Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-09-03
WHINSTONbS VISITOR.


ing to Richard Whinstone's catechism
were the two chief ends of man. II,
was single rtiah on principle. It wa
the right thing economically, and there
fore right indubltably. To one person
in the world Richard Whinstone wal
generous, and that was his dear frienc
Richard Whinstone.
Richard Whlnstone had done a gcot
days work. He had made one or two
profitable bargains; he had sold up the
Widow Marten. and turned her and he1
six children out of doors for nonpay-
ment of rent and, finally, had read E;
little boy, with pinched and pitifuI
face, who had besought the pr,ce of a
loaf OF bread and who said he had Il
sick mother at home, lecture on the
sinfuness of begging, that evidently
touched the little wrctch's conscience
Tor he turned aside and wept bitterly
You're good citizen, Dick, he said
as he sat down to dinner, and 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
went 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
morsel, like Macbeths amen, stuck IN
his throat.
Safety normally begets pacNlfty
The lion, the leopard and the lamb
might lie down together any day, with
perfect safety to the lattcr-provided
the two former had their stomachs full.
The boa constructor, sorged with an
OK, betakes himself, for season, to a
life of quiet. But the effect on Richard
Whinstone was different. The expense
of whole sucking pig, wallowing in
wine, rested heavily on his conscience
and his brain began to busy itself with
schemes of reimbursement.
The current of his thoughts was IN.
terrupted by loud knock. Who could
be coming at that hour? some one,
perhaps, with bill to discount in an
emergency that would bear no waiting.
So much the better, and he fastened to
open the door.
How are you, Dick the stranger
greeted him, with familiarity alto
gcther too careless tor needy custom
er.
Il have not the pleasure of your &C.
qualntance, sir, sad Richard In a tone
more freezing than polite.
But l know you very WE'LL returned
the stranger; ard pray don't let lis
stand here bandylhg ceremonies, for its
coniounded chilly saying which, he
led the way to the apartment Richard
had jast quilted. Well, this is comfort
indeed he continued, rubbing his
hands before the fire. haven felt SO
much ut home since left there.
A hasty survey Of his visitor added
alarm to Richards astonishment. He
was w,ry, i'll looking little man, in a
rusty suit Of black, with wicked leel
on his face and one clubfoot.
1 say, Dick the little man resumed,
holding his hands IN the blaze as if
they were fireproof, what an inhosplta-
ble dog you are.
Whether hospitable or inhosptabIe,'
growled Richard, losing his temper as
he gained his courage, is not your bus
mess, but I would like to know what
is.'
'ItD bad talking business on an empty
stomach.
I don't see howiLs to be helped an
swered Dick, doggcdly.
Don't see how it's to be helped, you
curmudgeon? thtyndered the little man
liercey. with the remains of such a
feast on the table there must be more
whara IT, ca,ne frn,u'
Upon my Word, replied Richard
meekly, for he was getting frightened
again, there is not a bite in the house.
Don't lie + roared the other; there
is cold hah in the pantry and a DEM.
liohn of brandy In the closet
How do you know that /? 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-
yinced HIM delay might be dangerous,
and the required articles were produced
Without changing his seat the lttfs
man drew up to the table and began to
eat. And how did he eat ? A chunk of
ham big enough for shark bait was
stuck on the point of carving knlte