New-York tribune., 1897-08-22
THE DEAD MANS HAND.

ings sharing his sitting room with another man
--TOlsOn West.
West was journalist: man Of considerable
learning and ability; artistic matters an au-
thoTity; but he by nature unohtrusive and
retiring, and TO us on THE Pioneer, apart from
his excellent work he was chiefly noteworthy
for his undisguscd admiration for Kelsall and
his tales. 1t was pleasure to see man 50 ap-
rreciative Of another. They lived together some
four years. and then Kosall was struck down
with fever He took a chill when he was re-
coverir =. and died; and there was no one who
auew man personally or through his writings
but SOrry.
1t was a terrible blow to West He had nursed
KelsaN with more than wOman's care all
through his illness. and he was nearly heart
broken when he died. Some of us tried TO cheer
him. but visits were not welcomed, and never
repeated And 50 he lived lone and solitary
man. nursing his gref-and drinking.
Then a most singular thing happened. West,
who went in for solid truth. or what he took for
it. and whom did not think capable of writ
ing a line of fiction to save his life, suddenly
came out as story writer. and in very snort
time bid fair to equal kelsall in reputation
And he didn't seem bit proud of it, but was
more annoyed than anything else when 1t was
referred to- as matter of fact. he pubilshed ms
tales under a pseidOnyme. This did not insure
secrecy: and a month after his first story al-
] ared we of THE Pioneer knew that "Caleb
] .rdcastle' and Tolson West were one and the
ne man.
ere long West threw up his journalistic
' rk and confined himself to his tales
They were just the antithesis OF kelsaii
Irl-li Writings. ana yet llCIt were AH'9V' WIN
knew Of the relationship of the two men, VINO
said they detected Kelsalls influence in them.
and even his humor. though most greWsoheiH
Inetamorphosed. Some indeed went so far as
TO say that West was palming off Kelsals un-
published work as his own; in no other way
could they account for his outburst as writer
All the while West. instead of being elated
Iy his sudden good fortune. seemed to grow
more depressed and reserved till at last he be
came absolutely misanthroplc: lie would smut
himself up in his sitting room for days at time.
.1- l,.ff fCil L.
the room: nothing seen Of him. and nothing
heard but the interminabe "click' Of his type
writer.
But his tales They fairly carried you away
with them Never since Swift was there such
clustio wit and biting satire; never since POE
such abandonment to the grotcsque and the ter
rihle His plots were daring 10 temerity, ana
before long il was rumored that on this account
some of the magazines were refusing them
l was sitting in my room one night when
note was brought to me:
For Gods sake comet West.
was somewhat surprised much to receive
the note itself at its emotional wording. for
l scarcely reckOned myself among his friends
indeed l did not know he had any.
Fearing he had met with an accident. l put on
my hat at once and made straight for his rooms.
His landlady met me at the door.
Il was to take you UP directly you came. sir,
she said and then coniidentially, "and I'm more
than glad Mr.. West has sent for you. l don't
know what's come over him of late
rs he ill., them
"No sir; leastways not as knows Of. but
haven't seen him for week. He hasn't been
7ut Of his room since last Thursday"
BY this time had reached Vests door.
Mrs Harper knocked and called out:
"Mr Bethel. sir
The door was flung open, and West stood on
the threshold. He almost dragged me in' ana
then slammed the door in his andlady's face.
He looked at ne for a moment in nervous
hcstating way. then sat down. buried his face
In his hands and burst into tears
Come come, man." l said. what the dickens
is M? You've got a beastly fit of the blues
ANYWAY You've been overworking yourself
He made no reply: so to give him time to re-
cover himself walked around the room, h9tlns
details as did 50. The place was dirty and un-
tidy to the last degree and it had evidently
served as a living and sleeping room for some
time. Unwashed plates and cups were scat
tered among books and papers, empty spirit
bottles were thrown about on the noor, ana
half-fled one stood on the table with a tuni-
bier beside it. BY it was the typewriter with
n blank sheet of paper in it. and all around
were innuincrable sheets of typewriter copy
On the sofa were pillows, rugs and blankets;
and the fireplace chaotic with cinders.
West had somewhat recovered by this time
and came toward me. He was terribly changed.
Never robust at his best, he now looked like
lroken-down old man. All life seemed To have
left his drawn and blOOdeSs face; ms eyes SIlt-
tered with an unnatural light; his hair was
strcakcd with gray. His clothes were dirty
and dishcvelled, and doubted If he had washed
fOl a week
Bethel" he said, as he came up to me, I'm
glad you've come. / don't think l could have
stood ii a day longer"
stood what. old chap? Your room? don't
windows and have the place cleaned? You
ought to go out for some fresh air
He looked at me in a piteous way
Il can't, Bethall; l can't. Would to heaven
/ could
"Nonsense man" said in as cheery tone
as | could assume; come out with me. You
can tell me all about it then" and made as il
for the door
'Don't leave me- Bethel" he cried clutching !