Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-04-02
THE
OTHER
ONE
BY A. H. GIBSON


ing, though 1t happened over thirty
Il years ago.
l was then a young man, occu-
plying a position of trust in the bank
ing firm of billiard & Hatch One day
was sent to carry eight thousand
dollars in gold to Caleb Parton, very
eccentric man living in an isolated
house In wild, billy section.
Parton was the banks heaviest de-
positor, and his wealth was said to
aggregate a half million The day be-
fore, his servant, large negro, had
appeared at the bank with message
requesting billiard to send him eight
thousand dollars in gold. He arranged
that I was to be the one to carry the
amount to him, and further suggested
that I should make the trip in a
wagon, so that l could take back a
cask Of rare old wine, which he begged
to be permitted to present to the firm.
1t was hard journey over rough,
stony roads. which were seldom trav-
eled, except by the plodding mountain
folk of that region; and not until two
hours after sunset did I reach the
queer stone dwelling where Caleb
Parton lived hermit-like existence,
shut away from all the world.
Although I knocked loudly at the
door, It was fully ten minutes before
heard any SOUND within. Then. half
cautiously, the thick oaken door
opened, and dark-faced. wiry man,
somewhere between fifty and sixty,
looked out at me.
"who are your he demanded.
Hope, Of the firm IL billiard 4
Hatch" returned.
"Ahl It's you, come at last, is it?"
he said, holding the lighted candle so
as to get better view Of my face.
well, come in, Mr.. Hope"
Motioning me to a chair, my strange
host took the sacks Of gold, which |
carried in stout bag, and threw them
against the safe. The clang Of the
falling coins sounded dismally through
the silent apartment.
what a curse love and gold can
be to man"
He spoke bitterly. had never met
Caleb Parton before, and as he ut
tered these words l looked at him
carefully. His face was Of dark
olive tint, while his deep-set eyes were
small and intensely black
He became conscious Of my scrutiny,
frowned a little, then turned toward
the door.
III you'll excuse me, Mr.. Hope" he
said, ''I1l bring you up some refresh
ments. You must be tired and hungry
after your long ride"
In a short time he returned, bring
ing a tray on which was a choice re-
past, with bowl of strong coffee.
you see I'm my own servant Mr..
Hope" he said, putting the tray on
the table. my man, Joe, is Off to a
camp meeting and won't be back be
fore daylight"
AS I ate the lunch which Caleb Par
ton had brought me, he emptIed the
gold from the sacks upon the floor
and counted 1t over carefully.
Correct" ! heard him chuckle to
himself, as he flung the reflled sacks
into the safe.
After l had finished my lunch, Par
ton exhibited two fine pipes and in
vited me to join him In a smoke.
Excuse my oversight There's not
drop of wine left in this decanter,"
he said, after examining 1t.
mo matter" I returned. 81 never
drink wine"
"Tut, tut, man you miss half your
life. Now, have Wy choice col
lection OF wines. Come, I'll give you
peep at my vaults"
He arose as he spoke and took up
candle / had no interest whatever
In wines, but l accompanied him.
Descending to the lower hallway,
we passed through long, dreary
room, then down narrow stone steps
into a capacious cellar, walled on
every side with heavy masonry.
mo, it's never been meddled with"
he remarked with chuckle. "Ten
years Is a very long time for a man to
Hive on wlne-but he was very fond
of wlne---very-ha ha -
looked at Parton In amazement,
much puzzled as to the import Of his
strange words and manner.
He turned to me with quick ges-
ture.
"a thousand pardons"" he said.
"You think my actions strange. But
shall L?-" wild flash in his eyes.
Eyes, Mr.. Hope, you shall have the
story. must tell 1t to some one. It's
too good to keep. Ha, hat"
"Take seat" he continued, push
ing cask towards me, upon which |
dropped, not certain that was not in
the presence of mailman.
Taking up a bottle, he brushed the
cobwebs from II, then, breaking Off
the neck, passed It to me, saying:
take pull. It's damp In this eel
lar, and this will take the chill out OF
your blood This is an excellent wine
1T was favorite brand with JudsOn
Pickford Yes. sir; and JudsOn was
competent Judge. Ha, hal
His laugh made me SILVER. 1t sound
ed like the exultatlon Of a fiend. But
declined the wine, and Parton him
self drained the bottle.
you've never heard Of Judson
Pickford?" he asked.
mo-
"Judson Pickford was a strange,
dark man. met him first in society
In Baltimore. And, strange to say,
many declared TINT there was strong
resemblance between Pickford and