The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-09-18

II hear voice." said he. "a young
voice. Will you give me your hand, my
kind young friend, and lead me imp
held out my hand, and the horrible,
soft-spoken, eyeless creature gripped it
in moment like wise. 1 was 50 much
startled that struggled to withdraw;
but the blind man pulled me close up to
him with single action of his arm.
NOW, boy" he said, take me in to
the captain"
Sir" said l. upon my word I dare
not"
oh" he sneered. that's it! Take
me in straight. or Ill break your arm"
He gave it, as he spoke, wrench that
made me cry out.
Sir" said l, ut is for yourself mean.
The captain is not what he used to be.
He sits with drawn cutlass. Another
gentleman"
Come. now. march" interrupted he,
and never heard voice so cruel, and
cold. and ugly as that blind mans. It
cowed me more than the pain; and
began to obey him at once, walking
straight in at the door and toward tho
parlor. where the sick old buccaneer
was sitting, dazed with rum. The
blind man chung close to me, holding
me in with one iron fist. and leaning al
most more of his weight on me than
could carry. Lead me straight up to
him, and when lin in full view cry out:
Dere's u friend for you. Bill If you
don't, I'll do this:' and with that he gavo
me a twitch that thought would have
II, e..
] was SO utterly terrified by the blind
beggar that l forgot my terror of the
captain. and, rs opened the parlor
door. cried out the words he had Or
dercd in u trembling voice.
The poor captain raised his eyes, and
at one look the rum went out of him,
and left him staring sober. The express
sion OF his face was not so much of ter
ror us of mortal sickness. lie made q
movement to rise. but do not believe
he had enough force left in his body.
"Now. Bill, sit where you are" said
the bcggar. "lf can't see. can hear
finger stirring. Business is business.
Hold out your left hand. Boy, take his
left hand by the wrist. and bring it
ncar my right"
We both obeyed him to the letter, and
] saw him pass something from tho
hollow of the hand that held his stick
into the palm of the captains, which
closed upon it instantly.
And now that's DOME" said the blind
man; and ut the words he suddenly
left hold OF nc, and. with incredible
accuracy and nimbleness, skipped out
OF the parlor and into the road, where,
MS | stood motionlcss, l could hear his
stick go tnp-tnp-tnppng into the dis
lance.
1t was some time before either or
thecaptain seemed ogathcr our senses;
but at length. and about the same mos
mcnt. ! released his wrist, which was
still holding and he drew in his hand,
and looked sharply into the palm.
"Ten o'clock!" he cried "Six hours.
Wen do them yet" and he sprung to his
feet.
Even as he did SO, he rcclcd. put his
hand to his throat, stood swaying for
II moment, and then, with n peculiar
sound, fell from his whole height face
foremost to the floor.
i ran to him at once, calling my
mother. But haste was all in win.
The captain had been struck dead by
laundering npoplcxy. 1t is u curious
thing to understand, for had certain
ly never liked the man, though of lute
i had begun TO pity him. but as soon
us saw that he was dead. burst into
flood OF tears. 1t was the second
death had known. and the sorrow of
tho first was still fresh in my heart.