The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1886-12-12
AN ESCAPED LUNATIC.
~Who on earth2"

A little old man, with huge valise, was
coming down it.
HES pointing right here, said Rufus
Bissel
The old man came on slowly, paused be
fore the ne;ghbors, sat down his valise and
scar he'd their faces with sharp, good
humored eyes.
"Dop't you KNOW me, boys?' he said
The ''boys" looked puzzled,
"Makes me think of Joel Toby, l de-
clare for itl' said Mr., stoker at last.
sJust what 1 was thinking" said Mr.
Bissel.
"a man that used to keep store here, !"
Mr.. Stoker explained. ''Bissel and l
clerked for him one Winter Twenty-Five
wears ago, it was. He went West"
s'Don't say so?'l said the old man, with
a chuckle. "Well-he's come back"
There was chorusof ordinations and
a hearty hand shaking
..'Of course you'll put up with me?" said
Mr. Stoker, Hospitality. my wife, Sarah
Burt that was, she'll be glad to give you a
bed
ssYou'll be more than welcome at my
house" said Mr.. Bissel, beam:ngly.
"Im calculating 10 stay week, said
the old man. 'I'.l divide it between you.
can't spare more than week-can't
leave my business minute longer.
swell, begin with me, said Mr.. Stoker,
cordially, and lie dragged him towards the
house
A pretty, dark-eyed girl opened the
Stoker, proudly. "And my wife, " he adj
ded, indicating the motherly woman adj
vancing 10 meet them.
There were two chairs by the fire and
pitcher of cider in the cupboard.
Things have gone along pretty slow
with Bissel and me-" said Mr.. Stoker,
wiping his mouth and leaning forward to
poke up the Goals. We've lived along
side of each other for twenty-five years
without anything happening to speak of.
Just now, to be sure, we're rather looking
sor something Bissel's son, Wallace, has
come home frem college lately, and he
and my girl there have taken a regular
shine to each other. No telling whatll
come of it. And how's the Wesl?"
The old mans face grew animated.
WELL" be said, complacenty; ''silver
INNINGS rather more paying than store
keeping"
what have you been doing all these
years7" asked Mr. Stoker
'!Slvcr mining responded his guest.
We been at it for years, Stoker; ana I've
made my pile. | could buy up this town
and fifty like iiW
Good gracious, Tobeyl" gasped his
nearer. And he sat with open-mouthed
wonder while Tobey, with bis wrinkled
face aglow, described bis mine and the
manner in which he had struck"
There's one thing that troubles me con-
siderable" Tobey concluded. II hain't
relative in the world, Stoker-not one!
And the question is, what's going TO be-
come of my money? 1t worries me-"
You don't say?" said Mr.. stoker, sym
pathetieally.
There was pause.
..See here, Stoker," said the old man,
bringing his fist down on the table sud-
denly; you're, as good friend as I've |
got. | knew you when you was boy, |
Stok~r. See here, why shouldn't you have
my money!"
Mr.. Stoker, having no satisfactory rea-
son at hand, was silent.
II 5 4 bargain" said Tobey, with en-
ergy you're the man, Ssoker. feel
it. You're deserving of it, Stoker and
you shall have It'll No, you needn't say
word not a word I've made up my
mind"
And Tobey drained his mug with a be-
nevol+ Mt smile.
When MIR. Bissel came over that even
ing-sis son Wallace bad arrived full
hour before and was talking to Jenny in a
corner-he noted change in his friend
and neiehbor.
Mr.. Stoker was excited. He paced the
room 1ecklessly while Tobey and Mr.. Bis
sci talked over cd times by the fire; and
tie few remarks he addressed to the latter
were vaguely patronizing.
Mr.. Bissel was puzz ed; but he went
home without discovering a clue to the
mystery, leaving Wallace still absorbed in
pretty Jenny Sloker.
The Old man came down stairs next
morning with his big yalse humping after
him.
Thought I'd give Bissel turn to-day,
he explained. sand see here, Stoker.
he added, confideniially, Il wouldn't say
anything to Bissel, if was in your place,
about that little plan of mine. 1t might
make hard feelings"
''Just SO, just 50. said Mr.. stoker, APP
provingly.
When he settled himself against the
fence that afternoon, therefore, for
friendly chat with Mr.. Bissel in like atti-
tude on his side of it, it was with per-
ceptibly increased condescensioa in his
manner.
If he had been in the mood for observ-
ing he might have seen that Mr.. Bissel's
demeanor had also undergone a chauge. 4
But the fact escaped his notice.
"Curious, wasn't it, Tobey lighting
down so sudden?" Mr.. Bissel remarked.
Mr.. Stoker assepted.
'sBeen doing wonderfully well out
West" Mr.. Bissel pursued. Got silver