The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-11-16
THE MISER'S DREAM.

AtS pluCueu OutllueS huu eager CA
pressions. In hi, slouching gait and
whole appearances. They would
have read it still more closely in the
room which he occupied-bare of
everything but the most absolute
necessaries. A couple of old wooden
chairs, table standing on three legs
and a rude betlstead. constituted
nearly all the furniture he possessed.
His housekeeping was on the most
inexpensive scale. He boarded him
self, and the man worth thirty thou.
sand dollars Jared worse than his
poorest tenants.
Peter's wealth consisted almost en-.
tirely In tenement houses, of which
he owned a number, and which, in
proportion to their value. brought in
large income. 1t was questionable
how much good all this did to Peter.
since his personal expenses scarcely
exceeded one-tWentieth of his in
come. What remained he either in
vested in additional houses or hoard
ed up in an old chest, which he kept
securely locked under his bed.
It was the last dav of December ;
tomorrow would be quarter day.
Peter sat in his miserable room shiy
ering, in spite of his cloak which he
had worn time out of mind. He had
no fire. As it was six in the evening.
and he usually went to bed at eight,
he preferred to shlver for two hours
rather than incur the expense of a
fire.
Peter was jubilant with thoughts of
the money he would collect on the
morrow from his tenants. He drew
out his strong box from lis accus-
toned receptacle and counted for the
hundredth time the glittering gold
coins with which it was filled.
1.-Two thousand three hundred and
seventy.f1ve," he exclaimed. with
satisfaction. az he flushed the count;
land tomorrow will make it nigh
upon three thousand. All, what a
fine thing it is to have money. Mon
ey is powerful thing. All. little do
they think that see the old man in
his threadbore clothes how much he
has to make him happy"
Peter was really happy, after his
fashion, yet he was never quite con-
tent.
eff it were only five thousand"
he continued. show fine it would be.
But it will be in year or two. /
must be more economical"
1t would be hard to tell how Peter
could easily be more economical than
he was now: and he tortured his
fancy to devise some means of re-
trenchment without thinking of any.
cit costs me a sight to i've" he
sighed-''a sight. If could only live
as cheap as they say one can in China
for a cent a day-it would help me
greatly"
Peter locked up his chest carefully.
and pushed it back under the bed.
He then sat down, folding his cloak
closely about him. waiting until he
should hear the city bells strike the
hour offs, his usual bed time.
But Peter was more tired and
drowsy than he imagined. He be-
gan to nod. ana perhaps it was the
influence of the cold. He soon drop
ped to sleep In his chair, with his
head resting on his hands. Then a
dream came to him which was DIES.
tined to change the whole tenor of
his life.
1t seemed to him that he was sit.
ting in his room as usual. The door
was suddenly opened, and dark fig-
ure of a threatening appearance en-
tered. Peter was terrified, as he
might well be, since the door, he
knew. was locked. and vet the visitor
entered as if there was no obstruc.
ton.
"Who are you ?" he faltered, eye
ing the unknown, "Haye you come
to rob me?"
"Of what?"
"Of my-my money-thatis is, what
little haye."
"And If l should it would be of no
service to me-"
"Oh !" said Peter, treasured. "then
I am ready 10 hear your business"
IT have come for you," was the
answer.
"For me ?" again repeated Peter.
terrified.
EYES,"
"What for ?"
"You may guess what for when
tell you who am"
"Who are you ?" asked Peter, more
and more uneasy.
II am the angel of death, )" said the
intruder, solemnly.
Peter nearly jumped from his chair
In alright,