The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-03-12
Selett Storp>
A POST DATED PAPER.
From London Tit Bits.

hulD Inc WOru SJareu me Ill lIlG lace.
sang in my ears. Ruin, utter and complete
The prospects with which nay hopes had
been buoyed up during the last three years
faded away like phantom of the night
for in two days the once prosperous firm
of John Farmer & Co, of which | was
the sole partner, would be posted up us
unable to meet its engagements.
Borrow Bah Who would lend
Iii news travels fast, and the market
knew | had been badly hit for Il firm Of
my pretensions.
No; there was nothing for it but to face
the matter out quietly. For myself, it
would not mean much, but for her-ah q!
We had been engaged for Is months,
and with business looking SO prosperous we
had decided that the time was -propitious
to consummate our happiness, but this
rash speculation-what has it not done .
dashed all my hopes to the ground and
blighted all prospects OF our happy future.
And of this she knows nothing.
With heart of lead and cold drops of
agony on my brow, [ rose from my office
chair The evening was cold, and as |
passed out into the street neighboring
clock chimed {. For an hour or more L
wandered aimlessly about the streets,
until at last, feeling sick and i'll, entered
a little hostelry off the Strand and called
for glass of brandy.
At first was under the impression that
was the only occupant Of the room, but
an indescribable feeling that some one WIS
staring at me made me look up.
Seated in the furthest corner described
an object with two piercing eyes that
seemed to burn into my brain. could
not call him man. He looked to me to
be about + feet high. with Il face as pale
as death. His head was bald save for a
single lock that stood up straight as an ar
row in line with his nose. His mouth
was thin and delicate. with long, black
mustache dropping down on either side.
As looked at him he left his seat and
came toward me.
Pardon me, he said but you ap-
pear to be in trouble.
''Who is there that is not i'll trouble at
some time of life ?'' | answered. with Il
laugh.
What is it?' he asked. ',Iove?'
shook my head.
Then it must be money. he con-
GUIDED
Why?' | asked
The only things that trouble man i'll
this world are love and money Am not
right p
The value of your axiom am not in :
clined to dispute, " | answered. ''but,
since you seem to take an interest in me,
| don mind saying that, as regards my
self, the trouble is money.
:'Ah! thought -money-mOney-
nothing but money. Market up-mon-
ey made; markets down-money lost
Rich today-tomorrow ruin
You speak truly l answered.
If we only could tell. >
Tell what?' | asked.
What the morrow will bring forth.
IF we only could !!
I'VE would be millionaircs. he con-
tinued
''Multimillionaires, | assented.
And yet
YES.
IF were to tell you that at this mo-
ment | have in my pocket copy of to
morrow evenings Moon, you would not
believe me-
Il would not. [ answered
Il thought not, continued my strange
companion. The world Is full of skept-
les.
'.Do YOU ask me to believe that you are
in possession of information concerning
events which have not vet taken place 2
| asked
II ask you to believe nothing-I mere
ly state facts. .
"And what does your supernatural pa
per contain" | asked the state of the
markets p
1.-THE exact state OF the markets as they
will be at closing time tomorrow and the
actual results of tomorrow S racing.
"You must be wonderful wizard
And what is the price of this post dated
paper?'
What would it be worth to you?' he
asked
IF had any faith in what you tell me,
| would give you pounds for it, but as |
believe it would prove to be nothing more
than swindle don mind satisfying my
curiosity to the extent of couple of
shillings.
Many people would give flyer for
the racing results alone Make it half a
sovereign and it's yours
mot |, !" I answered Il never bet
on races.
THAT 5 no reason why YOU shouldn t.
Why, few pounds Invested on q horse
tomorrow will bring you in thousands
bah p | answered ''All talk. -
well, said the stranger with sign,
Il would like you to have it. 1t would
do you lot of coed, especially as you are
in money troubles. Say 5 shillings p
''Well, if ) sbillings will be of any
service to you, here they are / said,
producing two half crowns
"You will never regret it. | thank
you. And, placing a neatly folded pa
per upon the table, my mysterious friend
disappeared.
c.