The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-28
CTRANGE FOLK
~ QUEER THINGS
THE DWELLER IN THE
HAVEN.

When the veteran senior magistrate or
London retired, after more than thirty
years of service, there was partial read
justment among his juniors, and, OF course
a vacancy was left at the foot Ihree
years earlier the man who was CHOSEN 10
fill It, and who was most uncommonly gao
to be chosen, would have smiled at the
idea of it's being offered TO him. 1t yielded
less than a third part Of what had been
his income. and its acceptance closed the
avenue TO the distinctions on whlcn ne nao
set his heart He was a barrister In excel
lent practice, of unusual professional rae
ulty. and of striking social charm, and his
natural ambitions led him to look forward
to silk and a judgeship. Nobody ever
doubted that he would attain TO either, but
on a sudden he came TO an abrupt turning
point i'm his career. II all happened with a
tragic swiftness, and IL arose from an abb
surdlv simple cause. He walked from his
own smoking room TO the pavement to say
goodbye to a guest who was just driving
from his door. Something was said which
reminded him Of a droll story. He told the
story and went back to his house under
the cover of hearty laugh, and was alb
sent from an important case next day.
There had been snow on the ground, he had
taken chill, the chill had laid hold on the
vocal chords, and he had lost his voice.
Neither he nor his doctor thought of this
as more than a temporary inconvenience
at the first, but as time wore on the thing
began to look serious. Eminent specialists
were consulted. but none Of them brought
relief to the patient. He tried Cannes Ma
pies, Algiers. Egypt. all underskilled advice
and treatment, and all TO no avail The
i H. tu0C 4
enable him to speak in a husky whisper.
and IL was seen that his career as pleader
at the bar was definitely closed When the
event just recorded took place he was near
the end OF his resources, and the offer of a
metropolitan magistracy, with Its concom-
liant fifteen hundred year was very well
come to him. He dropped into the appoint
ment with perfect resignation, and in his
brave tempered way he professed to con-
graduate himself on having escaped from
the hurIy-burly of professional strife into
this quiet corner. He spoke of himself as
the Dweller in the Haven. He discharged
his duties with the diligence, dignity and
acumen which were expected Of him. and
his wit and gay humor kept him still one
of the most popular men in London.
1t is not so very long since the events
related here took place, but enough time
has gone by TO turn one social rarity into
a commonplace Everybody nowadays Is
familiar, at least with the newspaper gos-
sin. about the American multi-miliionaire,
his financial schemes. his wife's dresses
and her dances and diamonds, but when
Mr.. Rutherford Prudence first dazzled Lon
don with his millions, and outshone the
richest of Englishmen in the splendor or
his entertainments, he became/a very con-
spicuous figure indeed, and his name was
q household word. At the time Of the mill
ionaire's coming to England Mr.. Mortimer
Davenhill was at the zenith Of his practice
at the bar and the most inveterate diner
out in London. The two men met, as they
were bound to do, and they struck up
friendship for each other. There was
remarkable personal likeness between
them-a likeness so remarkable, indeed,
that they might have been twin brothers.
They were nearly Of the same age, just
of the same height, the same complexion,
and the same carriage Of the figure, and
the resemblance extended to eyes, nose and
the general contour of face and head, inso-
much that on a dozen occasions they were
mistaken for each other. And Ii was this
resemblance which led the Dweller in the
Haven to the queerest adventure Of his life
time, and laid the multi-millionaire under
tremendous obligation Of which he never
heard nor guessed. The whole thing hap
pened some years before his death, but he
died before Davenhil was at liberty to tell
him the story.
The magistrate had filed his new position
for a year or two. and had completely set
tied to his duties. He had had an uncom-
monty trying week. and when the court
over which he presided rose on Saturday
he was well pleased to step into hanson
and drive to Charing Cross on his way to
Dover and Calais. He would have but
single day on the pier and the sands, but
he was hungry for fresh air after the stuffy
atmosphere OF the court, and he started
nght-heartedly. Once aboard the steamer,
he lit a cigar and paced the deck, and sur
rendered himself to the sense OF holiday
making. He said afterward, when his lips
were unsealed by events, that he was
aware OF the fact that passenger who
was walking up and down the planks of
the steamer pointed him out to a compan-
ion. and that he was puzzled for moment
by an unsuccessful attempt to remember
where he had seen the man before. But
he was used to being identified and singled
out for observation, and he at once dis
missed the matter from his mind. When
the boat touched the pier he picked up his
handbag. and. threading through the crowd
of hotel touts, walked to his customary
hotel. There he engaged a bedroom, and
after brandy and soda strolled out into
the air Of the quiet night, which was dark
and starless. but invitingly fresh and
balmy. Like most men OF active mind, he
had knack OF allowing his thoughts to
hurry away with his feet, and, being inter-
ested just then in his own fancies, he
walked faster and farther than he knew
When at length he awoke and looked about
him he was surprised TO find himself at
some distance from the lights of the town.
The giant spokes OF the harbor lighthouse
were shining overhead. He stood to look
at them, and at the moment at which he
paused he heard a step behind him. Al
most before he could turn his hat was sent
flying from his head. and he found himself
s, IN a heavy rug and clipped by a strong pair
OF arms. He tried TO cry out, but he was
like a man imprisoned in a sack A second
later and his feet were plucked from be-
meath him and he was firmly seized about
the knees He was powerful and cour-
ageous man, and he gave his Saptors some
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