Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-10


Difference 10 their urgent advice that left
my home in London with little reluctance
since my life there had never been happy
70 study the art Of making money. On ar
irving at the scene of my expected triumphs
Twas assigned 10 taesomewhat humble posi-
ton of GRAND boy. In common with other
boys who performed like service for the
firm / was known as "a pair OF legs"
lodgings Of rather modest character
had been secured tor me IN the western
o1tskirts OF the city near the banks OF the
Mcrsey. was slow to make friends, and
nv evenings we're spent in the perusal OF
story-books, which had brought with me
from London. One night, not long aiter
the beginning Of my new life in Liverpool;
was living in bed listening to the WIND
and rain beating over the house-tops ana
driving against the windows, when sud
denly there came loud rap at my door.
who's there?" / demanded, starting
out Of bed.
AsI heard no answer / repeated nv in;
curry and stood O moment listening. !
could hear nothing, however out the vino !,
and rain. Lighting candle ana dIesslhg
myself with all haste opened the door. l
could inst discern the figure OF bent old
man standing In the hallway, when gust
OF wind suddenly put ont the candle. Inc
door leading 10 the street was open, ana
the old man was probably straggler come
10 impoftune me for shelter or ior some
tbine 10 eat. As / relt the candle he en-
tered nv room and stood facing me, but
did not speak. His clothes were dripping
and he was blinking at me with strange,
cleaning ewes. His hair was snow white,
and As looked into his face the deathly
pallor of it frightened me. HIS general
appearance was more than starting; IL was
uncanny.
What can do for your" asked.
Greatly TO nv surprise be made no reply.
but with look OF pain and great anxiety
sank INTO q chair. Then he Withdrew from
his pocket a letter, which no extended 70
me. The envelope was wet and dirty 1t
was directed 10 Kendric Lane, Esq, No.
- Old Broad street, London, England;
The address was crossed and n Kirkland
street. Liverpool" written under 1t In the
familiar hand of my guardian: A strange
proceeding, thought /. Was the letter IN
tended for nv father, who was long dead,
and who had removed from that address
more than ten years ago! The OLD man
began TO grin and nod az examined the
superscription. l broke the seal on the
envelope and found the following letter
undated and with no indication OF the
place from which 1t was sent:
dear Brother,--I need your help. Come
TO me nj once If You can. Consequences oil
vast importance TO me and TO mankind de-
pend upon your prompt compliance. L
cannot tell you where | am. The bearer
will bring you 70 me. Follow MN ana as, ASK
no questions. Moreover. be silent. Ike
him, regarding the subject of this letter
n Won can come procure passage IN the
first steamer for New York. My message
is provided with funds. Your loving
brother, >, hkNIs LANE
had often heard my father speak of my
uncle Reyis, who went TO America almost
1t n
was my nearest living relative. No news
Of him had reached ne for many years be-
fore nv father died. / was familiar with
his handwriting and the specimen before
me was either genuine or remarkably IKE
it. II genuine he had evidently not heard
of my fathers death. -.
Extraordinary as the message was, tne
messenger was more SO; he SAT peerIng ae
me with a strange, half-crazed expression
on his face. e,
when did you leave my uncleT" 1
asked.
He sat as If unconscious that l had
spoken.
/ drew my chair to his side and repeated
the words in loud voice, but ne dld not
seem to hear me. Evidently inc oiu man
could neither hear nor speak. In mo,
ment he began cropping In his pockets ana
presently handed me card when con-
tanned the following words
"It YOU can come tear this card in halves
and return the right half TO him.,
l examined the card carefully. The
words were undoubtedly IN my uncle's
handwriting. The back of the card was
covered with strange characters in red INK
tore the card as directed and handed
him the right half. q,
He held 4 up TO the light and examined
10 carefully, then put it away IN pocket
OF his waistcoat The look Of pain re-
turned 10 his face and he coughed feebly as
if suffering from q severe cold. The hour
being late intimated by pantomime that
desired him to occupy my bed. de I'M