The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-09

5 The Surviving Heart. 5
q "
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

stands the charred ruins Of an inn
which in Its day afforded welcome
shelter and rest TO many a wayfarer.
Several years after the Revolution
pike was opened ten miles to the
southwark and the ancient thorough
fare became a mere byway. Some of
the regular travellers, however. who
had grown used to the richness Of its
larder, still patronized the tavern. but
on many an evening its landlord. Joel
Beggs, sat alone in the tap room,
which had been wont to resound with
the rollicking song or the hearty laugh
following a gay tale, ruminating upon
the decay OF his fortunes or lamenting
to neighborhood crony.
One october night in 1850 the
queer tale runs-he sat smoking his
briarwood pipe by the great wood
stove and looking curiously at a
stranger who occupied Il chair by a
table In the corner. The man had ar
rived about an hour before, had hai
his overridden horse put up. had
etalked into the tap room, where he
had declined to register and refused
supper. He had taken the chair by
the table and had not risen from IL
since. A black cape fell to the tops Of
his heavily spurred boots entirely con-
cealed his figure, which might, how
ever, have been surmised to be ex-
tremely gaunt. Long and kinky locks
hung to his shoulders, and from their
raven mass his face looked out with
almost startling pallor and his eyes
seldom left the hands of the tall clock
back of the bar He had dropped his
cooked hat upon the table. and placed
beside It box neatly raped in oil
skin.
Beggs had essayed socialbllty by
asking as to the condition of the roads.
"Damnable." had been the answer.
Repelled by the tone, rather than
the adjective, which was mild tap
room profanity, the landlord had taxi
en- turn about the room and then
made a second effort
"Is there anything 1 can do for you.
sir?"
NO" was the impatient reply, but
you can make out my bill as IL 1
had kept your scullions working like
devils. You can DO something else
lie. me alone"
Joel had betaken himself to his chair
and pipe and the stranger had relapsed
into pointed silence. But as the form
er had continued to study his odd
guest he suddenly Strengthened UP. put
his hands upon his knees and openIv
stared. The stranger did not notice
"a
the room at the moment. stopped short
upon seeing the landlords posture.
and also turned his small eyes upon
the stranger. After a moment or two
he walked to the stove.
Hello, Lewie," greeted Beggs with
drawing his eyes from his guest. "Glad
you come in. It's a damp night and
mighty lonesome"
1T is damp and it's come foggy. too.
But i didn't come in to talk about the
weather, Joel Old Sydney's home"
They looked at each other, then with
one accord cast wondering glances at
the stranger, who kept his eyes stead
lily upon the face Of the clock.
you don't mean it?" observed the
landlord at last, again withdrawing his
gaze. when did he Gomez"
ms Il6Hlldll lie come through
the village at mad gallop, mud from
mead to foot, and his horse dashed
with froth. I caught sight Of the old
man as he passed Ridley's store. His
face was as pale as corpse's and his
eyes looked as If the devil had been
chasing him for many a good mile"
He'd a-been chasing his own, then. -
said Beggs, rising.
He walked 10 side window, where
Stiles Joined him. They turned their
eyes upward. There was a light
blurred by the fog, high up as II from
house on a hill.
Il was up there just afore | came
in,' said Stiles in a half whisper. 81
went round on to the big porch to the
window where the light is. Old Sydney
has a bright fire burning on his hearth
and he was sitting before it in bis
armed chair. He was all bowed for.
ward. gripping his knees and shiver.
Ing like he was cold. A ghost couldn't
a.been whittier and fellow that see,
the ghost couldn't a-been more afear.
ed"
s.T,