The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-01-10
DICKS GUEST.

ing to Richard Whinstone's catechism,
were the two chief ends of man.
He was single man ON principle. 1t
was the right thing economically, and
therefore right Individually.
To one person III the world Richard
Whinstone was generous, and that was
his dear friend, Richard Whinstone.
Richard Whinstone had done 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 out of doors for nonpay-
ment of rent, and finally had read lit
tie boy with pinohed and pitiful face
who had besought the price of loaf Of
bread and who said he had sick moth
er at home lecture on the sinfulness
of begging that evidently touched the
little wretoh's conscience, for he turned
aside and wept bitterly.
You're a good citizen, Dick" he
said as he sat down to dinner, 'and de-
serve to be rewarded. -
The dinner was one after his own
heart. 1t was treat he had promised
himself if 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 IS amen. stuck In his throat.
Safety normally begets placidity. The
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 life of quiet,
but the effect on Richard Whinstone
was different. The expense of dinner
his brain began to busy itself with
schemes of reimbursement.
The current of his thoughts was in
terrupted by loud knock. Who could
be coming on business at that hour?
Some one perhaps with bill to discount
in an emergency that would bear no
waiting. So much the better, and he
FASTENED to open the door.
"How are you, Dick?" the stranger
greeted him, with familiarity alto
gether too careless for a needy customer.
81 have not the pleasure of your &C.
quaintance, sir, " said Richard in a tone
more freezing than polite.
"But l know you very we'll, " 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" be contin-
ued, rubbing his hands before the fire.
~ haven't felt so much at home since
left there"
A hasty survey of his visitor added
alarm to Richards establishment. He
was wiry, i'll looking little man, in a
rusty suit of black, with wicked leer
on his face and one club foot.
81 say, Dick" the little man re.
sumed, holding his hands in the blaze
as if they were fireproof, what an in
hospitable dog you arel"
Whether hospitable or inhospita-
BILE, growled Richard. losing his tenn
per as he gained his courage. "is not
your business, but would like to know
what is.
"It's bad talking business on an
empty stomach.
81 don't gee how it's to be helped, I"
answered Dick doggedly.
Don't you see how it's to be helped,
you curmudgeon?" Numbered the little
man fiercely. with the remains of
such feast ON the table there must be
more where it came from"
upon my word" replied Richard
meekly, for he was getting frightened
again, "there ism t bite in the house.
Don't liel'' roared the other.
There's cold ham in the pantry and
deinijohn of brandy In the closet.
How do you know that?" 1t was on
the tip of Richards tongue to ask, but
he was too much amazed to speak.
''How do l know it?'' broke in the
stranger, as if reading his thoughts.
why. smell them. So bring them
put !"
AlChuEO WOuAO hdfO Out
his guest made movement which con-
WINGED him delay might be dangerous,
md the required articles were produced.
Without changing his seat, the little
Ian drew up to the table and began to
eat And how he did eat A chunk Of
ham, big enough for shark bait, was
stuck OH the point of the carving knife
and thrust down his throat with the
audacity of sword swallower. Another
and another followed, till nothing re-
manned but the bone, which he crushed
with his teeth and then sucked the
marrow.
"Now for punoh' he cried.
"There is no hot water" Richard
ventured to say.
water Who asked for water? Bring
me lemon, some sugar and kettle.
The kettle was placed on the fire.
The stranger filled it with brandy, add
ing lemon and sugar to suit his taste.
AS the liquor boiled over it caught fire,
setting the whole in blaze.
Richard jumped up to take it off.
The stranger caught his arm and flung
him back as if he had been child in.
stead of a substantial citizen of 200
pounds.
"What are you about?" he exclaimed.
1.-THE punch is doing we'll enough"
~ was only afraid the house might
be burned "
Bother the housel" replied the lit
tie man. "There's no danger"
"Your health, Dick, ;" at length he
said, and raising the kettle all blazing
to his lips he drank like dromedary.
land now, Dick, it's your turn" he
said, after long breath. "You must
drink my health now"
Richard drew back.
DRINK shouted the stranger. hold
ing out the vessel.
Poor Dick took single gulp. He left
the skin of his mouth on the brim of
the kettle, his throat was scorched as
with liquid fire and his hair was singed
by the blaze.
"And now to business" said the
stranger, resuming his seat and leaving
Dick to sit or stand as he chose.
''You knew John Walter, believer"
"Ye-yes, stammered Richard. 81
once knew person of that name. !"
"You and he went to California to-
gether?"