The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-03-26
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPIEk ANl.
"He's gone-his soul hath taken its earthly flight
Whittier? dread to think-but he is gone.'
-Manfed
Dear reader we must again re-
turn to the obscure abode of Mel
Riley, and for the last time to be-
hold the tragic conclusions of a life
abandoned to crime and intemper-
ance. Seated in the mouldering
hall, around that crazy old deal
table, which supported black,
earthen jug and several wretched
drinking cups. were Mel and Cul-
pepper. The night was dark and
the old house gloomy and silent
situated in the wild seclusion of
barren and uncultivated wastes.
Mel pushed his feet out towards
the smoking brands on the hearth,
and continued the conversation
more moodily, which he had been
striving to carry on in a lively and
jovial vein.
81 say you are churlish, Cul-
pepper-downright churlish, to re-
fuse a social glass with old friends. :"
III have accepted the social glass
too often," replied the surly guest,
"with those who termed themselves
friends-so often, indeed, that l
came near losing my position as a
man among the human family"
"Those who termed themselves
friends " said Mel, repeating the
others words with a scornful sneer,
"you say you have been social with
and did they not always Prove
themselves friends"
"NO-men that have led me to
degradation are pretty creatures to
style friends, to be sure :" returned
Culpepper.
"You were never difficult to
tempt, God knows. Ha! hal"
laughed Mel. "Followed without
much persusionn'
"Be the past as it may" said
Culpepper, reddening with rage, 81
have done with the filth In future
my skirts shall be kept clear of the
pollution ~
"Since you have become so COM
punctious," returned Mel, iron
ically, "I suppose You will think
yourself obliged to make open and
clear confession to your temperance
friends and condolers of your past
sins; standing fair chance there
by, for your humility of swinging
betwixt heaven and earth, at the
hands of those newly made friends,
for the valuable aid you rendered in
peddling Rose Tomlin out of the
world. Ha ha! hal"
"Laugh while you may" said
Culpepper, "but there's an hour
approaching when, perhaps, the
subject will not not afford mirth
sufficient to excite your risibility."
"What you traitor! would you
dare betray your best friends?" "
exclaimed Mel, passionately.
"My best friends" returned his
companion. "And who are those
friends, l pray you?"
"Have | not been a friend to
you? Has not Helen7 Was not
Miles O'Ferguson while he lived
And would you-yes, you who have
been provided for by us all-be
guilty of one of the blackest sins
ingratitude?" Mel exclaimed
wildly; growing fearful as the dread
thought rose up in horrors shape
before his fevered Imagination.
"Friends? and what kind of
friends have We been?" said Cul,
pepper. "Friends to entice me
away from the paths of virtue and
usefulness, in order to promote your
own selfish ends! Friends that
have besotted one that l might
assist you in your own dark de-
signs! Friends, who have befriend-
ed me to make me a party in your
felony and crimes? Can such
friends or friendship promote hap,
e piness and peace? What reward
has your unhallowed career brought
e you? Degradation, misery, wretch
= edness! You have seen your fam.
lily scatter like chaff before the foul
winds of heaven! You have taxed
.. your brain and perjured your soul
to obtain a miserable subsistence
and what is your reward! Igno
miny, ruin and death " Culpeppel
r shouted, stamping his feet violently
on the tioor-the preconcerted sig,
nal. The rapid tramp of men was
heard the next moment on the
porch, with a violent rush against
the door. Mel sprang to his feet
his haggard and bloated features
more wildly distorted by fear anC
apprehension. The men rushed in
and Mel retreated through the dool
of an adjoining apartment. "Stand
or sUa, Aia - Sai1 tho oOnOko bI n