Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-11-07
WHINSTONES VISITOR.

To get money and to keep it, accord
ing to Richard Whinstone's catechism,
were the two chief ends of man. He was
q single man on principle. 1t was the
right thing economically, and therefore
right indubitably. To one person in the
world Richard Whinstone was generous,
and that was his dear friend-Richard
Whinstone.
Richard Whinstone had done a good
days work. He had made one or two
profitable bargains; he had sold up the
Widow Marten, and turned her and her
six children out of doors for nonpayment
of rent; and, finally, had read little
boy, with pinched and pitiful face, who
had besought the price of loaf of bread
and who said he had sick mother at
home, lecture on the sinfulness of beg
ging, that evidently touched the little
wretch's conscience, for he turned aside
and wept bitterly.
you're good citizen, Dick" he said,
as he sat down to dinner, land deserve
to be rewarded"
+ The dinner was one after his own
heart. 1t was treat he had promised
himself if things went right, and they
had gone right. He ate, drank and was
merry. If his appetite lost its edge, the
bottle of burgundy was there to whet
it, and he fell to again, till the last NOR
sci, like Macbeth's amen, stuck in his
throat.
Safety normally begets placidity. The
lion, the leopard and the lamb might lie
down together any day, with perfect
safety to the latter-provided the two
former had their bellies full The boa
constructor, gorged with an OK. betakes
himself. for season, to life of quiet.
But the effect on Richard Whinstone was
different. The expense of whole suck
ing pig, wallowing in wine, rested heav-
lily on his conscience, and his brain be-
gan to busy itself with schemes of reim-
bursement.
The current of his thoughts was inter
rupted by loud knock. Who could be
coming on business at that hour? Some
one, perhaps, with bill to discount in
an emergency that would bear no wait
ing. So much the better, and he has
tened to open the door.
"How are you, DickY' the stranger
greeted him, with familiarity altogeth-
er too careless for a needy customer.
81 have not the pleasure of your &C.
quaintance, sir" said Richard, in tone
more freezing than polite.
"But know you very well, returned
the stranger; "and pray don't let us
stand here bandying ceremonies. for it's
confounded chilly;" saying which, he led
the way to the apartment Richard had
Just quilted. "Well, this is comfort, "
he continued, rubbing his hands before
the fire. "Ihaven't felt so much at home
since left there"
A hasty survey Of his visitor added
alarm to Richards astouishment. He
was wiry, i'll looking little man, in a
rusty suit of black, with a wicked leer
on his face and one clubfoot.
IL say, Dick" the little man resumed,
holding his hands in the blaze as if they
were fireproof. what an inhospitable
dog you are!'
whether hospitable or inhospitable, "
growled Richard, losing his temper as he
gained his courage, ''is not your bust
ness, but would like to know what is.
"Its bad talking business on an empty
stomach"
II don't see how it's to be helped" an
swered Dick, doggedly.
Don't see how it's to be helped, yor
curmudgeonw thundered the little mar
fercely. "With the remains of such 6
feast on the table there must be NOR,
where it came from"
Upon my word" replied Richard
meekly, for he was getting frightened
again, "there is not bite in the house.
Don't lie!" roared the other; there Ii
a cold ham in the pantry and demi
john of brandy in the closet"
"How do you know thatT' 1t was OF
the tip of Richards tongue to ask, bu
he was too much amazed to speak.
"How do l know it?" broke in the
stranger, as if reading his thoughts
"why smell them; so bring them out.
Richard would have demurred, but
his guest made movement which con
vinced him delay might be dangerous
and the required articles were produced
Without changing his seat the little mar
drew up to the table and began to eat
And how he did eatl A chunk of han
big enough for shark bait was stucl
on the point of a carving knife anc
thrust down his throat with the audacity
of a sword swallower. Another and an
other followed, till nothing remained
but the bone, which he crushed with his
teeth and then sucked the marrow.
"Now for punchl" he cried.
"There is no hot water" Richard ven
tured to say.
"Water-who asked for waterl Bring
me a lemon, some sugar and kettle"
The kettle was placed on the fire. The
stranger filed it with brandy. adding
lemon and sugar to suit his taste. As the
liquor boiled over it caught fire, setting
the whole in blaze. Richard jumped
I'D to take it off; the stranger caught hi