The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-03-30
~ 4. M. EcBERT.

Imaginary enemy. Clearly drink naa
affected BussapaS mind. ,s,5s,s.s
"What Is IT? What do you see?"
asked DeWGhund, bic knees shaking as
bis superstitiods fears oyercame him.
Hold your tongue" shouted Bus
sapa, apparently regainihg his selt-con-
troll. "You toid me that you would
bring suit against me within three
days. Well. j have brought you your
money. Give me your account"
Dewchund produced his ledger and
Of once began adding up the total
amount OF Bussapa's indebtedness, to-
gether with the Interest due. Bus
sapa, apparently calmer, sat beside him
and looked on. When the amount had
been figured gdssapa began TO wrsn-
gIe for a reduction, in the customary
manner, SO that the money-lender be.
came convinced th2t his visitor had.
| In some unknown manner, obtained
The money and wac prepared to pay
him. Dewchund, after much bargain
Ing, agreed to knock of a lump sum
on condition Of immediate settlement,
I and Bussapa, still g:umbling, at length
Rgreed to his terms.
"Now bring out the mortgage deed
and the other .bonGs," said the NAH
Iratta, land indotse them as dis
charged. Then you will write. me ont
areceipt in full ,spt all the money
aue." s.g,ir.s5,,;H ~ h. ~. nj go
propositiopp TRsyi me- my money.
hrt," he said, thinking that Bussapa
carried the amount with him in, the
form Of notes. 49, ~ mi.
Bussapa became highly incensed.
rDon't you believed have the money!"
be shouted. I'm not lying. have
drought the full amount with me, but
not in money l]put the bag In your
stable. Come and see it,
Dewchund was greatly alarmed at
these words, thinking that his visitor
meant to lure him out Of the house and
Murder him. But he was physically a
match for the Mahratta, weakened as
the latter was by dissipation and, his
cupidity conquerlng his fears, he rose
and followed bis visitor. Having
stopped to light a lantern, he hurried
In the wake Of the Mahratta into a
shed, In one corner OF which was a
\ quantity Of dried fuel that had evident
l4y been disturbed. Bussapa took the
lantern from the money-lender and led
the way into the furthest corner,
where he set It down: then, turning
suddenly. he caught Dewchund by the
throat with one hand so that he could
not cry out, and forced him down upon
the ground. Then he said, kissing into
his ear:
"You devil, I have paid you with my
sons life. I've killed little BLOW and
hidden his body among the fuel. If
you don't agree to what say I'll raise
the alarm at once and accuse you of
lhaving murdered him for the sake OF
Till ornaments and silver bangles.
Quick! Make your decision! Cancel
the debt! If you consent, raise your
right arm, and then come back with
me to your shop"
stupefied with fear, Dewchund
raised his arm obediently, and Bussa-
pa, still holding him firmly, half led
and half dragged him back into the
house where, after again threatening
him In case he should call out Bus
sapa released him.
"Now you are paid" he said In low
voice. "Give me the papers and a re-
ceipt In full at once"
Dewchund, in whom the first shock
Of horror had abated, now said:
What is going to be done With the
bodyY" (" f"N ~ '''
1--WE viii take It away presently and
bury it Id the intercourse" answered
the Mahratta. N":t" 50. T. i,''' ".
Dewchund; trembling with fear, duly
Endorsed the papers and handed them
TO Bussapa, at the same time writing
out full receipt for all Indebtedness.
Then he took a light and followed
Bussapa to the shed.
Bussapa took the little body from
among the fuel, wrapped 1t In his
blanket and ordered Dewchund to lead
the way to a dry watercourse a few
yards distant and to bring spade
with him. There Bussapa dug deep
hole in the loose gravel and buried the
victim, heaping large stones upon the
body. Toward daylight, after making
considerable detour, they returned
10 the confines Of the village, where
they separated, Bussapa assuring Dew
Chund that he need have no fear.
There are some wandering Kalkar-
rIs encamped near the village" he said
to the money.lender. Tomorrow I
shall accuse them OF having lured my
son away and murdered him."
The Kalkarris are one Of the preda-
tory tribes, something like gypsies,
who, ostensibly carrying on the trade
Of basket weaving. do not hesitate to
rob- or even murder, when opportunity
affords. In this instance the silver
ahklets Of little blow would have fur
nished a satisfactory motive.
Perhaps the deyllish plot might have
succeeded had Bussapa remained sober.
But his brain was in no condition to
bear the weight of this conspiracy.