Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-01-31
TOE HINDOO'S MIRROR.

One evening as l was taking short stroll
along pleasant path in tho suburbs of Cal
| cutta l suddenly heard a child's scream
Hurrying in the direction Of the sound saw,
| at the turn Of the path, little stream, with
little bridge thrown over il. Struggling in
the water under the bridge was a young child.
| The water was quite shallow, and by partly
wading aud swimming, l easily rescued the
child. As l gained the bank was met by a
Hindoo of grave aspect, who came up painting
aud thoroughly out Of breath He was the
father of the child, and his gratitude was
evidently heartfelt. Said he, Il thank you,
sir, and hope some day to be able 10 repay
| your
This was the beginning Of lasting friend
ship between us The Hindoo was a man of
eatIearning. 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 q Co., OF London NY
brother was the other Hawxhurst Of the firm,
while Withers g. Co. represented several gem
tlemen Of wealth and standing in the COM
mercial world, for our firm did a very ex-
tensive business
On Tuesday afternoon-ahl how well re-
member that day--a cablegram was put into
my hands just as was about to leave the
office Surprising that it had reference to
some important business transaction, I
opened it eagerly, but in an instant after
wards il fell futtering to the floor, while
sank into the nearest seat wholly unnerged:
"Come home at once. We fear that John
Hawxhurst is a defaulter.
"GEoRGE WITHERsr
g. u.
were deadl Ifelt like one in dream. But
there was the fatal message. This was no
dream. 1 rushed at once TO the shipping
office, and found that / could not leave for
London ia less than two days. It seemed
two centuries. And there was the long voy-
age home before I could learn any particu-
lars.
As was returning from the Office I met
my Hindoo friend He noticed at once there
was something unusual in my manner, but
with his usual grave courtesy refraiued from
asking any questions. l 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 l may now be able to repay you
for your former kindness. / might possibly
be able 70 put you out Of your suspense at
least. win you come with me to my house
to-nightm
/ readily accepted his invitation, though
his words sounded vague TO me and knew
not what he meant / accompanied him to
his residence, an elegant mansion luxuriOusly
furnished, and he ordered some light refresh
ment set before me, but l was too excited TO
eat. Noticing this be led me into an inner
| apartment lighted with perfumed lamps
breathing out strange odor, and gave strict
orders to his attendant that he was not 10 be
interrupted on any account.
He then seated me opposite a small, rather
duh looking mirror, saying;
"You would know your brothers. fateg'
II would.n
"Then look At these words he lighted
small brazer, 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. j looked inteutlv at the misty cloud
when / saw clearly before me, ON the face OF
the mirror the interior Of a railway car
riage It seemed 10 be coming TO a stand
still, as though nearing a railway station
| Everything was as distinct as though ! were
actually present. could even hear the voice
Of the guard as he called ont the station,
"Callingtonl1 The train was evidently stop
ping l now noticed that one Of the passen-
| gers icAAtu 70 the MlNAQN tAlIAIteA b1 cuiuo
one outside tapping thereon. As he did so be
slightly turned his head. Great heavensl 1t
was my brother.
The person outside beckoned to him to
come out on the platform. He did 20, and
was met by a rather short, thin man, with
clean shaven face, aud with nothing peculiar
about his appearance except a V shaped scar
on his chin. This man seemed to invite my
brother to accompany him, though ] could
hear no words. Finally my brother assented.
Tho small man led him out Of the lonely lit
tie station into the lonelier country. There
did not seem to be 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 head My brother
dropped asif shot, while the murderer stopped
over him and drew from his inner pocket a
largewallet apparently filled with bank bills.
The scene then gradually became indistinci,
and as l looked saw nothing but a small
mirror.
The Hindoo sat looking at me intently, but
as the pictures faded from che mirror be
started up and grasped my hard. my poor
friend,n was all Ire said, hut | knew that had
his heartfelt sympathy. He held a small
goblet to my lips, which eagerly drained.
The mass Of conflicting emotions in my
mind when awoke the next morning de-
spair Of putting into words. Relief at find
ing that my brother was not a defaulter was
succeeded by grief for his death, and that by
the stern desire Of vengeance upon the muir
derer
But two days later, as the ocean breeze
famed my brow on the deck Of the steamer,
the whole thing seemed like the widest dream
Of sorcery ] could come TO no conclusion at
all about the matter. At one time believed
firmly that what l had seen in the mirror was
a true record Of what had happened; but the
next moment the utter iInpossibility Of the
whole thing presented itself to my mind, and
rejected it all Us a sort Of dream.
The first person to meet me as I stepped
ashore was George Withers. rs il trueF
Yes be replied. I'VE arc forced 10 the con
p yictio.. that John Hawxhurst Is "A defauiter.
+: He left or london office with a large sum OF
money 70 invest in sono mining property IN