Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-06-20
a MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE


Verbruggen's. / spent the afternoon
there the other day, and you could
not perceive a single inch of the
walls. There were book shelves on
every side book shelves jutted out
into the room itself and upon many
of the shelves the books were ranged
two deep-and such books Never in
my life did | feel so feloniously in
clined as upon the occasion of my
visit to Verbruggen.
IF l We're you, ", said, Il should
search my visitors when bade them
goodby."
He only laughed good naturedly
and then he calmly offered to lend me
any book might take a fancy TO.
Of course / refused, because il | bor-
rowed one Of Verbruggen's books |
should certainly never return it TO
him. There are circumstances, you
know, in which one cannot trust ones
self, and to read one of Verbruggen' s
books without injuring the volume,
one would have TO wear surplice
and new pair of white kid gloves.
japanese paper, type which does
not make ones eyes water but does
make ones mouth do so, margin,
rough edges, fooled bindings, etc.
gloated over all these things, feasted
my eyes upon original etchings and
inserted engravings on China paper,
till light failed us; and then we sat
on either side of the comfortable fire
place and talked about the books till
the clock struck 6. | dine at half
past 7, and rose togo, but Verbrug-
gen would not permit my departure
without something to keep the cold
out, and he gave Inc glass OF virgin
sherry which was particularly deli
cious.
But he helped himself from another
decanter.
did not say anything, but some
how or other resented it, and having
finished my sherry, l stretched out
my hand toward that special decanter
Of his. He is very old friend, so |
could do it without offence; but to
my astonishment, he calmly pushed
it out of my reach.
"a visitor / had, .Pumper," re-
marked Verbruggen, "once tried that
special tipple of mine-he had reason
to repent it,
was puzzled; curiosity is my mas
ter passion. l looked at my watch;
had got ten minutes to spare. Give
me the story, "" l said.
He helped himself to another glass
drank it off, and smacked his lips.
The fact is" said Verbruggen,
1.-The stuff you see in the decanter is
laudanum, made from the very best
Turkey opium"
Shade of Thomas De Quincy! |
stared at Verbruggen in horror.
You needn't worry yourself, Pun
per- he said, very calmly; poor Viii.
kie Collins had to do it. and he at
tanned a good old age. I'm quite capa-
BILE of taking care Of myself And
now I'll tell you the story, and Ill
cut it as short as possible. Lauda-
nun, my friend, as you are aware
has a peculiarly nasty taste. This
stuff Of mine is highly favored with
Seville orange peel and it's sweetened
to the palate so it resembles cura-
co. 1t was year and half ago. |
was sitting smoking here, about an
hour after midnight, this decanter
was on the table in front OF me. |
had just received an early copy of the
suppressed works Of certain Eliza
beth and poets. read every book,
sir, before placed it on my shelves,
said Verbruggen; ''and at that mo-
ment l was deeply interested in what
was about. Suddenly l heard the
door of the room open. | looked up,
and saw a powerful ruffian-a burg
lar evidently; short crowbar was in
one hand, and with the raised fore
finger Of the other he imposed silence
upon HE.
"Guv'nor, said the man to me in
a hoarse whisper, IF you kick up a
row, Ill Train ye.'
Il am siIty-five. l had no inten'
tion whatever of kicking up row.
knew perfectly well that | should
have no chance in struggle with al
armed burglar. determined TO grin
/ and bear it.
Wont you be seatedf'' | said tc
my nocturnal visitor, motioning hin
to the easy chair which you now
/ adorn.
The man grinned "Guv nor, he
said. Il want yer watch and vel
money, and yer plate and valyables
But fust, my pippin, I'll have drink
with We, just TO show there's no IL
feeling" And then he seized the de
canter, poured himself out a glas'
and swallowed it at dIaught. H'
smacked his lips, wiped his mouth
with the back of his hand, and theI
he made a wry face. If that's We
favorite poison, guv'nor, don't thinl
much of it." he said. And now wei
get to business. I'll trouble we for We
watch"
| ssMv friend answered. as place,