Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-12-19
CHAPTER XVI.
A MESSAGE FROM THE GRAVE.

herself.
CHAPTER XVI.
A MESSAGE FROM THE GRAVE
Giles Brockle urged his workmen on.
He set them the example at times by
jumping down into their midst and
seizing piece of timber and pulling it
out by main force. At another time he
would WELD an ak and hew the great
beams and limbs of trees that formed q
network in his path. He made great
headway.
As evening came on apace he grew
restive. The door was barely in view.
He must have it uncovered. He resolved
to enter thar night.
1t was impossible to effect an entrance
through the floor above the safe. 1t was
a mass of debris and earth. Otherwise
he would have got at the safe by cutting
hole over it in the floor.
He prevailed upon number of the
workingmen to assist him after supper,
by promising extraordinary wages.
He was not interfered with by Squire
Jepson or Enoch Broadhurst. Neither
approached him. Jerrold also avoided
him. He had it all his own way now.
The absence of these men emboldened
him. He obtained quantity of brandy,
and imbibed freely. He was in mood
to fight one or hundred when the work.
men resumed their labor late in the even
ing.
Giles experienced considerable diff
Guilty in providing light. At last this
obstacle was surmounted, and he sat over
his workmen in the sickly glare Of the
light, experimenting their movements.
The workmen suddenly encountered an
unexpected obstacle. 1t was a mass Of
iron, seemingly, that was lying right op-
posite the door he resolved to enter that
night.
dig round it! Pick it up. Don't
stand in each others road there like
fools" Giles Brockle exclaimed, angrily.
The workmen explained that it was i'm
possible to lift it.
What is it? A beam of an iron bridget
You are pack of numb-skulls. 1t might
be a rail. Uncover it. Let US see what
it looks like"
At that instant some one touched Giles
shoulder.
He turned around angrily.
What do you want, Harkess?"
It was 81, who stood hat in hand, as
was his wont when addressing his su-
periors.
Use brought yo' message. Mars
Brockle.
"Who from? Not from Jepson. Jepson
can go to the devil.
mo, faint from Squire Jepson," said
ST Harkess, Strengthening himself sud-
denly, and looking at Giles angrily.
Its from Broadhurst, then. He can
60 to the devil too = they can both go; you
tell them said so, 81.
Il Inebber carried bad answers in my
life-mos' too late to learn now, Mars
Brockle. You can spress yo'self fo' dem
two yo' sent to de debbil"
@Who the devil sent you here then, you
stupid2"
Mars Rutledge."
"Rutledge!" Giles Brockle's face
turned deathly white. He stared at the
negro vacantly, then put a hand to his
throat. He was choking He could not
speak. He shook his head furiously,
sprang out of the hole in the debris he
was sitting in, and confronted ST Hark-
ess. When he was able to speak his eyes
famed.
"Its trick, shallow trick! You lie
Who told you to come here with that
message?"
"Doan call me liar! 81 Harkess ain't
no liar, Mars Brockle, an I won't low
you to talk dat way nohow."
who sent you to me?"
Il done tole you Mars Rutledge-M
James Rutledge, he say-dat's his name.
| He brudder to de man dat's dead!"
"Pooh!" Giles recovered himself in ar "
instant. "Why didn't you say SO at irst?'
| J,,'A -
| few up an cali me liar"
What does he want? I'm busy now,
you see. Why didn't he come to see me
| himself?"
Amt dat what I gwine to tole yo'
OATS what he say. 'Yo' please find Mr.
Brockle, Mr.. Harkess, he said, Mr.
Harkess-'an' tell him want to speak tc
him bout specially important business
n eff Mr.. Brockle can't come to me-to d.
Alma HalP-dat's whar he is now-'why
den I'll go an see Mr.. Brockle.' Dat'i
de message. Doan see what yo' goin
fyin' up dat way at man for. Use ne
mo- to say-goin'."
And 81 strobe off in high dudgeon.
What the devil does James Rutledge
want with me? Anyway, he'll come tC
see me. I'm going to stay right here un
til get into that safe of Tom Peters
Why don't you get that thing out Of you
way, men?"
ITS not easy. Seems to be big piec,
of iron or steel.
It's as like to be q stone"
you can Jump in here and feel it. Pu
your hand iu between these timbers ant
you'll not say it's stone," said work
man, testify.
Giles jumped into the opening in tn
debris. He thrust his hand down AM
withdrew it with an oath.
1T is iron. Curse it all. Here, di
around it. I'll double your pay. mus
get in there tonight Work ahead, men
Pitch in lively now"
And once more Giles set them the ex
ample.
FRO BE CONTINUED
| A Journalistic phAnOmeOOn.