The state herald., 1893-04-28
THE DEATH SPIDER.

VI lanes ana alleys surrounding
Seven Dials, in London, a shop as
odd and repulsivo as its keeper.
"Beriah Hargon," painted over the
door, dimly proclaimed through q
coat OF CRIME tho name by which no
had long been known; but in the
minds OF tho ncighborhood gamins
the nickname "doOelin" had come
through mist OF superstitious fear
and ignorance. He was as ugly a
man us ono could SOC in all tho
metropolis. His face was almost hid
den by u gray, bristling beard, shaggy
eyebrows, and tho long tangled curls
OF his dusty hal, His greasy and
rudely-mcnded clothes had boon
forced to serve him for quarter OF
his GO years. Though he shuaied
about, supporting his bent form upon
hugo. twisted cane, he held his
head stiflly erect, and two red-rimmcd,
evil Dyes glared with fierce watchful-
ness ut every ono he met
The goods displayed in the one
dirty-glasscd window. and upon tho
shelves inside. showed Hargon to be
naturalist and morbid anatomist.
There were cases of impaled insects,
numerous skulls. and number OF
jars of snakes. as well Us portions OF
tho human frame, preserved in alco-
hol. The cracked bel hanging on
spiral spring against the door seldom
announced the entrance OF anyone but
Hargon himself, and this fact had
given rise to tho belief that the
"Gobelin' had sold himself TO the
devil and needed no customers.
Late one winter night this man
began fatcful task. lie closed the
shop, and satisfying himself that no
curious one was lurking without, he
carried n candle into the back room.
Placing It upon u table, he drew u
broken chair Into its brightest light
and sat down. An expression OF
deadly intention rendered him hid
eous as ho pulled toward him black
book and opened it. Upon the right
page was diagram OF monster spi-
der, which he carefully measured and
examined; then turning to the left
page he read in Il hard, gruff voice:
ale who having solomnly compact
cd with the Power, essays TO construct
and make live the Death Spider
must construct two. 1t is written.
and let him heed; he must construct
two"
Wrinkles of deep inquiry quilted
his black forehead AMI meshed his
eyes us he cxclaimel;
"Why two?n
Finding no satisfactory answer In
his own mind. he read on;
"llo who deslreih TO create the
Death Spide; MAJ call the helper,
who will render assistance. instruc-
ton, and perform all necessary ser.
vice. Place the palm over the picture
OF the spider. call thrice aloud .Gris.
sikin, and the helper will appear
The gobclln obeyed these instruc.
lions without delay, and instantly
there appeared beside him-not en-.
tering through door or window. but
as II n portion OF tho air had been
solldlied and animatcd-a grotcsque
being. who, rubbing his eyes and
tiAu
81 am here. but not bcholden to
You for waking me. No one has
called me for ilfty ycars, and was In
slumbcr. What is your wish?'
lie was not taller than three fcot.
ana was dressed in single tight ilt-
ting garment. much like modern
jersey. which covered his entire
body. and revealed his singular form
His legs were thin and wIry. AMI
tapcrod TO little pointed feet. while
his arms were muscular as those Of
an athlete; but his head, dispropor-
tionatcly large. and face. especially.
were startling. II was ono OF those
smooth. puzzling faces which look
youthful. but which bear an indcnn.
able suggestion of age. Around his
mouth aud In the wrinkle OF his
black eyes were indications of Gun.
ming. which flashed into trcach.
crous lecr whenever liargon's sight
was turned from him.
"You would mako tho Death
Spider. ohPn he said, repeating the
old mans reply. What for?'
"Must you know that" glowcrol
tho gobclin.
Verify, ] must'' rotortod the imp.
impudently. icaping TO tho table.
and. with tho burst OF mcrrimnnt
polSIng his tapcrcd foot against Har.
CONS breast GLOW am 20 work II
! know not that?"
not rollshlng this liberty. Hargon
moved his chair. aud. looking hard
at his visitor. saldi
ii will tell You, then
Grissilln caught his bent knee In
his e'aspod hands. aud. turning his
head sideways. with his tongue
thrust hard into his check and his
bright eyes fixed ON tho old man,
was prepared to listen.
"in Kent there IN u youth. Andrew
fithlngt0n. whom hatc 10 the death.
and no must die. Ills father mcrci.
lcssly and iniqultonsly injured mo
years ago. aud then consulted the
books OF torture for u death 10 sond
upon him that would bo citing no.
ycngc. but apoplcxy snntchcd him
away before ! received the power 10
put the rnckiug death upon him,
Now the son must not escape my ven.
gcancc. lie must suffer doubly.
have resolved 10 put him TO tho
death Of the spdcr'
truly" commented tho dwarf.
changing ls hands TO tho other kuoo.
30 tho death of the spider"
"Wi,h your hclp | will bring the
spider to life, mako tho mnn sick,
audi
"lIold. holdw Grltsikin interrupt
cd, coolly. "yon IHnnot mako the
youth plclii you eau only xiii him
aiior sickness is upon him | nppro.
bond thcrc f. hope for you. win
sec. Watt