Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-03-26
THE TERRIBLE LODGER.

and plate on the door. as II III sedEon
of patients but he seemed comfortably \
off, if not wealthy. He brought
quantity OF things into the house,
though considered my two parlors
we'll furnished. First came desk. /
next bookcase and lastly a wagon
load of huge trunks.
The front parlor was his office, the /
back his surgery. and he used the ex- I
tension for bed-chamber. was de- I
lighted when / caught sight of the
rooms after the doctor and his colored
servant had arranged them. The
doors and windows were all draped
with magnificent curtains or portieres
made OF rich stuff. embroidered IN
strange patterns. COLLINS birds but
teriies and queer creatures such as |
had never seen or heard of reveled all
over the curtains, which were formed
OF heavy dark-green silk. Much of
the embroidery was in gold and all
the portieres were finished in gold and
bullion fringes Then there were rugs
and mats so brilliant and beautiful
that they seemed to my eyes handsome
enough TO be framed like pictures
The thought came into my mind that
the doctors wealth must be unbounded
and felt must respect even if ! did
not like him.
As gazed the servant came IN with
his stealthy step as noiseless as snake
He bowed and addressed me in broken
English
What Missy Sahib wishes?' he
asked in his smooth, oily voice.
disliked the man as much as | did
his master. He was not like any coli
ored man | had ever seen. He was tall
and thin and his long face always wore
q smile but his eyes were like a
snakes and so were his movements.
and his long, straight hair seemed
glued to his narrow head
Nothing l am only admiring the
rooms. Those curtains are beauti-
full
They are from my country" he
said bowling. as if | had paid him a
compliment
And what country is that?7
India / am Hlndoo.n
After that / did not see much o.
master or man. They paid the rem
and gave no trouble The servau
waited on his master and they wer'
very quiet dodgers for the doctor hac
scarcely patient
After they had been two months il
the house the doctor sent me wore
that he would be absent few day
and did not wish any one to enter hi
rooms Now, / should have men
toned that am a woman and | mus
IT. Ctr
share OF Mother Ewes curiosity. 50 a
soon, as / saw the doctor 90 out {
the house l was determined shout
examine his apartments at m
leisure Mustapha the man. however
remained behind ana had to posse;
my soul in patience till he should
out of the way.
The opportunity came three day
after the doctor departure. Mustaph
came up to inform me that he ";
going out for short time.
No sooner was he out Of the hou
than l took the keys-for like mo
landladies. / have a spare key #
every room in the house and tai
care to go through them, for an u
protected woman does not want
and unlocked the door Of the exte
sion.
Dear me! What heaps of beautif
things there were in those room
China so fine and thin that it look
as il a breath would destroy it OF
images of gold and silver, bronze
dishes and figures and most OF t
idols-for such / afterward learn
they were-had great cleaning eye
made OF precious stones. that seem
to follow me about and made me ner
GUS.
took my time and was In the fro
parlor when / heard carriage dri
up to the door. and peeping out WI
was my horror to see the doctor alig
in company with Mustapha and
stranger Before / could move th
were in the house. / darted behind
portiere, trusting they would soon
out for / hate to be caught in any
that looks mean. and / resolved
make my escape as soon as | had
place to myself.
10 my surprise Mustapha proceed
10 lock the door-the curtains W,
already close drawn before every v
dow-and he lit two or three la
lamps. which gave out a delicious
fume which caused my head to swi
He then took out u copper bra7
and kindled fire IN IL. The far
shot up and the perfume got stron
and seemed TO ill the rooms "
moving forms amid the smoke.
stood like person bewitched I
Mustapha began TO chant in some 9
landish tongue.
The doctor stood motlonless.
great. hollow gray eyes fixed OF
hideous image that stood on pee
tai His long. thin face wore
rtble expression. his hair seemed