Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-24
the .oTtsning Of tho sergcants msnner


where my sons widow lives, aud see IL
you can indnce her to accept help. She
refused it from me yesterday, but she
was wild with despair. She may be
calmer aud more reasonable to-day. I'm
too weak and-and nervous TO see her
again myself"
" Yes, SIR" answered the old clerk.
The change in the Sergeant was
amazing to John Mundie. aud pathetic,
too. He felt deeply for that man, whom
he had 20 long known as proud, strong,
and arbitrary, and whom he now saw so
soft and feeble. he could well imagine
how fearful the suffering must have been
which had wrought such revolution.
In the evening the old clerk came back
TO the 5ergeant's resident chambers. In
reply to his masters inquiries he told
him that his sons widow had become so
i'll that there was danger OF her speedy
death. He had had her removed to the
ho.pital and had taken the child home
to his Own wife.
"Jobn," said the old lawyer, "you
have been kinder to my own flesh and
blood Il an | have been. Heaven bless
you for 1t Blessed are the merciful
for they shall have mercy You can
sleep in Charl--in the vacant room,
John, and leave your door open so as to
hear me If call"
eyes, sir, said John, and walked off
10 the old room, which poor Charlie,
when he vas at home, used TO occupy.
That night, as on the previous one,
the old LAWYER placed himself in his
easy chair before the fire and gave up
his mind to the terrible occurrences Of
the two previous days and nights. lie
had endeavored to divert his thoughts
10 something else, with very scant sue
cess, but rs the evening came on he
ceased to struggle. He felt that it was
useless, ana that for the present nothing
else could occupy his attention.
Though worn out in misery and
fatigue, he never for a moment slept.
There lie sat, silent and motionless as a
statue, but with his eyes open and his
ears alert.
As the dreaded hour OF the night-at
which his son paid him that last sad
visit-drew near, he began to feel sensa-
tons OF terror and apprehension coming
over him once more. From the moment
the great old clock struck his eyes
never for On instant left its face. He
watched the minute hard slowly making
the revolution Of the dial, and as it drew
closer and closer to the fatal hour his
excitement grew greater and greater,
until it was sgonlzing.
At last only five minutes remained.
Tick tick, tick tick Slowly and more
slowly the moments seemed to pass.
He watched and watched, but the hand
seemed stationary 1t seemed to take
an hour but at last it reached 3. Now,
breathless with excitement, trembling
with anticipation. he watched it creep
on to ,.
" Zap, tap, tap, sounded suddenly on
the outside door.
With fac blsnched and convulsed
with terror the old lawyer sprang to his
feet and tried to call John. His throat
and lps we're so parched that they could
make no sound. lie tried once, he tried
twice. With mind and body both
paralyzed be stood there unable to speak
or move.
~ denly the great old clock in the
corner chimed out the hour loud and
clear 1t struck H.. Then, gasping and
quivering. the Sergeant found his voice.
John" he called out hoarsely, II
think ! heard knock at the door. See
if there's any one there"
Yes, sir, responded Johns voice.
The Sergeant heard the old clerk come
out Of his room and open the door, A
moment aiterward he came into the sit
ting room.
"No, SIR" he said, "there's no one
there.
"Thank you" answered the old law
yer, trying vainly to control the trembling
OF his voice. ~ must have been mis-
taken"
Another night passed-a night OF ter
ror and agony for the old lawyer. bis
nerves had got thoroughly unstrung and
he could not sleep or rest. Once, worn
out with fatigue. he had dozed for a mo-
ment in his chair. In that moment
fearful siaion came before his sleeping
eyes His dead son as he had seen him,
stark and cold, rose up before him. The
phantom, though dead, was alive, for it
raised It's clammy hand and pointed re-
proachfuily at him. he awoke with a
scream OF terror, which brought the
trembling CLERK hurrying into the room.
During the following day Sergeant
Stronge recovered some Of his old |
strength and calmness. This was caused !
partly by the good news he heard and !
partly 10y the good act he did. he heard |
that his sons widow was progressing ia
yorably. and that now there was great |
hope Of her ultimate recovery. He gave
directions that every care and comfort |
thst money could secure should be
given to her. Then he did what APP |
peared to him now in the light of an act !
OF repsrition. He executed will in
favor OF his sons widow and child. fave |
one thousand pounds given to his clerk |
and i've hundred given to his laundress,
ali bis immense fortune ne bequeathed |
for their benefit
His calmness, however. was not go
strong as to be quite proof against any
trial As night approached so much OF
his old nervousness and terror came back |
upon him as to make him think it wise
TO request john again to stop overnight
at his chamber.
again the old lawyer seated himself
before the fire. and again, as the hour OF
10 approached, he watched the great old
clock. But this time he had his nerves
under better control than before. he
felt deeply excited, it is true, bat his
will, strong once more, kept the excite
ment in check. lie was resolved that |
he should not, that night, let any delu-
sions OF his Imagination run away with |
his reason.
tie watched the clock with close atten-
ton. Gradually the minute hand made
the revolution of the dial; his excite
ment grew as it approached the hour. 1t
was now ten minutes to 10. 1t was now
five minutes-now four-now three
now two
Tap, tap. tap" sounded suddenly
from the outside door. He heard the
knocking clearly and distinctly.
FOR moment or two the old lawyers |
terror was too much for him. He stood |