The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-07-26
WHINSTONB'S VISITOR.
One R'sult Of Waking Money Get
Ting and Keeping the Chief
End OF Man.


To get money and to keep it, accord
Ing to Richard Whinstones catechism.
We're the two chief ends Of man. He was
q single man on principle Il was the
right thing economically, and therefore
right individually. 10 one person in the
world Richard Whinstone was generous
and that was his dear friend-Richard
Whinstone
Richard Whinstone had done 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 pinehed and pitiful face. who
had besought the price of loaf of bread
ana 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. .s
You're good citizen, Dick, he said,
rs he sat down to dinner. land deserve
to be rewarded
The dinner was one after his own
heart. It was treat he had promised
mansef II things went right, and they
had gone right. He ate, drank and was
merry II his appetite lost its edge, the
bottle of burgundy was there to whet
1t, and he fell to again, till the last NOR
sci, like Macbsth'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 a season, to alife 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 yoA, Dickf" the stranger
greeted him, with familiarity altogeth-
er too careless for needy customer.
Il have not the pleasure Of your ac-
quaintance, sir" said Richard, in tone
mere freezing than polite.
'But know you very well,' returned
the stranger; "and pray don't let US
stand here bandying ceremonies. for it's
COMPOUNDED chilly saying which, he led
the way to the apartment Richard had
JUS quilted. "Well, this is comfort, !"
he continued, rubbing his hands before
the fire. sIhaYen't felt SO much at home
since left there.
A hasty survey Of his visitor added
alarm to Richards establishment. He
was wiry, i'll looking little man, in a
rusty suit of black, with wicked leer
on his face and one clubfoot.
II say, Dick" the little man resumed,
holding his handsin the blaze as if they
Were freproof. what an inhospitable
dog you arel"
Whether hospitable or inhospitabie, !"
growled Richard, losing his temper as he
gained his courage, sis not your busi-
/ ness, but would like to know what is. /"
Its bad talking business on an empty
stomach"
Il don't see how it's to be helped" an
swered Dick, doggedly.
Don't see how it's to be helped, you
curmudgeonf' Numbered the little man
fercely. with the remains of such q
feast on the table there must be moro
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 lieP' roared the other; 'sthere is
cold ham in the pantry and a demi-
john of brandy in the closet
How do you know that2" it was on
the tip of Richards tongue to ask, but
he was too much amazed to speak.
"How do / 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-
WINGED him delay might be dangerous,
and the required articles were produced.
Without changing his seat the little man
drew up to the table and began to eat.
And how he did eati A chunk of ham
big enough for shark bait was stuck
on the point Of a carving knife and
thrust down his throat with the audacity
of sword swallower Another and an
other followed, till nothing remained
but the bone, which he crushed with his
teeth and then sucked the marrow.
s'Now for punchf' he cried.
"There is no hot water" Richard ven
tured to say.
aWater-who asked for water? Bring
me lemon, some sugar and a 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 a blaze. Richard jumped
up to take it off; the stranger caught his
arm and flung him back as If he had
been child instead of q substantial citi-
zen of fourteen stone.
"What are you abouty' he exclaimed.
lsThe punch b doing well enough"
II was only afraid the house might be
burnt"
..Bother the house" replied the little
xro,,. ,.there,a no danger