The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-23
THE GOLD BUG
By Edgar Allan Poe.
LContlnued From Last sunday-)

| There was something IN the tone OF this
note which gave me great uneasiness.
| Its whole style differed materially from
| that OF Legrand. What could he be
| dreaming of? what new crotchet pos
| sessed his cxcitable brain? What "busi-
ness Of the highest Importance could he
| possibly have to transact? Jupiter's &C
| count OF him BODIED no good / dreaded
lest the continued pressure Of misfortune
| had, at length. fairly unsettled the rea-
| son OF my friend. without 2. moments
| hesitation, therefore, 1 prepared TO ac-
company the negro.
Upon reaching the wharf. I noticed a
scythe and three spades. al apparently
new. lying in the bottom OF the boat in
which we were 10 embark.
what is the meaning OF all this. Jup7"
! inquired.
Him syfe. massa. and spade"
Every true; but what are they doing
here?"
Him De syfe and de spade what Massa
VIII sis pom my buying FOR him in de
town. and de debbirs own lot OF money l
had 10 glib for en-"
But what. in the name OF all that Is
mysterious. is your 'Massa VIII going TO
do with scythes and spades
Oats more dan 7 know, and debbil
take me II don't b'leve Z IS more dan
he know too. But II g all cum oh de
bug"
Finding that no satisfaction was 10 be
obtained OF Jupiter whose whole intel
Iect seemed TO be absorbed by "de bug"
7 now stepped into the boat and made
sail. with a fair and strong breeze we
soon ran into tho little cove 10 The north
ward OF Fort Moultrie. and a walk OF
some two miles brought We 20 the hut
II was about three IN the afternoon when
we arrived. Lrgrand had been awaiting
us IN eager expectation. He grasped my
hand with n nervous empire ssement which
alarmed me and strengthened the sus-
plcions already entertained. Ilia count@-
nance was pale even 10 ghastliness. and
his deep-set eyes glsred with unnatural
lustre After some inquiries respecting
his health I asked him. not knowing
what better to say. II he had vet obtained
the scarataeus from Lieutenant C..
"Oh. yes" he replied coloring violent
". 81 got Il from him the next morning
Nothing should tempt me 10 part with
that scarabaeus. DO you know that
Jupiter l. quite right about it7"
in what way?' asked. with sad
| foreboding at heart.
TN supposing II 10 be bug Of real
gold" lie said this with an air OF pro
found seriousness, and felt ineXprcssi-
bly, shocked
This bng is 20 make my fortune he
continued with a triumphant smile. "to
reinstate me in nv family possessions
L. It any wonder. then. that ] prize II?
Since Fortune has thought 1T 10 bestow
a. upon me. ] have only 10 use a. properly
and / shall arrive at the gold OF which
It IS the index. Jupiter bring me that
scarabaeusi"
what de bug massa? Ia rudder not
20 fer trubble dat bug.-you mus git him
for your own self" Hereupon Legrand
arose with grave and stately air. and
brought me tho beetle from glass case
IN which IL was enclosed. II was beau
tful scarabaeus. and at that time. I'M
known 10 naturalists.-of course a great
prizo in scientific point Of view. There
were two round black spots near one
extremity OF the back and the long one
near the other. Tho scales were exceed
ingly hard and glossy. with all the APP
poarauce 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 IL: but what 10 make or
Legrands concordance with that opinion
l could not for the life Of me tell.
II sent for You" said he I'm gran
diloquent tone when ! had completed my
examination OF the bcetle.-"I sent for
you. that / might have your counsel and
assistance I'm furthering the views OF Fate
| and Of the bug
"Aiy dear Legrand." 7 cried. interrupt
ing him. "you are certainly unwen. and
had better use some little precautions.
You shall 20 10 he'd. and / will remain
with you few days. until you get over
this You are fcverish and"
Feel my pulse" said ne.
felt ~. and. 10 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 90 TO bed. In
the neXt'
''You are mistaken" he interposed: Il
am as well as 1 can expect TO be under
the excitement which ! suffer. II YOU
really wish me well. you will relieve
this excitement"
"And how is this 10 be done"
every easily Jupiter and myself ere
going upon an expedition into the Ellis.
upon tho mainland. and, in this eyqedi-
ton. We shall need the aid OF some per
son I'm whom NO can confde. You are
the only one We can trust. Whether we
succeed or fail. tho excitement which you
now perceive in me will be equally al
lay-d."
Il am anxious to oblice you in any
way" replied but do you mean 10
say that this Internal beetle has any con-
nection with your expedition into the
hills"
ct has"
Then Legrand 7 can become party
TO no such absurd proceeding"
Il am sorry-ycry sorry,-for we shall
have TO Try II by ourselves
TRY il by yourselves The man Is
surely mad but stayl-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 ne. upon your
honor, that when this freak OF yours is
over. and the bug business good GodD
settled 10 your satisfaction. you viii then
return home and follow my advice im-
plicitly. as that OF Your physician
Yes. 7 promise. and now let us be or.
for we have no time 20 lose"
with a heavy heart 7 accompanied my
friend We started about four o'clock
Legrand Jupiter the dog and myself
upiter had with him the scythe and
spades. the whole OF which he insisted
upon carrying more through fear. 70
seemed 20 me, OF trusting either OF the
implements within reach Of his master
plaisance. His demeanor was dogged In
the extreme. and dat deuced bug" were
the sole words which escaped his lips