The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-04-13


Finding tilat no satisfaction was to be
obtained Of .Iur:ttc- whose whole intel
Iecr seemed to De d usorDed by ''ue bug,
row stepped into.t!.e boat and made
sail. With fair aid strong breeze we
soon ran into the little cove to the north
ward of Fort Moul5rie. and walk Of
some two miles brought Us to the hut.
It was about in the afternoon when we
arrived. Legrand had been awaiting us
in eager expectation. He grasped my
hand with nervous impressment which
alarmed me and strengthened the sus-
picions already entertained. His coun-
tenance was pale even to ghastliness.
and his deep set eyes glared with unnat-
ural luster. After some inquiries re-
speeding his health. ] asked him, not
knc.. l..y what better to say, if he had
vet Obtained the scarabnus from Lieu
tenant Ct.
"On. yes. he replied, coloring violent
ly. Il got it from him the next morning.
Nothing should tempt me to part with
t1.at sc;.rabaus. Do you know that Jupi-
ter is quite right about it,
I'm what way / asked. with a sad
foreboding at heart.
lin surprising it to be a bug Of real
goldr' He said this with an air of pro
found seriousness. and l felt inexpressi-
bly, shocked.
This bug is to make my fortune he
continued, with {, triumphant smile, ''to
l.,instate me in my family possessions
Is it any wonder. then, that l prize ity
Since fortune has thought fit to bestow
i. upon me, have only to use it proper
ly, and I shall arrive at the gold of which
it is the index. Jupiter. bring me that
scarabaus!'
What! Gle bug, massa? I'd rudder
not go fer trubble dat bug-you mus git
him for your own self Hereupon Lee
grand arose with a grave and stately
air and brought ME the beetle from a
glass case, in which it was inclosed. 1t
was beautiful scarabsus, and at that
time unknown to naturalists-of course
a great prize in scientific point of view
There were two round black spots near
one extremity of the back and a long one
near the other. The scales were exceed
ingly hard and glossy, with all the ap-
pearance of FURNISHED gold. The weight
of the insect was very remarkable, and
taking all things into consideration |
could hardly blame Jupiter for his opin-
ion respecting it. But what to make of
Legrand's concordance with that opin-
ion I could not for the life of me tell.
II sent for you," said he in grandilo-
quent tone when had completed my
examination of the beetle, Il sent for
you that / might have your counsel and
assistance in furthering the views of fate
and of the bug"-
My dear Legrand," 1 cried, interrupt
ing him, You are certainly unwell and
had better use some little precautions.
You shall go to bed, and will remain
with you few days until you get over
this. You are feverish and
Feel my pulse" said he.
felt it and, to say the truth, found
not the slightest indication Of fever.
But you may be i'll and yet have no
fever. Allow me this once to prescribe
for you. In the first place, go to bed. In
the next
You are mistaken . he interposed. Il
am as well as can expect to be under
the excitement which 1 suffer. If you
really wish me we'll, you will relieve this
excitement"
land how is this to be done?'
very easily. Jupiter and myself are
going upon an expedition into the hills
upon the mainland, and in this cxpedi-
ton we shall need the aid of some per-
son in whom we can confde. You are
the only one we can trust. Whether we
succeed or fail the excitement which
you now perceive in me will be equally
allayed."
II am ar~ious to oblige you in any
way" l It lied. but do you mean to
say that this Internal beetle has any con-
nection with your expedition into the
hills?"
1T has,"
Then, Legrand, can become a party
to no such absurd proceedings"
II am sorry-very sorry-for we shall
have to try it by ourselves"
TRY it by yourselves! The man is
surely mad! But stay! How long do
you propose to be ABSENT
Probably all night. We shall start
Immediately, and be back at all events
by sunrise"
"And will you promise me upon your
honor that hen this freak of yours is
over, and the bug business good God!)
settled to your satisfaction, you will
then return home and follow my advice
implicitly as that Of your physician?"
Eyes, promise. And now let us be
off. for we have no time to lose"
With heavy heart I accompanied my
: friend. We started about oclock-Le
grand, Jupiter, the dog and myself. Ju
piter had with him the scythe and spades
| the whole of which he insisted upor
carrying, more through fear, it seemed
to me, of trusting either of the nipple
ments within reach of his master thar
from any excess of industry or com
plaisance. His demeanor was logged II
the extreme, and "dat deuced bug" wer'
the sole words which escaped his lip
during the journey. For my own part