The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-02-26

was a very excitable, suspicious sort OF
q man."
IL never knew that"
'Well, he was, sir. He used to have
spells of it, sir-spells cali 'em. He
didn't seem able to sleep well at times.
He has once in awhile had me sleep on
the floor at the foot of mis- bed"
"Ah! Is that so".'
Not often, sir, but perhaps twice a
year, or whereabouts"
do you recall anything that might
have caused him uneasiness at those
times?"
well, did have sort of idea that
he might "a brought home some money
and was afraid O. bein' robbed of it,"
Can you remember ever having seen
anyone about just before or after those
spells?"
Matthews was silent, deep in thought,
for moment, then he said:
Eyes, do remember somethin' rather
odd, sir. 1t was when Mr.. WILDLY was
at the seashore in the summer, and mas
ter was maxim me sleep in his room
every night while he was gone. One
evenin' master told me he was lookin'
for a visitor to see him on important
business, and that was to stay back
here till he left"
did you see the man."
Eyes, sir. Iopened the door when he
rang"
"How did he iook?"
"Very queer-lookin' individual, sir, it
struck me. He looked like he might be
drinkin' man. He was tall and thin,
and had dark eyes and white hair. He
was so queer-lookin', sir, that thought
strange O. master havin' appointment
with him. To tell the truth, sir, kinder
thought it might be some poor relation
in trouble, that master didn't care for
people to see about. showed him into
the parlor and went back into the
kitchen. About Is minutes after that
I thought heard loud words and a
scramblin' O. feet in the parlor. Their
voices would sink down and then rise
up again like they was quarrelin'. I
was frightened, but was afraid o dis
pleasin' muster if went in, so l just
come as far as the room next to the par
lor."
did you then hear anything?"
"They kept it up, sir. Master seemed
to be arguin' with him in low, steady
voice, and the stranger would break in
and beat the table with his fist. Once l
heard him say he wanted half of>some-
thin, and just after master answered
I heard blows and the fallin' of chairs.
I thought had waited as long as l
could, and, grabbin' old pistol that l
always kept by me, I rushed in. Mas
ter was On one side of the room, behind
sofa, and the fellow was holdin' a
chair by the back and just about to
raise it. When he saw me and my pistol
he put down the chair, and, with an
oath, backed out of the room. l fol-
lowed him as far as the front door and
saw him spring over the fence and walk
away quick.
''Then / went back to master. To my
surprise, he was tryin' to smile as if
nothin' had happened; but he was as
white as ghost. For minute he
couldn't say a word. Presently he said:
"'Rather nasty temper he has, Mat
thews. My friend was little upset,
but he would have come around all
right. You frightened him away with
that pistol
Didn't he strike you, master" l
asked. 4 thought heard you fightin'.'
And then noticed a bruised spot on his
forehead which showed mighty plain
under his white hair an on his pale
skin. He saw me loollin' at it, and put
his hand over it, but he was so excited
he couldn't keep from shown that he
didn't want to let me know what the
cause of the trouble was.
"'That fellow was drunk master
said. I think his mind is wrong, too, a
little. Yes, he did strike me, and l reck-
on you were right to come when you
did
"Then he asked me if was sure my
pistol was loaded, and told me to sleep
in his room, and see that the windows
aud all the doors were locked"
"Was that all?" asked the colonel,
deeply interested.
Eyes, sir, except he made me promise
not to mention the affair to Mr.. Wild
by nor anyone else. I'm sure he didn't
sleep wink that night, for 1 heard
him rollin' and tumblin' in bed, an he'd
get up every now and then and eau
tiously look out of the window"
"After that, did you see anything to
indicate that Mr.. Strong was ever
frightened or greatly excited about
anything?"
"Nothin', sir, except he bought fine
watchdog, the one that died last win
ter, you know. He was always inter-
ested in him, and particular about leav-
in him unclaimed at night. Then do
seem to remember that now and then
master would get letter that would
excite him somewhat. They always
came in strengthening blue envelopes.
Once when l gave him one at break
fast he turned pale when he opened it,
and didn't finish catin'."
Col. Warrenton rose and knocked the
ashes from his cigar.
I've got an appointment down.
town." he said. 'See here, Matthews,
don't say anything about what you
have told me. / am investigating a
little on my own account in this mat
ter and 1 don't want anyone to know
it. Hold your tongue, and I'll see that
you don't lose anything by it,"