The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1895-07-05

son. Cheese-Br1e-and celery. "A
glass of port with the cheese. He
takes that in q tumbler, too, like Og,
King of Bashan."
was really overwhelmed with the
splendOr of the dinner, the classical
and biblical fattery, and the extraor-
binary qualification which my really
enormous hunger caused this remark
! able old gentleman. He clapped his
hands; he nodded his head; he slapped
his legs; he winked and grinned; he
smacked his lips; he evinced every
sign of the most unboundcd delight.
! When | had quite finished eating,
which was not before we got through
the whole list of courses, he gave me a
bottle OF claret, and watched me while
rapidly disposed of it. Then he pro-
duced from a sideboard. where I,
certainly had not seen it a moment be-
lore, a small cup of strong black cot
zee with a tiny glass of liquor. AS for
my w part, hope I have made it
clear that l dined extremely we'll; in
fact, l never even dreamed of such a
dlnner in my life. 1t was not only that
was half starved, but that the things
were SO good. Imagine the astonish-
inent OF a young strolling actor, whose
highest dreams were of sufficient beef
steak, not OF the primest part, at such
a magnificent feed. I felt as if 1 had
dropped unexpectedly into a fortune. l
had.
How do you feel now?' my host
asked, a shade of anxiety crossing his
brow.
There was still the strange look in
my hostt eyes-a sort of passionate
n eager longing.
Il am very we'll, thank you, sir, and
more grateful than l can tell you"
Hang the gratitude! Tell me if you
feel any Of repletion? Does the
blood seem mounting to your head?
Are you quite free from any giddiness?
NO thickness in the speech? It's won
derful, it's providential, my finding
you. Such a windfall; and just when
l most wanted it. Our blessings truly
come when we least expect them"
his was strange language, but the
whole proceeding was so strange that
l hardly noticed it. Besides, I was ex
tremely comfortable after my dinner,
and disposed to rest.
Now" he went on, "while you are
digesting-by the way, the digestion is,
l trust, unimpaired by drink or excess?
Quite SO; and what 1 expected in so
good and so gifted a young man! Like
an ostrich, as you say. Ho, no! la! ha!
like an ostrich. 1t is, indeed too much.
Tell me. now, something, gently and
dlspassionately, SO as not to injure
your digestion, about your history"
| told him ali. When I related my
simple story he interrupted me now
and then with some fresh question ON
the growth, the endurance, the regular
ity, of my appetite, to which l gave
satisfactory answers. When 1 had
quite finished he went to the table,
noticed then that all traces of the din
ner had disappeared-and laid out a
document, by which he placed a pen.
Then he drew a chair, sat down in
front of me, and assumed a serious
air.
Come" he said. peremptorily, slet
us get now to business"
l had not the smallest notion what
the business was, but l bowed and
waited. Perhaps he was going to offer
me q clerkship. Visions of a large
salary, to suit my expensive appetite,
came across my brain.
In your case" he began, "the DOS
session of so great an appetite must
be attended with serious %inconven-
fences. You have no money, in a few
hours you will be hungry again; you
will endure great pain and suffering.
greater than is felt by men less large
ly endowed with the greatest blessings
Il mean with appetite"
EYES," l said, cit is a great trouble
to me, this twist of mine, especially
when [ am hard up"
He almost jumped out of his chair.
"Why, there" he cried, "what is the
use Of words? We are agreed already.
Nothing could be more fortunate. Let
us have no more beating about the
bush. Young man, l will rid you of
this nuisance; l will buy your appetite
of YOU
l only stared. Was the old gentle
man mad?
cit is a strange offer, 1 know" he
went on, ga strange offer, and YOU have
probably never heard a more remark
able one. But it is genuine. I will
buy your appetite"
"Buy my-buy my appetizer
Nothing easier. Read this"
He gave me the paper which he had
laid on the table, prepared in readi-
ness, | suppose, for me. 1t was as fol-
lows:
81, Luke Lucraft, being in sound
mind and in good health, and of the
mature age of "a, do voluntarily and
of my own free will and accord agree
and promise to resign my appetite en-
tirely and altogether for the use Of
Ebenezer Grumbelow from the day