The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-10

master was berry sick-yas, sab, him
berry sick. Dat gor bug done bit him.
When him first pick up de bug the bug
bit him, and he let go. Then old Jup
he take piece paper and stuff part in
bugs mouf SO he no bite, and pick him
up dat away. But Massa Will he sure
bad bit. He go out all time and circum-
lucate bout the country and try to get
rid of old Jup. But old Jup he foller
him. De odder day he give me the slip
and I couldn't just find him nowhere.
L cut big stick, 1 does, and reckon
dat when he come home I glib him one
good beating. But he come back look
in SO broke up and pale like dat | Just
natcherally didn't hab the heart to do
it. But / warns him. Dat gol' bug he
daid, of course, but Massa Will he keep
him just same after Lieutenant give
him back" The friend was much dis
turbed at Jupiter's account of Legrand,
and had little doubt that a mind which
had before shown peculiarities had at
length given way.
After Jupiter had told his story at
length he handed the gentleman a let
ter from Legrand, in which the possess
sor of the gold bug begged that his
friend would come and visit him with
out delay. Legrand's friend found him
so much changed that he considered
his worst fears realized. He grasped
the visitors hand in a sudden, nervous
manner his countenance was pale, even
to ghastliness and his deep sunk eyes
glared with unnatural lustre. do you
know" he said, Jupiter was quite right
about that gold bug" How so?"
"Why, 1t was bug of real gold.'' The
visitor felt inexpressibly sh ocked, and
Legrand went on with a triumphant
smile. 1T is to make my fortune-to
Is it any wonder that 1 prize it? You
must go with me tonight and help me.
You shall see. Jupiter bring me the
scara baeus." "Id ruther no go for to
trubble dat bug-you must git him 70
yourself" replied the darby. Legrand
arose in dignified manner and brought
out the bug. 1t was a beetle of ordi-
nary size, of a bright golden hue and
had two black spots near one extremity
other. The scales We're exceedingly
hard and glossy. The weight of the in
sect was remarkable, and Jupiter could
hardly have been blamed for thinking
it of real gold. But what to make Of
Legrand's accordance with that opinion
was the mystery-unless, as his friend
feared, his mind was entirely wrecked.
Il have sent for YOU" began Legrand
in Grandiloquent tones, 'in order that l
might have your counsel and assistance
in furthering the views of Fate and the
Bug" My dear Legrand," replied his
friend you are i'll. You must go to bed
aud | will stay with you until you are
bettar" he was sure the man was crazy
mo, l am not ill.," replied Legrand, 81
am e we'll as | can be- considering the
excitement | am laboring under. II you
really wish TO help me you must come
with Jupiter and myself tonight on an ex-
petition to the mainland. We shall need
the help of some one in whom we can
confide." HAS this expedition anything to
do with that Internal little beetle?" TT.
has Then l shall not be party to any
such absurd proceedings" We'll, we shall
then have to try it ourselves
AT first the visitor thought of using
force upon Legrand to prevent him going
out; but not being sure that Jupiter would
assist him. he thought better of it and
though perfectly sure that the man was
mad, reluctantly consented to make one
o. the Gold Bug party. They started
about O'Clock in the afternoon-Legrand
the friend, Jupiter and the dog Jupiter
carried scythe and three spades and the
Charleston man couple of lanterns
while Legrand contented himself with the
Gold Bug, which he had attached to. a
piece of whipcord and which he swung
and twirled about in the manner of a
conjurer as they advanced.
The sun was setting as they crossed the