The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1895-08-02

! repaired to my lawyers, and saw the
clerk.
"Ah,' he said, s'the poor old mans
gone at last! Went out like the snuff
Of Il candle. His illness was only
t~wenty-four hours. Well, he's gone to
heaven, if ever a man did"
What did he die of-too much eating
and drinking?'
Mr.. Lucraft," said the clerk, severe
ly. "thiS is not the tone for you to
adopt towards that distinguished
man, your benefactor. He died, sir
being Il man of moral, temperate and
even abstemious life, though of full
habit-of a~poplexy."
"Oh!' I said, careless what the clerk
said, but glad to be quite sure that the
diabolical old villain was really dead.
I suppose that was such joy over
the death of that numbering glutton,
for whom no words Of hatred were too
strong.
81 think you've got to see our senoir
partner" said the clerk. "Step this
way
He lead me to a room where /
found a. grave and elderly gentleman
sitting at a table.
s.Mr. Lucraft," he said. 'I was ex-
pecting you. l saw your late patrons
negro this morning. He told me that
you would CALI
I stared, but said nothing.
81 have q communication to make to
you, on the part of u departed friend,
Mr.. Ebenezer G~rumbelow. 1t is dated
a few weeks since, and it is to the eff
feet that q sum of money which I hold
was to be placed in your hands in case
of his death. This. it appears, he an
ticipated, for some reason or other"
"Ebenezer Grumbelow." That was
the name which had so long escaped
Observation-Disclosures Grumbelow. ;"
I said nothing, but stared with all my
eyes.
"My poor friend" the lawyer went
on. ssafter remarking that unless YOU
change your unfortunate habits YOU
will come to no good, gave me this.
himself-here is the check-so
that it will not appear in his last will
and testament"
I took it in silence.
"Well. sir.'-he looked at me- in some
surprise-"have you no observation to
make, or remark to offer, on the zen
erosity?'
"None," [ said.
81 do not know" he continued; 'I do
not know-your signature here, if you
please--what reason Mr.. Grumbelow
had in taking you up, or what claim
you possessed upon his considerations;
but I think, sir. | do think, that some
expression, some sense Of regret, is
due
I buttoned up the check in my pocket.
"Mr. GrumbelOw was i philanthrO-
pist, I believe, sir"
He was. AS 4 philan hropists, as a
supporter Of cllarities.as a public donor
Of great amounts, Mr.. Grumbelow's
name stands in the front. So much we
all know
"a religious man, too"
"Surely, surely; n of our most deep
Iy religious men. A man who was not
ashamed of his sanity profession"
, "Cluck-cluck"
It was the familiar face of Boule-de-
neige at the door.
"You know, l suppose" said the law
yer, mir. Grumbelow's body-servant,
a truly Christian negro:'
"Was there" 1 asked. 'sany clause in
Mr.. Grumbelow's letter-any condi-
tons attached to this gift?"
"None whatever. 1t is a free gift.
Stay, there is q postscript which l
ought to have read to you. You will
perhaps understand it. In it Mr.. Grum-
below says that as to the services rem
dered by him to you, and by you to
him, it is best for your own sake to
keep them secret"
Ibowed.
The date Of the check corresponded
with the first illness Of the old man
his affection of. the throat. Probably
he was afraid that I should reveal his
infamous story,
SI may now tell you, Mr.. Lucraft.
without at all wishing to break any
confidence that may have existed be-
tween you and the deceased, that a
friend of Mr.. Gcumbelow's-no other
indeed, than the Rev. Jabez Jumbles,
a pulpit name doubtless known to you
intends to write the biography of this
distinguished and religious man. as an
example to the young. Any help you
can afford to so desirable an end will
be gratefully received. Particularly,
Mr.. Lucraft, any communication on the
subject of his continual help given to
young men, who regularly disappointed
him, and all, except yourself, died OF
drink"
1 bowed again and retired.
Did anyone ever hear of such q wick
ed old man?
Outside the office l was joined by the
negro.
what have you got to say t o me, de.
testable wretch?' l cried. shaking my
fist in his withered old face.
"Cluck-cluck! .NIassas not angry with
poor old Boule-de-neige? How young
massa? Young massa pretty well:
How de lubly abbadide of the young
gegleman? How him strong stumjack:
CiOuck-cluckn