Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-09-30
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THE GOLD-BUG
Bv EDGAR ALLAN POE

|
himself at small table, on which were
a pen and ink, but no paper. He look
ed for some in a drawer, but found
none.
Never mind" said he at length,
this will answer" and he drew from
his waistcoat pocket a scrap of what
took to be a very dirty foolscap, and
made upon it a rough drawing with the
pen. While he did this, retained my
seat by the fire, for I was still chilly.
When the design was complete, he
handed it to me without rising. AS
received it, a loud growl was heard,
succeeded by a scratching at the door.
Jupiter opened it, and a large New
foundland, belonging to Legrand, rush
ed in, leaped upon my shoulders, and
| loaded me with caresses; for l had
shown him much attention during pre-
vious visits. When his gambols were
over, I looked at the paper. and, to
speak the truth, found myself not lit
tie puzzled at what my friend had de-
bicted.
Well" l said, after contemplating
il for some minutes, this is strange
scarabaeus. I must confess; new to
me: never saw anything like it before.
unless it was a skull, or DEATHS
head,-which it more nearly resembles
than anything else that has come un-
der my observation"
"A deaths head" echoed Legrand-
"Oh-yes-well, it has something OF
that appearance upon paper, no doubt.
The two upper black spots look like
eyes, eh? and the longer one at the
bottom like a mouth,-and then the
shape Of the whole is oval"
Perhaps So" said 1; but, Legrand,
fear you are no artist. l must wait
until l see the beetle itself, if l am to
form any idea of it's personal appear
ance"
We'll, don't know" said he, little
nettled. Il draw tolerably,-should do
it at least,-have had good masters,
and natter myself that 1 am not quite
blockhead."
But, my dear fellow, you are joking.
then" said 1: this is very passable
skull,-indeed, l may say that it is a
very excellent skull, according to the
vulgar notions about such specimens
of physiology,-and your scarabaeus
must be the queerest scarabaeus in the
world if it resembles it. Why, we may
get up a very thrilling bit of supersti-
ton upon this hint. l presume You
will call the bug scarabaeus caput no.
minis, or something of that kind
there are many similar titles in the
Natural Histories. But where are the
antennae you spoke off"
THE antennae!" said Legrand, who
seemed to be getting unaccountably
warm upon the subject; Il am sure you
must see the antennae. l made them
as distinct as they are in the original
insect, and l presume that is suffi-
cient."
We'll. WELL" l said, perhaps you
haVe,-still l don't see Them" and l
handed him the paper without addi-
tional remark, not wishing to ruff1e his
temper But l was much surprised at
the turn affairs had taken; his ill-hu-
NOR puzzled me; and, as for the draw
ing of the beetle, there were positively
no antennae visible, and the whole did
bear very close resemblance to the
ordinary cuts of a deaths head.
He received the paper very peevsh-
", and was about to crumple il, ap-
parently to throw it in the fire, when
L casual glance at the design seemed
suddenly to rivet his attention. In an
instant his face grew violently red,-
in another as excessively pale. For
some minutes, he continued to scrutin-
ize the drawing minutely where he
| sat. At length he arose, took candle
from the table, and proceeded To seat
| himself upon a sea-chest in the far
thest corner of the room. Here again
he made an anxious examination of the
paper turning it in all directions. He
said nothing. however, and his conduct
greatly astonished me; yet | thought
| il prudent not to eXacerbate the grow
| ing mOodiness of his temper by any
| comment. Presently he took from his
coat pocket a wallet, placed the paper
| carefully i'm it, and deposited both in a
| writing desk. which he locked. He now
grew more composed in MS demeanor;
| 5ut his original air of enthusiasm had
quite disappeared. Yet he seemed not
so much sulky as distracted. AS the
| evening wore away he became more
and more absorbed in revery, from
| which no sallies of mine could arouse
| him. 1t had been my intention to pass
| the night at the hut. as had frequent
| " done before, but seeing my host in
this mood. | deemed it proper to take
| leave. He did not press me 10 remain
| but, as | departed, he shook my hand
with even more than his usual cor
diality.
| 1t was about a month after this (and
during the interval | had seen nothing
| of Legrand) when received a visit. al
Charleston. from his man. Jupiter.
had never seen the good old negro look
so dispiritcd, and I feared that some
serious disaster had hefallen my
friend.
We'll. Jup," said I, what is the
matter now?-how is your MASTER"
| why. to speak de troOf, massa, hin
not so berry we'll as mought be"
Not we'll. am truly sorry to heal
it. What does he complain of"
Oar! dat's it!-him neher plain oi
nOtin.-but him berry sick for all dat
Very sick, Jupiter!-why didn't yor
say So at once? Is he confined Il
bed?"
No, dat he am't.-he amt find no
whar.-dat's just whar he shoe pinch
my mind is got To he berry hebhN
bout poor Massa WILL"
Jupiter, | should like to understand
what it is YOU are talking about. Tol
say your master is sick. Hasn't h,
told YOU what ails him."
| WHY maSSa, I amt WORT while fol