Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-01-04
TINE HINDOV'S MIRROR

YOU
This WAS the beginning Of lasting frssnd-
ship between Tbs Hindoo was man OF
great learning. His large, dome like forehead
and expressive eyes showed evidence OF
mighty Intellect, and found bis society ex
tremeiy interesting.
mad he-n in Calcutta some years or there
abouts g. resident partner OF the house Of
Hawxhurst. Witners & Co, Of London. Ny
brother was the other Ha wxhurst Of the firm,
while Withers & Co represented several gen
sIsrnen of wealth and standing in the com
merciAl world. for cur arD did . very ex
tensive business.
On Tuesday afternoon-ah! how we'll re-
member that day-a cAblegram was put into
my hands just a. Was about to leave the
Office. Surprising that it had reference to
some important business Transaction, !
OPENED it eagerly, but in An instant after
wards it fell dnttsring TO the floor. while !
Come home At once We fear that John
Hawxhurst is q defanlter
GEORGE WTTHERs-
Ny brother . defanlter. Better that he
were dead | felt like one in . dream But
there was the fatal message. This was no
dream. | rushed at once 70 the shipping
Office and found that could not leave for
London in les than two daya 1t seemed
two centuries And there was the long voy-
age home before could learn any part,cu
lars
As was returning from the ONCE inst
my Hindoo friend He noticed At once there
was something unusual in my manner, but
with his usual grave courtesy refrained from
asking any questions | at once told him cf
my trouble, however He listened atsentively
till | had finished and then with an indescFib-
able expression of corntenAnce aid:
Perhaps may now he able to repay you
for your former kindness. | might possibly
be able to put you out Of your suspense At
least Will you come with me to my houss
to-nightT'
l readily accepted his invitation. though
his words sounded vague to me and knew
not what he meant accompanied him to
his residence, All elegant mansion iuIuriously
furnished, and he ordered some light refresh
ment set before me. but WAS too excited to
eat Noticing this he led me into an inner
apartment lighted with perfuIned lamps
breathing out a strange odor, and gave strict
orders To his attendant that he was not TO be
interrupted on any account.
He then seated me Opposite . small, rather
dull looking mirror, saying
You would know your brothers fatey
Il would
Then look" At these words he lighted .
small brazier, yet it in front Of the mirror
and shook some sort Of powder over it.
A slight misty smoke Immediately arose
from the brazier and spread over the mir
ror. ! booked intently at the misty cloud,
when saw clearly before me, on the face Of
the mirror the interior OF q railway car
riage 1t seemed tn BE- coming TO . stand
still. though nearing a railway station
Everything was as distinct as though were
actually present. could even hear the voice
Of the guard he called out the station,
"Caliington' The train was evidently stop
ping now noticed that one of the passen-
gers leaned to the window attracted by some
one outside tapping thereon. As be did 70 b.
slightly turned his head. Great heavens! 1t
was my brother.
The person outside beckonei to him 70
come out on the platform. He did 70, and
was met by rather short, thin man, with
clean shaven face, and with nothing peculiar
about his appearance except . shaped scar
on his chin This man seemed TO invite my
brother tn accompany him, though I could
hear no words. Finally my brother aaented.
The small man led him out Of the lonely lit
| tie station into the lonelier country. There
did not seem to b any hAbitation within
miles. As they were passing under the shad-
ow Of . large tree he dropped behind my
brother and suddenly dealt him a terrible
blow on the hack Of the bead Ny brother
dropped as IL shot, while the murderer stopped
over him and drew from his inner pocket .
large wallet apparently filled with bank billa
The scene then gradually became indixainct,
and As ! looked I saw nothing but . small
mirror.
The Hindoo sat looking At me intantly, bat
as the pictures faded from the mirror be
started up and grasped my hand. My poor
friend was all he said, but knew that had
his heartfelt sympathy He held q small
goblet to my lips, which l eagerly drainsd
The next moment | was unennacious
The mass Of conflicting emotions in my
mind when | awoke the next morning de-
spair Of putting into woriA Relief at find
ing that my brother was not defaulter was
| succeeded by grief for mis- death, and that by
the stern desire Of vengeance upon The mur-
derer
But two days later, Is the ocean bresee
famed my brow on the deck Of the steamer,
the whole thing seemed like the widest dream
OF SDTFefN- fOuH COfne 10 DO FOnCiu8lOO AZ
| all about the matter. At one time believed
firmly that what had seen in the mirror was
| a true record Of what had happened but the
next moment the utter imposibility Of the
whole thing presented itself to my mind. and
rejected it all as . sort Of dream.
The first person 10 meet me Is stepped
| ashore was George Wi.hers is it truef'
Yes" be replied. We are forced TO the con
Sk.S IL IL
He left our London Office with a large sum Of
money to invest in some mining property in
Cornwall He has never besn seen since, bat
We believe that he must have gone at onee 70
America avs
l accompanied Mr.. Withers 10 our London
office. We went through the outer rooms
filled with busy clerks, Who looked At me in
quiringly as We passed. and George withsrs
vas just about to opsn the private once
when the knob was turned from within, and
the man whom bad seen meet my brothsr
At Callington. stood before rs,
felt an almost ungorernAble impulse to
spring upon him like tiger, but controlling
myself by strong effort, stood aside while
be passed us, and then followed George
Withers into the private once He then
gave me the Particular regarding nv
brother John. II seems that the company
had determined on making some heavy in
vestments in Cornwall. and John had BEEN
deputed to 60 there with some ESQ. 900 to
make the payments. He was to have taken
the O'Clock train out q London On the
afternoon of March i3 He left the ofice At
about O'Clock, and nons Of the firm bad
seen nun since Their suapicions had hrst
been aroused by the receipt Of letter. from
their Cornwall correspondent inquirine Why
John Hawxhunt had not met them y Der
Agrssmant. They bad Immediately insei-
tused inquiries. but the closest search had
failed to find the missing man Robbery
vas not suspected, Is no one bat the mem
oeFs OF the firm knew Of the circumstances
The natural conclusion had been that be tsd
taken the money and gone to America.
wi no Is that man who opened the door a
we came inr' inquired Nr. witherx looked
At me in surprise, bat be said, ..Thats our
bead bookkeeper. He came to u highly ~
ommended Just after you had left for India
bis name is Cameron
l thought moment then aid: VIII vou
give me Mr. Cameron's address and eaeae,
to keep him busy At the ofRcs te-uiehsg'
Yes, certainty
And will you call Q special mseeinr Of all
the member Of the firm for to-morro~ morn
ing II l0r'
"fes, certainly" Mr. wishsrs CAV. hi,
a1snt in mechanical sort Of vsy He
looked At me a. though be doubted whether
l vas in full ponMinn Of ny aens.a: but l
sid no more
With Mr.. CamefoaS addruD nosed IN nv
poekstbonk. vent At once to . detective. an
% fnsnd OF mana. Ny paan' ~ 70 s,arch
Camsron's room thoroughly for IL vallse q
oAnk bills RAieA b ~ s6uasa fruu nv
hsoeAr. II could eos ind eAss I -.
nsnsd 70 cAags hin viA IL nwA~ \