The record-union., 1895-03-30

was, Not one dollar, Horton, until 1
die! Have patience. for it must all go to
| Maryn
Must I confess it, Llenroc? Yes. 1
can confess anything to you, after what
have already confessed. These words,
| MOI dollar-not a dollar until l dep
sounded continually in my ears. The
event that seemingly placed fortune in
my hands frequently required to my
memory, but in the conviction that I was
IN noWlse benefited by it, the mere pros
pect Oh immense wealth only made it's
Rossesslon more desirous and tantaliZng.
Inc crlme'-ah, the crime that had placed
fortune IN close view seemed the blacker
si.ice no advantage had come from 1.-THE
oIt-fepeated, with complacent smiles,
MOI dollar, not dollar until | dien
at limes the most inopportune aroused
III me deslre-why mince the words p
| an intense desire that the old man might
pe called hence, and the sooner the better,
| 50 1hat could enjoy the money to OBJ
taln which had committed murder
| Y ou remember, Llenroc my applica-
Ilon TO you IN November. six years ago;
YOU remember It's extreme urgency and
Inc partial success which attended it,
suiiuciehI, SUI however, to keep me in hiding.
| (Inere was law at that time for imprison-
ment Tor debt.) You might well, as you
uld, express surprise that my wife's tather
! would permit such a state OF things to
exist, Dut he could suffer anything ex-
| cept to part With his money. He was a
| mlser. Ills love of money had grown
with the possession of it; he would deny
| himself the comforts of life to accumulate
wealth, but he was always ready to ac-
| cept meal or favor from his poor
| Irlends rather than part with one cent.
| having been poor most of his life, he had
grown TO worship money, not for it's use,
! put simply that he might gloat over it,
| \ neXpectedly coming into possession of
| a zll q ind ntll lTy u
| one extent, that of accommodating more
| ana 10 hOld on to it. He would suffer any
| thlng to occur to his son-in-law and MS
! daughter rather than part with one dollar
| OF his unexpected possessions. The love
! OF money IN its proper channel is lauda-
| Die, but when that greed for more fills
heart and mind, the unhappy being be-
comes not only a thief, but a scoundrel OF
! the deepest die He will sacrifice honor,
| honesty and every attribute OF an up
| right man TO add to his store. If there is
! a hell, then hell is paved with such men.
" 1t was about this time that my father
In-laW was seriously attacked by a disease
with which he had long suffered, one re-
| curing the most prompt and etli-
cient medical aid but from
| whose attacks on former occasions
! he had readily recovered. Mary, of
| course, was very attentive TO her father;
| IN TACT, devoted most OF her time 10 him
and his welfare. On Christmas Eve,
when on our way to his bedside, we met
! his old family physician leaving the
! house. \ ou are going, perhaps, to spend
/ the night with my patient said DR.. Nc
! CleIlan. My wife replied: My husband
| is going to spend an hour or two, ac-
/ cordIng to circumstances, with my
/ father; as for me, have particular
! engagement this evening, and am only
! going TO see how he is doing"
The doctor spoke up and said: i
| have some fear that he is going to have
another attack; and, turning TO me- said:
! If you see any premonItion, send for
me at once; the prompt use Of the lancet
! only will save him. But have no fear, my
| dear madam, if the attack does take place.
| ''She left, and l seated myself in a
chair alongside the bed. My situation was
| peculiar one. l reflected: Here was an
! old man who stood between me and
wealth and happiness; had l not already
morally murdered others Who is II
! that stands upon the middle rung Of the
! ladder that leads to the realization of my
! hopes? l at the foot, an old man be-
| tween me and the top-an old man who
has almost lived his allotted span of life
| one who would not throw a crumb of
| bread 10 ne and to his daughter, the
| only one connected by blood to him; who
| would see his sOn-in-law in hiding, his
| family in want, and yet say: Horton,
my son, not one dollar until | die-aII
must go to Mary!'
'LIenroc, fill my glass; it requires a
| stlmulant to enable me TO go through
| what follows. Imagine my feelings, i'm
| agine my thoughts, my hatred, If you
can. Hatred-yes, hatred is the proper
name-that was IN my heart at that
| moment [ was there alone with him:
| he was lying asleep, almost III
| comatose state; il dreaming he
was - dreaming of his wealth in
! lands and gOld-it seemed to my per-
! turbed mind that he was chuckliug over
the amount of his possessions; that he
| had deprived his only child OF the neces-
saries Of life She that had always been
accustomed to comfort, if not luxury
! There he was lying upon the verge of the
grave, the only one in my way!
''Sucn were the thoughts that coursed
rapidly through my already teYered
brain. Murder was in my heart. Had |
not already been the instrument for TAX
ing away ALL as l then believed, that
stood between me and my heaven? All
that l had hoped for upon earth? 4
handkerchief firmly placed over his
mouth and nostriIs for few moments
and he would be no mOre-a consumma-
ton devoutly to be wished! There was
no one to see; no one TO know it; no
trace OF violence. The doctor would see
the abrupt recurrence of a fatal attack
Had he not expected 1t? And | would
be in possession of ell the old mans
wealth-that wealth that l had dreamed
OF tor so long time, and for which l mad
already committed three murders
There was but dim Ilte-light flicker
ing before me, which the slightest effort
could extinguish forever. Was l a Grim
inal in thought? | was a criminal in
reality. 1t is the heart that commits
murder-the means are but the weak
instruments of the mind, You know al
ready that l was a criminal in fact as
we'll as in thought. Why should l hesi-
tate now in adding an additional link to
the chain that had already forged?
But enough of that. Please pass me
the brandy. There was table near me
with several bottles upon it; one was
labeled 'Laudanum.' While l held
| 1t between my fingers the demon within
me ragged tremulOusly. At this moment
| the sick man asked for a drink. Was
| this the time, was this the moment to re-
heve myself of all my difficulties, Of all
EN- barrassments, and place myself in the
haven OF delight that | had been dream
/ ing of for so many years? The temDta-
/ ton was almost irresistible, yet l did re-
/ slst. laid down the laudanum and gave
/ the old man what he wanted; but a
moment atterward | called myself fool
for having neglected the only opportu-
! nlty that might ever again enjoy of OBJ
tanning all | wished and hoped for.
| Il had fully satisfied myself of nv
| loolishueSS when certain indications that
could not be mistaken assured me that
/ the doctors fears were about to be
! realized, and they were instantly, and TO
/ the fullest extent. The Doctors parting
! words recurred to me. The prompt use
| OF the lancet! Should l be a fool again?
! My heart beat quick. [ arose, reseated
/ myself, rose again, listened and again
sat down, pressed my fingers in my ears
| TO keep out the low prOanS the on rcrIi,,cr