Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-02-25


Now betting was the old kllow's one
weakness, and Mr.. Gordon hsd heard Of il.
He seldom refused be:, and being cautious,
was usually successful When he lost no
one ever heard Of IT,
Monsieur, You ask il | bet" he cried.
YES. sar. and dey can tell you old Pierre
neyaire lcse he bet"
We'll, | lose oflener than win, bu, |
will bet, for all that, whenever have
chance. Now I'd like 10 make bet with
You before We part l bet $50 you can't
stand before that clock for half an hour,
moving your arm up and down with the
motion Of the pendulum. and saying, Here
she goes up, here she goes down. with ey-
cry movement"
~Bat. den, you has fifty dollar to tro,s
away cried old Pierre. astounded. II
can vim your fifty dollar. as easy as dat. =
swapping his fingers dcrisively. Monsieur,
are you craZee or Won faol:"
Neither, think; but Won mus, rcmem.
Der that if You miss one movement of the
pendulum or miss saying the worls, You
lose. Nor must You utter another syllable
but those have told you."
"Ah, mon dieu, but il issof de simplest" =:
the old man chuckled, going 10 a box in the
corner of the rnom, which he unlocked and
took out some bank notes. Here, | put
my fifty dollar on de corner nf dc mantcl.
and you put yours. lfyou vas not ped
dler would not make bet lik dat. but va,
for Your fifty dollar. l am ready. Gif de
signal"
Mr.. Gordon looked at the old man. short,
fat, red-faccd, and fairly trembling with ea-
gerness 10 clutch the peddler's shekels. He
stood before the clock, his short legs far
apart, and waiting impa,icntly for the sig
nal. Gordon, few steps behind him, with
his watch open in his hand. gave it,
Here she go up, here she 90 down." he
cried excitedly, and for five minutes nothing
was heard but the rythmical swing of the
pendulum and the monotonous chant
Then came an interruption in the person Of
Nine. Lafont
Pierre Pierre - she cried. looking in
the door. Here's Jean Baptiste Levois at
the gate. He hasn't time to get down from
his pony, but says thou must come out He
wants to buy the big bay horse, and he's
brought the money. But. Pierre, wha. art
thou doing with thine arms and what art
thou saying there?" She came hastily into
the room.
Here she go up. here she go down" and
old Pierre's red face became more apoplectic
than ever.
Grand Dieu but what. then, is the mat.
ter:'
Here she 60 Up, here she go down." In a
hoarse voice.
"Sainte Marie art thou mad :" She
turned her terrified eyes on Gordon, who,
with a pitying look. tapped his forehead
Nine. Lafont understood him. and shrieked
aloud.
He is then crazy. my poor Pierre " She
burst into tears and wrung her hands. "Oh.
I told You money would drive you mad.
Alphonse Alphonse! Look, mon garcon.
At your poor papa. He Is mad" She fell
on her knees and clasped her husbands
stout legs.
Here she go up. here she 60 down." in
almost shrek; and Gordon began to fear
an attack Of apoplexy, the old man became
so purple.
Hear the horrible words" shrieked Msne
Lafont II see his poor arms. Oh, Alphonse
he Is dangerous. You and Jean Baptiste
must secure him and put him to bed, and
60 for DR.. Braille to bleed him"
Here she 60 up, here she 60 down." in
such voice of fury that Nine. Lafont gave
how! Of terror, and Alphonse and Jear
Bap'iste threw themselves upon the mad
,aaa.
He kicked as them 20 vigorously that Al
phonse. white With terror. measured hi
length on the aoor; but alas old Pisrrt
himself lost his balance and fe!! in the s.ou
grasp Of Jean Baps!sse.
"Les me 90, socl" he shouted. "I'!
crazy you. You've made me lose Aisy dol
lar"
With sudden movement Of rage he tori
the clock from the mantel and shivered 1
70 atoms on the hearth, and then sat fat OF
the foor, the perspiration streaming dowr
his face and his eyes flashing rage and de
hance.
His beautiful clock he loved % much ?
sobbed Mime. Laiont "Ah, grand Disu
how crazy he iP"
You've los, by Ave minutes, Mr. Lasnn..
Gordon said, smiling pleasantly. II sup
pose you've no objection to my taking m!
winnings" and he swept the money from
the mAntel to his pocket
"Sortez~ old Lafoni said, rising 70 hi
feet with actual murder in his eyes; ans
Gordon did not pause for further leave-ta
kiIg.-M. B. Williams In Times Democra;
Il