Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-01-09
nut himself in an attitude Of defense.


"Come on, str!" he cried. Come one
come all--and Britons strike home!''
Here he lunged at the young man, who
seemed much surprised at his behavior
ERE, cheese it," exclaimed the
youth IF you're a-doin' 1t to keep
yerself warm. all right: on'y it amt
pretty. wanted to ave Il word with
you
Mr.. Taggett Immediately lowered his
arms and became dignified: folding his
arms, he nodded to the young man to
proceed. II was mistaken, SIR" he
said.
II should think you was" replied the
other. But I seed you come out OF
that 'ouse, an 1 thought maybe you
could give me a little information about
J the folks inside of it. I'm Il good deal
interested in the people in that 'ouse."
"Indeed?" said Mr.. Taggett. glanc-
ing at his companion, and mentally Mt
ting him with a red wig and q smock
frock and putting him on as the comic
countryman. "In what way?"
Its bit cold, talking in the street.
amt it?" returned the youth, insinuat-
ingly. Suppose we was to step round
the corner and see what they keep
there, eh?"
II perceive. SIR" said MIR. Taggett
smiling genially, that you are young
wardness of things. Curiously enough,
this is about the hour at which gem
orally Stake a thirst which has ere now
proved expensive. Do not be alarmed.
However" he added, as the face of the
youth grew suddenly grave. 81 have
reduced it to a mere matter OF pence
through sheer necessity"
Reassured, the gentleman of the New
market coat led the way into side
street and to u small bar which
opened conveniently at a corner. There.
after imbib;ng lert of glass OF hot
spirits, tho spirits of Mr.. Taggett rose
somewhat, and he became commune
cative. II drink to you, sir" he said,
as sort of after:hcught.
Thanks. I 81 Cited you Wen I saw
you comm out of that 'ouse yesterday,
with an old gent with a sort of twist i'll
is legs"
-Ah, my honest friend. Cornelius Wee
vers." broke in Mr. Taggett. "a
strange creature-yet with his good
points. In the matter of liquor, find
that his tastes agree with mine admir-
ably. But he has queer notions in his
head-very queer notions, my young
friend
COWS that?' asked the other, indif-
ferently.
Mr.. Tagge.t leaned toward him and
lowered hist voice to a confidential
whisper. HE believes, my dear sir,
that that house, from which ] have
just come, is haunted-or part of it. at
least. Think of that-for sane mani"
The ungainly youth suddenly became
deeply interested. 1--WE card about
that from good many people" he said,
nodding his head, sagely. "It's been
put about that ghosts walk there-and
lights are seen-and all that kind of
thing; take my tip, it's a fake"
Personally said Mr.. Taggett, slow
ly and thoughtfu]ly II do not believe
in such things. But perhaps there is a
reason for my excellent friend, Wee
vers, taking a melancholy interest in
such rhirgs. He told me yesterday,
over a friendly glass (and in this very
house, by the way,) that he had once
lost dear son. Probably the unhappy
fate-whatever it may have been-of
that youth has preyed upon his mind.
One can never tell.
The gentleman in the Newmarket
coat was listening eagerly. you don't
'appen to know the name or age of that
son, do you?" he asked. II ave reason
for askin; I'm not sure that I don't
know something about im."
"Really?" Mr.. Taggett smiled delight
edly. "This is very wonderful! I can-
not say what the age of the son might
have been; but have a feeling he prob.
ably ran away to sea. or something Of
the kind, in boyhood's hour, and never
returned. You will find that is what
usually happens. On the stage and in
books he returns, after a space of
years, and catches his aged father to
his breast
II wish knew something more about
'im," went on the other, speaking as if
to himself.
"And-now come to think of it, he
informed me, in a burst of confidence.
that he had not seen his son since early
childhood; I believe he said that he
had separated from the mother, and
had returned to find the boy gone"
The youth emptied his glass of spirits
at gulp and put on his hat firmly.
I'm glad 'ad this ere talk with you"
he sale. I'm a-goin' back to the 'ouse
with you now. I am that son!"
Anthony Taggett stared at him In
amazement, and yet with a growing de-
light; already he saw himself in the
very center Of The floor, introducing
this wandering son TO the father who
had hungered 81 lopg for him, and
striking an attitude expressive Of as
many emotions as possible, while they
embraced. In his excitement he quite
forgot to finish his liquor; instead, he
literally dragged him from the place.
"Come!" ne said; "rhere is not mo-
n.ent to be lost! Think. my young
friend, think how this old man. fast
tottering toward the confines of the
tomb. has hungered and yearned for
his lost offspring! Do not keep him
waiting moment longer than can be
avoided! Comet"
They hurried out together, and almost
ran around the corner to the gate in
the wall of Rickerby's Folly. The i'm
perious ringing of Mr.. Taggett at the
bell brought out Cornelius Viewers, APP
parently in no pleasant humor; he