The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1892-08-27

ruptly and looking me straight ie the
eye, he said, inquiringly:
"Have you any friends on the news
papers?"
This, to me, was puzzling interog-
atory. My cultivated instinct for news
FLASHED with an ingrained regard for
truth, and toss-up almost was neces-
sary to determine which should have
right of way; but recalling the form of
his question and using it as basis for
arranging truce for my CONCIERGE,
without blinking / answered:
"None that know Of"
swell, them" he said, lowering his
voice and leaning toward me, shat be-
ing the case, don't mind telling you
something, but it is a secret that l
shouldn't like to have get out. You've
probably heard of Fred.Bascom?"
Heard Of him? Why, I know him
well. You mean F. G. Bascom, the big
real estate man?"
eyes, and owner of the largest hotel
on the coast of Maine, and also of the
Bascom block, and thirty or forty tene-
ment houses in New York. lam relat-
ed to him, and have just left his house.
What would you think if told you he
committed suicide this EVENING""
"What?" exclaimed, with unfeigned
establishment, "do you mean to say Bas-
com has taken his own life?"
"Yes, yes-it is only too true" my
companion replied. as he chokingly re-
pressed a sob, and began FUN bling
about for a Observation-Disclosures. II
ought not to have told you this, but
am dazed as yet, and scarcely know
what am doing. AS 1 was saying, l
am his nephew, and have just left the
grief-stricken family to go for an under
taker."
"When did this occurP" inquired,
In the regular professional way, mo-
mentarily forgetting myself, and max
ing movement toward my notebook.
The gentleman observed the abortive
pass at my inside coat pocket, whereat
q panied expression came into his face.
/ saw the mischief had done, but quick
ly treasured him by making another
dive at another pocket, this time fetch
ing Cigar. had squared myself, and
he continued:
Erred came In at half-past ten to-
night, looking as well as usual. He
spoke very few words to anyone, but
went Immediately to his sleeping apart
ment. Locking the door and taking a
loaded pistol from the drawer Of his
book case he shot himself in the right
temple, scattering his brains all over
the mirror OF dresser, against which
he fell. Oh, sir, the sight when we
burst the door open was simply awful"
"Why, this Is =" was going to say
"a good story" when I recollectsd my
self. "Why, this is unfortunate-ar real
calamity. Do you know l always sup
posed your uncle's immense wealth
yielded the next thing to perfect con-
tentment?"
Far from It. OF late he has ex-
perienced periods Of melancholy, and
in his mind has foreseen all sorts of APP
prosching disasters. Undoubtedly he
labored under q spell of mental aberra-
ton at the time of his arrival home to-
night. But my dear sir" exclaimed the
speaker. unexpectedly selling my hand,
treat this thing as sacred-as conf
Dental between you and me-will you?
The idea of suicide IL 30 repugnant to
our family that we intend keeping the
manner of Fred's death from becoming
public. 1t will be given out in to-mor-
row mornings paper that his sudden
demise was due to heart failure.
Promise me never to tell what I have
told you"
So pathetically was the last appeal
made that my conscience rose up and
shook its fist in my face. began to
cough violently, and was thus enabled
to evade giving direct answer, but
my eyes looked the falsehood, thus ar
ranging another compromise between
greed and conscience. While strug-
Cling to control my manufactured
cough 1 managed to divert his mind
with an inquiry:
ibid he leave any written message
explain ling his action?'
"None had been found when l left.
Possibly letter may turn up to-mor-
row."
AT what time did understand you
to say this thing occurred?"
"At exactly twenty minutes before
eleven o'clock"
mo doubt about his being dead, is
there?"
At this question thought discerned
traces Of smile on my companions
countenance. Assuredly must nave
been mistaken, for clasping his hands
together, the gentleman fervently ex-
claimed:
"Doubts9 No! only wish to God
there existed room for doubling it.
was among the first to enter his room
after tho fatal shot had been heard.
Fred was lying across the rosewood
dresser, with his head blown half off,
while his right hand rigidly grasped a
revolver. Immediately l summoned
the family physician, who, after brief
examination, announced that death
must have been instantaneous"
My companion ceased speaking as
the train pulled into the depot at Forty
second street. Arising to depart, his
hand was extended as he babe me good
by, and again he entreated secrecy on
my part. Hurriedly inquired his
name, and he replied: George Bas-
conn.," and then disappeared from my
view.
As soon as he was gone my con-
"a