The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-01-17

8SEsJasl~NA taxes" said Joe
ITTT7Tm'[cmso POppinger, with
confident nod
of his head. ''He's taken that old
stone house, the Haunted House, the
neighbors call it, and he's moved into
it, bag and baggage, which amt much,
by the way"
"And servants with him, Joe?"
"Only one, a crooked old woman as
threw porringer of hot water over
me when came around to ak If could
be of any use. If they only owned n
black cat, I'd have the whole kit and
Doodle of 'em up for witchcraft.
never did come across such a queer
lot in all my life"
''Did you see the old man yourself,
Joe?"
''See him, Mr.. Herman? 1 seen
bundle of old bones tied round the
middle with palm leaf patterned
dressing gown and flannel night-cap
on his head, and / s'posed there
couldn't be two s1ch outlandish old
customers going He was n runnin'
in and out from the furniture van like
q crazy spider"
"That will do, Joe Here is n dol
lar for you"
Thank ee, sir. Much obliged to
you, sir"
And the stable boy, who belonged
to the hotel, shambled away, grinning
and pulling at the front of his cap,
while Herman Franklyn leaned, whist
ling, against the pillar of the front
piazza.
So old Miner Molineux had arrived
at last-the rich and eccentric rela-
tive, on the reversion of whose for
tune, real or supposed, lie had ali his
life been building aerial castles. At
last-and Herman resolved the very
next day to call and pay his respects,
although the old woman with tho hot
water did not add to the delights of
contemplating this visit.
eff 1 hadn't heard from his lawyer
that he had taken lease of the Stone
House" unused Mr.. Franklin, ST GER
tainly never should have buried myself
in this out-of-the-way place awaiting
his advent; and if hadn't thought /
could work into his good graces never
should have taken the trouble to hunt
him up. Heigho! Sometimes think
it would be easier to work for money
than to inherit it. "
And so the next day Mr.. Franklin
called
Miner Mollineux received him very
coolly, sitting among his treasures,
like Marius amid the ruins of Garth
age. But FRANKLIN noticed that he
kept one hand on the ring of a pad
locked iron box beside him as he
talked.
"Well, young man, and what do
you want?" he asked, impatiently.
when the old woman, who evidently
considered that Mr.. Franklyn was no
subject for the hot water treatment,
showed him in.
ITO inquire after your health,
Cousin Miner, said the young man,
smoothly.
"Humph' My health is well
enough Better than you wish it,
dare say
3, "My dear sir"
"But it will make no difference to
you, " acidly went on the old man.
still nervously lingering the rings of
the iron box. az don't deny that I
have treasure 20 leave behind me
" Herman Franklyn's eyes Qlist-
sned-"But il will he to those who
consult my wishes more than you have
done"
But, my dear cousin"
Words are very well, " said the old
miser, Struggling his shoulders. "but
deeds speak the loudest You know
very we'll my aversion to matrimony
and you go and engage yourself TO
get married to q girl who hasn't
penny Eh Don't you2" in a rising
infection like a bark "And then.
after coolly disregarding all my wishes.
you expect me TO leave you this
this tapping, as he spoke, on the
lid of the box
But, Cousin Miner, il you wish
me, will certainly adapt myself 70
your opinions, ] do not know that
-"
''StuT and nonsense" yelled the
old man "What you know or didn't
know is immaterial 10 me- Leave me
to my books and writing That's all
ask OF any man living"
80 Mr. Franklyn went moodily
away
must break my engagement,
said he 30 himself That's the first
thing. What the second will be de.
ponds entirely on fate and fortune.
Josie Hall was sitting in tho farm
house kitchen, peeling potatoes She
was black-eyed, damask checked
girl, with velvety eyebrows, and
round red dot Of mouth and in these
dark eyes gitterod a light half resent