Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1892-08-05

eye, he said, inquiringly:
"Have you any friends on the news
papers?"
This, to me, was a puzzling interrog-
a'.ory. 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 1t as basis for
arranging truce for my conscience,
without blinking answered:
"None that l know Of"
"Well, then" he said, lowering his
voice and leaning toward me, 'that be-
ing the case, 1 don't mind telling you
something, but it is a secret that !
shouldn't like to have get out You've
probably heard of Fred'Bascom?"
Heard of him? Why, know him
we'll You mean Il. G. Bascom, the big
real estate MANI
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. ram relat-
ed to him, and have just left his house
What would you think if l told you he
committed suicide this EVENING""
"What?" exclaimed, with unfeigned
establishment, 'do you mean to say Bas-
com has taken his own life?"
eyes, yes-it is only too true" my
companion replied as he chokingly re-
pressed sob, and began fumbling
about for a pocket-handkerchief 81
ought not to have told you this, but l
am dazed as yet, and scarcely know
what / am doing. AS was saying, |
am his nephew, and have just left the
grief-stricken family to go for an under
tal1er."
"When did this occur?" inquired,
in the regular professional way, mo-
mentarily forgetting myself, and max
ing a movement toward my notebook.
The gentleman observed the abortive
pass at my inside coat pocket, whereat
a 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. l 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 Z
loaded pistol from the drawer Of his
book case he shot himself in the right
temple, scattering his brains all ovel
the mirror of a dresser, against which
he fell. Oh, sir, the sight when we
burst the door open was simply awf,,l!'
"Why, this is -" was going to say
"a good story" when | recollected my
self. why, this is northumberland
calamity, Do you know | 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, ant
in his mind has foreseen all sorts of APP
; preaching disasters. Undoubtedly h,
labored under a spell of mental aberra
ton at the time of his arrival home to
night But my dear sir" exclaimed tn
speaker, unexpectedly Selling my hand
treat this thing as sacred-as conf
Dental between you and me-will you
The idea of suicide is so repugnant t.
our family that we intend keeping tn
manner of Frcd's death from becomin,
public. 1t will be given out in to-mor
row mornings paper that his sudde1
demise was due to heart failure
Promise me never to tell what hav
told you"
So pathetically was the last appea
; made that my conscience rose up an
, shook it's fist in my face. began t
cough violently, and was thus enable
| to evade giving a direct answer, bu
my eyes looked the falsehood, thus al
ranging another compromise betwee
greed and conscience. While strul
Cling to control my manufacture
cough l managed to divert his min
, with an inquiry;
, "Did he leave any written messag
/ explaining his action?"
, "None had been found when l LEFT
Possibly letter may turn up to-mol
row."
: "At what time did | understand yo
to say this thing occurred?"
"At exactly twenty minutes befor
eleven o'cloclS."
mo doubt about his being dead,
there?"
At this question thought discerne
: traces of a smile on my companion
: countenance. Assuredly must nav
: been mistaken, for clasping his hand
together, the gentleman fervently el
claimed:
Doubts? No! only wish to Go
: there existed room for doubling it,
. was among the first to enter his ROOF
, after the fatal shot had been hearC
: Fred was lying across the rosewoo
dresser, with his head blown half of
: while his right hand rigidly grasped
revolver. Immediately | summone
!, the family physician, who, after bri,
a examination, announced that deaf
4 must have been instantaneous"
My companion ceased speaking {
= the train pulled into the depot at Fort,
4 second street, Arising to depart, h
q. hand was extended as he babe me goo,
n by, and agai2 he entreated secrecy O
q my part. Hurriedly l inquired h
/ name, and he replied: George Ba
a CON-" and then disappeared from m
" view.
/. AS soon rs he was gone my col
strained Indifference and compoSm
| vanished, Quickly got into cab al
Y directed the driver to take me to Il
G Office, and 70 lose no time in gettir
4 there. While going across town
{ breakneck speed, it may be surmisC
o that my braia whirled as rapidly as Il
" wheels beneath me. l had within II