The Florence daily tribune., 1899-03-27
DICKS GUEST.

To get money and to keep it, accord
ing to Richard Whinstonos catechitm
were tho two chief ends of man.
He was a single man ON principle. 1t
was the right thing economically. and
therefore right indubitably
To Que person in the world Richard
Whinstono was generous, and that was
his dear friend, Richard Whmstone
Richard Whinstone had done good
days work. He had made ono or two
profitable shaves. He had sold up the
Widow Marten and turned her and her
six children out of doors for nonpay
ment of rent, and finally had reid lit
tie boy with pinohed and pitiful fpee
who had besought the price of a loaf of
breud aud who said no had sick n 9th.
or at home a lecture ON the siufulness
of begging that evidently touched the
littlo wretch s conscience, for he turned
aside and wept bitterly.
YOU'RE y good citizen Dick, ho
said ms he sat down to dinner. "and de.
serve to he rewarded. "
Tho dinner WAS one after his own
heart. 1t was treat he had promised
himself II things went right, and they
had gone right.
He ute, drank and was merry If his
appetite lost its edge, the bottle Of bur
gupdy was there to whet it, and he fell
to again till the last morsel like Mac.
beth's amen, stuck in his throat
Safety normally begets plaoidity. The
lion, the leopard and the lamb might
lie down together any day with perfect
safety to tho lattor provided the two
former had their bellies full The bon
constructor gurged with an OK bctakos
himself for senson to u life Of quiet
but tho effect on Richard Whiustoue
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 u bill to discount
in an emergency that would bear no
waiting So mnch the better, and he
hastened to open the door
How are you, Diokg' the stranger
greeted him, with "a familiarity alto
gether too careless for n needy customer
IL have not the pleasure of your nc
quaintance, sir, said Richard in tone
more freezing than polite.
But know you very well, A." return
cd the stranger, "and pray don let us
stand here bandying ceremonies, for it's
corfouuded chilly Saying which he
led the way to the apartment Richard
had just quilted
well, this is comfort be contin.
ued, rubhing his hands before tho fire
81 haven't felt so much at home since ]
left there.
y basty survey Of his visitor added
alarm TO Richards astonishment He
WAS why. III looking little man, in a
rusty suit of black, with wicked leer
on his face aud one club foot
II say, Dick, " the little man re
sumed, holding his hands in the blaze
as if they were firepIoof, what an in
hospitable dog yuu prep'
Whether hospitable or inhospita,
Bile, growled biohard, losing his tenn.
per as he gained his courage, " S not
your business, tut would like TO know
what is
Its bad talking business ON an
empty stomach.
~ don't see how it's to be helped,
answered Dick dJaGedly
Don I you see now it's to be helped.
you ourmudgeon?' thundered the little
man fercely with the remains of
such feast ON the table there must be
more where it came from
Upon my word,'' replied Richard
meekly, for ne WAS getting frightened
again, there isn II II bite in the house "
Don't Lief roared the. other
There's cold ham in the pantry and
demijohn of brandy in the closet, z"
How do you know that?'' it was on
the tip of Richards tongue to ask, but
he was too much amazed to speak
How do | know it?" broke in the
stranger, as if reading his thoughts.
why. ! smell them. So bring them
out.
Richard would have demurrod, but
his guest made movement which con
WINGED him delay might be dangerous,
Ind the required articles were produced.
Without changing his seat, the little
man drew up TO the table ana began TO
eat And how lie did cat! a chunk of
ham. big enough for shark bnit, was
stuck ON the point of the carving knife
and thrust down his throat with the
audacity of sword swallower Another
and another followed. till nothing re-
mlined but the bone. which he crushed