Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-02-14
TINl HINDOO'S MIRROR.

TIll HlNDOVS MIRROR.
One evening as I was taking a short stroll
along pleasant path in the suburbs of Cal
cutta I suddenly heard child's scream.
Hurrying in the direction of the sound saw,
at the turn of the path, a little stream, with
a little bridge thrown over it. Struggling in
the water under the bridge was young child.
The water was quite shallow, and by partly
wading and swimming, easily rescued the
child As gained the bank was met by a
Hindoo of grave aspect, who came up painting
and thoroughly out of breath. He was the
father of the child, and his gratitude was
evidently heartfelt. Said he, 81 thank you,
sir, and hope some day to be able to repay
you"
This was the beginning of a lasting friend
ship between us. The Hindoo was man of
great learning. His large, dome like forehead
and expressive eyes showed evidence of a
mighty intellect; and found his society ex-
tremely interesting.
had been in Calcutta some years or there
abouts as resident partner of the house of
Hawxhurst, Withers & Co., of London. Ny
brother was the other Hawxhurst of the firm,
while Withers & Co. represented several gen
tlemen of wealth and standing in the COM
mercial world, for our firm did a very ex-
tensive business
On Tuesday afternoon-ah! how well re-
member that day-a cablegram was put into
my hands just as I was about to leave the
Office. Supposing that it had reference to
some important business transaction, I
opened it eagerly, but in an instant after
wards it fell futtering to the floor, while l
sank into the nearest seat wholly unnerved:
stCome home at once. We fear that John
Hawxhurst is defaulter.
GEORGE WITHERs"
Ny brother defaulterl Better that he
were dead I felt like one in a dream. But
there was the fatal message. This was no
dream. l rushed at once to the shipping
office, and found that could not leave for
London in less than two days. 1t seemed
two centuries. And there was the long voy
age home before could learn any particu-
lars.
As was returning from the Office I met
nv 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 of
my trouble, however. He listened attentively
till had finished and then with an indescrib-
able expression of countenance said:
"Perhaps may now be able to repay you
for your former kindness. I might possibly
be able to put you out of your suspense at
least. Will you come with me to my house
to-nighta"
I readily accepted his invitation, though
his words sounded vague to me and l knew
not what he meant. I accompanied him to
his residence, an elegant mansion luxuriously
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 perfumed lamps
breathing cut 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 fate?"
~ would"
"Then look" At these words he lighted a
small brazier, set 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. I looked intently at the misty cloud
when saw clearly before me, on the face Of
tbe mi,-ror, the interior of railway car
rage. 1t Ss-elleu w 10 SoaiAios5 w ~ 0o..A
still, as though nearing railway station
Everything was as distinct as though Were
actually present. Ico,ld even hear the voice
of the guard as he cale.ed out the statlon
''Callingtonr' The train WIS eV1dently stop
ping. now noticed that one q uhe Passen
gers leaned to the window attractea py soli'
one outside tapping thereon. AS he dn so o.
slightly turned his head. Great heavens! l
was my brother.
The person outside beckoned to him tt
come out on the platform. He did SO, anc
was met by rather short, thin man, witt
clean shaven face, and with nothing peculiar
about his appearance except V shaped seal
on his chin. This man seemed to invite my
brother to accompany him, though l coul6
hear no words. Finally my brother assented
The small man led him out of the lonely lit
tie station into the ionelier country. Their
lid not seem to be any habitation within
m Ties. As they were passing under the shad
ow of a large tree he dropped behind m.
bro, her and suddenly dealt him terrible
blow ON the back of the head. My brcthe
dropp ed asif shot, while the murderer stoope'
over h, m and drew from his inner pocket
large W sllet apparently filed with bank bills
The scene then gradually became indistinct
and as looked saw nothing but smal
mirror.
The HinGloo sat looking at me intently, bu
as the pictures faded from the mirror
started up and grasped my hiald. MY poo
friend" was all he said- but I knew thatl ha
his heartfelt sympathy He held SINAI
goblet to my lips, which ! eagerly drained
The next moment I was unconscious
The mass of conflicting emotions In m
mind when awoke the next morning dc
spair of putting into words. Relief at lind
ing that my brother was not a defaulter wa
succeeded by grief for his death, and that b.
the stern desire of vengeance upon the mu1
derer.
But two days later, as the ocean breez
famed my brow on the deck Of the steamer
the whole thing seemed like the widest dreaf
of sorcerv, I could come to no conclusion
all about the matter. At one time believe
firmly that what had seen in the mirror wa
a true record of what had happened but til
next moment the utter impossibildy OF th
whole thing presented itself to my mind an
Ireiected it all as sort of dream
The first person to meet me as steppe'
ashore was George Withers. SIS it trues
"Yes.n he replied, 1--WE are forced to the COZ
FICTION that John Hawxhurst is a defaultes
:. de left our London office with large sum
money to invest in some mining property
Cornwall. He has never Been seen since, bu
we believe that be must have gone ut once t
| America.
| accompanied Mr.. Withers to our Londo
office. We went through the QUITE" room
| filed with busy clerks, who looked at me II
ouiringIy as we passed, and George Withel
was lust about to open the private ofhe
| when the knob was turned from within, an
the man whom / had seen meet my brothe
at Callington, stood before us!
I felt an almost ungovernable impulse
spring upon him like tiger, but controliin
! myself by a strong effort, 1 stood aside VIII
be passed US. and then followed Geors
Withers into the private office. He the
gave me the particulars regarding n
brother John. 1t seems that the compal
| had determined on making come heavy Il
vestments in Cornwall, and John bad bet
deputed to go there with some eso,0W
make the payments He was to have TAX.
the 5 o'clock train out of London on tt
afternoon of March Is. He left the office
about 4 o'clock. ard none OF the firm NJ