, 1899-01-25
DICKS GUEST.

To get money and to keep it, accord
ing to Richard Whinstone's c%atechism,
were the two chief ends of man.
He was a single man ON principle. 1t
was the right thing economically, and
therefore right Individually.
To one person in the world Richard
Whinstone was generous, and that was
his dear friend, Richard Whinstone.
Richard Whinstone had done a good
days work. He had made one or two
profitable shaves. He had sold up the
Widow Marten and turned her and her
six children ont of doors for nonpay
ment of rent, and finally had Iead a lit
tie boy with a pinched and pitiful face
who had besought the price of a loaf of
bread and who said he had a sick moth
er at home a lecture on the sinfulness
Of begging that evidently touched the
little wretch's conscience, for be turned
aside and wept bitterly.
YOU'RE a good citizen, Dick" he
said as he sat down to dinner. land de-
serve to be rewarded"
The dinner was one after his own
heart. 1t was a treat he had promised
himself il things went right, and they
had gone right.
He ate, drank and was merry. If his
appetite lost its edge, the bottle of bur
gundy was there to whet it, and he fell
to again till the last morsel, like Mac.
beth's amen, stuck in his throat.
C-..,A,. 49,. Ill Nj
lion, the leopard and the lamb might
lie down together any day with perfect
safety to the latter provided the two
former had their bellies full. The boa
constructor gorged with an OK betakes
himself for a season to a life Of quiet,
but the effect on Richard Whinstone
was different. The expense of dinner
rested heavily ON his conscience, and
his brain began to busy itself with
schemes of reimbursement.
The current of his thoughts was in
terrupted by a loud knock. Who could
be coming on business at that hour?
Some one perhaps with a bill to discount
in an emergency that would bear no
waiting. So much the better, and he
hastened to open the door.
"How are you, Dick?" the stranger
greeted him, with q familiarity alto
gether too careless for a needy customer
II have not the pleasure of your ac-
quaintance, sir, " said Richard in a tone
more freezing than polite.
but l know You very well" return
ed the stranger, land pray don't let us
stand here bandying ceremonies. for it's
COMPOUNDED chilly" Saying which he
led the way to the apartment Richard
had Just quilted.
"Well, this is comfort, " he contin-
ued, rubbing his hands before the fire.
II haven't felt so much ut home since !
left there"
A hasty survey of his visitor added
alarm to Richards establishment. He
was a wiry, i'll looking little man, in a
rusty suit of black, with a wicked leer
on his face and one club foot.
81 say. Dick" the little man re.
sumed, holding his hands in the blaze
as il they were fireproof, what an in
hospitable dog you srel"
"Whether hospitable or inhospita-
BILE" growled Richard, losing his tenn
per as he gained his courage, sis not
your business, but l would like to know
what is"
'It's bad talking business on an
empty stomach"
~ don't see how it's to DO helped.
answered Dick %doggedIy.
"Don't you see how it's to be helped,
you curmudgeon?" Numbered the little
man fiercely. with the remains of
such a feast on the table there must be
more where it came from"
Upon my word" replied Richard
meekiy, for he was getting frightened
again, "there isn't bite in the house.
There's a cold ham in the pantry and
a demijohn of brandy in the closet.
How do you know thutl" it was on
the tip of Richards tongue to ask, but
he was too much amazed to speak.
"Huw do l know it," broke in the
stranger, as if reading his thoughts
"Why. | smell them. So bring them
out"
Richard would have demurred, but
his guest made a movement which CON
WINGED him delay might be dangerous,
and the required articles were produced.
Without changing his seat, the little
man drew up to the table and began to
eat. And how he did eati A chunk OF
ham, big enough for a shark bait, was
stuck on the point of the carving knife
and thrust down his throat with the
nudscity Of . sword swaIlower. Another
ind another followed, till nothing re-
,,ufped but the bone. which he crushed