Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-02-07

and leaned over at the top; 1t was no
toriously unsafe; it was infested with
rats and black beetles: half its win
dows were broken and were patched
with paper and stuffed with rags.
1t possessed yard. four feet by six
horror to behold; it afforded shell
ter to at least forty persons, and 1t be-
longed to a person Of high moral at
tainments, who entertained lofty views
concerning what he chose to call 1.-The
social regeneration Of the lower
classes" a darling theme which he
aired in the papers whenever he could
get the opportunity.
In an apartment in the cellars OF
this house lived Little Make Believe
and Surname.
There were two apartments in the
cellar, that next to Little Make.Be'
lieve's being occupied by cobbler.
This gentleman it was. who popping
his head out of his door at the sound
of footsteps on the rickety stairs. as
tonished Thomas Dexter by seizing
him suddenly by the collar Of his coat
and pulling him into the room.
Thomas Dexter was about to remon'
strate energetically against this yio-
lence, when the cobbler clapped his
hand upon the curiosity dealers mouth.
"Hush" he said, i'll sepulchrai tone.
"Don't raise yer voice. Speak in n
whisper. Well, if this ere amt n
game! Why. everybody believed yer
dead, and dead yer ought to be out O
respect to public opinion. The little
cusses! Don't yer ear emp
BY motion of his hand he directed
Thomas Dexter's attention to the wall
which separated his apartment from
Little Believes. and Thomas
Dexter, placing his ear to it. in imita.
tion of the action of the cobbler. heard
sound of children's voices. one OF
which, more distinct than the others.
was reciting a parody on the burial
service for the dead.
The significance OF the words,
strange and extravagant as they were:
the dismal appearance of the miserable"
apartment which was lit by one thin
tallow candle; the unearthly feeling
which stole upon him, We're appalling.
"Are they burying anybody" he
asked, in a whisper.
That's Jest what the little -cusses
are a-doin on. They're a-buryin OF
you"
"Of me-
keep still Yer shall see for yer.
self; but the warmints mustn't know
that anybody's lookin' at EN-. Lord.
Lord, Lord! The games I've seen 'em
at night arter night. It's as good as
play. Don't move
Splitting on the forefinger and thumb
of his right hand, the cobbler seized
with these forceps the snuff of the can
die and extingushed the light.
Being now in the dark, and safe
from observation, he removed two
very small wooden pegs from two very
small holes in the wall through each
of which, by placing the eye very close
to it. view Of the proceedings in the
adjoining apartment could be obtained.
Little Make-Believe's room was IL
Illuminated by three ends of candles.
which the cobbler, in sepulchrai
whisper. informed Thomas Dexter
were generally contributed by one and
another of the "little cusses' when any
game was on.
There was quite dozen children as
sembled there, standing around an I'M
aglnary grave, into which the imag'
mary body of Thomas Dexter had just
been lowered, and only the concluding
words of the service reached Thomas
DeXters ears.
1t was Dot-and-carry one who oftic-
lated as minister, and he it was who.
in n mock solemn voice, In which
lurked a frightful malice, exclaimed;
'Ashes to ashes-dust to dust,
If Gawd don't take him. the devil must''
Thomas Dexter shivered. The phaI-
tom of the figure in his dream rose be-
fore him with it's icy heart, upon which
was inscribed "Old Dexter's Charity
Then the children pretended to shov
rl the earth over him, and this being
done to 4 chorus of uncomplimentary
illusions to himself, Thomas Dexter
took observation of certain matters
which. up to this time, had escaped his
notice.
The first was the form Of an exceed
ingly beautiful child, who, lying on the
ground with her chin resting in the
palms of her hands, had played qui-
escent part in the ceremony.
Her face was like rose. her eyes
as blue as the loveliest cloud, her limbs
might have been nodded in wax. so
perfect were they, and her fair hair
hung round her beautiful head and
.ested on her white shoulders. one OF
which was bare.
SIS 1t real, or a picter"
Thomas Dexter believed that these
words had simply found expression in
his mind, but he had really spoken
hem under his breath. The cobbler
him.
"That is Saranne, Little Make-Be.
ieves sister She'll grow up beau.
y-if she grows up at ALL"
"Why shouldn't she grow up?" asked
Thomas Dexter.
Because" said the cobbler, ''she's
,ot abou. as much strength as I've got
n my little finger. It's to be hoped.
or Little Make Believes sake, as moth.
ng II 'appen to her. It'd break the
title 'un's cart.