Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-02-26
THE TERRIBLE LODGER.

|
and plate on the door. as If in search
oil patients. but he seemed comfortably
OF, II not wealthy. He brought a
| quantity OF things into the house.
though considered my two parlors
we'll furnished. First came a desk.
next bookcase and lastly wagon
| load OF huge trunks.
The front parlor was his Office, the
back his surgery, and he used the ex-
tension for bed-chamber. l was de-
lighted when l 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
/ tertiies 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 l must respect even If / did
not like him.
AS i gazed the servant came in with
his stealthy step as noiseless as a snake.
He bowed and addressed me in broken
English.
What Missy Sahib wishesP" he
asked in his smooth. oily voice.
l disliked the man as much as I did
his master. He was not like any COL
ore1 man l 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 l had paid him a
compliment
And what country is thatp"
india l am Hindoo."
After chat l did not see much of
master or man. They paid the rent
and gave no trouble. The servant
waited on his master and they were
very quiet dodgers for the doctor had
scarcely patient.
After they had been two months in
the house the doctor sent me word
that he would be absent a few DAYS
and did not wish any one to enter his
rooms. Now. should have men,
toned that | am a woman and | must
also confess that l inherit my own
share of Mother Ewes curiosity. so as
soon. as saw the doctor go out OF
the house l was determined / should
examine his apartments at my
leisure. Mustapha the man. however,
remained behind ana had to possess
my soul in patience till he should be
out of the way.
The opportunity came three days
after the DOCTOR departure. Mustapha
came p to inform me that he was
going out for a short time.
No sooner was he out of the house
than / took the keys-for like most
landladies, | have n spare key for
every room in the house and take
care to go through them, for an I'M
protected woman does not want to
harbor anarchists without knowing 1t
and unlocked the door of the extern
sion.
Dear me! What heaps OF beautiful
things there were in those rooms.
China so fine and thin that it looked
as ii a breath would destroy it odd
Images of gold and silver. bronzes,
dishes and figures and most OF the
idols-for such | afterward learned
they wcre-had great cleaning eyes
made of precious stones that seemed
to follow me about and made me nerv-
GUS
| took my time and was IN the front
parlor when / heard a carriage drive
up to the door. and peeping out what
was my horror to see the doctor alight
in company with Mustapha and a
stranger Before l could move they
were in the house / darted behind a
psrtiere. trusting they would soon go
out for hate to be caught in any act
that looks mean, and l resolved TO
make my escape as soon as had the
place to myself
TO my surprise Mrstapha proceeded
to lock the door-the curtains were
already close drawn before every win
dow-and he lit two or three large
lamps which gave out delicious per-
fume which caused my head to swim.
He then took out a copper brazier
and kindled fire In it. The flames
shot up and the perfume got stronger
and seemed to fill the rooms with
moving forms amid the smoke. I
stood like a person bewitched and
Mustapha began TO chant in some out
landish tongue.
The doctor stood motlonless. his
grea'. hollow gray eyes fixed on a
hideous image that stood on a pedes-
tai His long thin face wore ter
rible expression. his hair seemed to
stand on end and a CHASTITY grin dis
torted his features.
At length the Hindoo stopped his
chant and the doctor turned to the
stranger. who was a fine looking
elderly gentleman. but who seemed
dreadiully nervous and pale.
That rite is complete It Is por-
ton OF tho worship OF the goddess
silva"
1 Doarly screamed out So they
were worshiping that ugly image In
my back parlor? Worse was to come,
however. The man placed a queer
shaped tea-kettle over tho GOALS and