Year: 1878

| or Hanley, VINO was an Ouulty In us


way. Some said he was crazy, while


others declared that only an inordi-


nate love Of fun gave rise to his quaint


doings. He might be called practi.
cal joker, and it was said that he


never allowed a stranger to come OF
go without playing upon him one OF
more of his ridiculous tricks.


Ono chilly, drizzly autumnal eve-
ming horseman pulled up at the
majors door, and requested hospital
ity for the night. He had wandered
from his way, and it was now too late
to rectify his mistake.


He was warmly welcomed, and when
hishorse had been taken i'm charge by
a competent servant. and his saddle
bags removed, he was ushered into
the great living room, where cheer
full fire blazed in the enormous fire.
place. and where candles were lighted.


The major was a large, strongly
built man, OF middle age, bald headed
and rather red in the face. with an
eye deep-set and twinkling.


The guest was also of middle-age,
tall and spare. but compact and mus
cular, with features Of a decided leo
nine cast, strongly marked, heavy
brows, and shock OF thick, crisp hair,
that stood up on his large head like
the name OF lien.


Supper was announced, and after
that the evening passed on pleasantly.
As the clock struck nine, the host
arose and excused himself for few
minutes. When he returned he was
accompanied by negro who carried
a fiddle and bow, and the major
himself had a large horse pistol in his
hand.


MY dear friend" said the host, with
a bow and smile, I'VE must not let the
evening pass without little amuse-
ment. From your looks know you
can dance. I have one OF the best
fiddlers in the world; he learned to
play in New Orleans, where music and
dancing are cultivated, So, sir. you
will take your place upon the floor,
and dance us a rec, l,-you look like a
Scotchman. Come,-make no delay.
Strike up, Pomp."


The guest protested that he could
not dance. He had not done such
thing since his boyhood. But Major
Hanley would not take no for an an
swer. He did not make many words.
He cooked the pistol, and swore he
would shoot the guest IL he did not
dance. The negro had begun to
tremble. and once or twice he seemed
on the point Of crying out, but fear OF
his master with held him.


The guest seemed % consider the
matter. He looked at the major and
at the pistol. The man might be really
insane, though IL he was, there was
much method in it,. However he was
there alone-none to behold his dis
comfiture and mayhap he thought,
the tables might be turned.


@Come-come! Dance, orI fire."


The guest arose, and stood in tho
middle OF the room. and there began
to dance to the negro's Llusic; but
the music was wretched-so wretched
that the major more than once threat
ened to shoot the negro II he did not
play better.


The poor wayfarer danced until he
was fairly tired, and then stopped.
The host was upon the point OF urg-
ing him on, when a horses tramp was
heard at the landing. and presently a
servant put his head into the room
and called the master out. Whether
he forgot .what he was doing, OF
whether he cared not to be seen out
side with the pistol. we cannot say.
but he left 1t on the table when he
went out. As soon as the door was
closed the guest went to the table,
anil took the pistol in his hand. As
hs had half suspected, it was not
loaded; 1t was as innocent as horse
shoe. But the traveller had his pistol
ammunition In his pocket, and he
quickly loaded the weapon with pow
der and ball, calling upon the darkey
to witness.


Shortly the major returned, and his
first movement was to look for his
pistol, which he found missing.


MY dear sir" said the guest, with
low bow, and one OF the blandest OF
smiles-a smile, however, quickly fol-
lowed by look that might have
mado a hero quail, Il found your
pistol sadly deficient; but have rec.
tilted all that. You see have my
powder flask and ball-pouoh. The
pistol is loaded, sir. secitndum arten.
We will continue the amusement by
a dance executed by the master OF the
house; and let me assure you that
can use pistol much better than /
can dance reel. Dance, sir, or by the
Eternal, I'll put bullet through your
legs, IL not through your headl"


The major was startled. There was
something in the mans words that
almost lifted him from his feet, and
took away his breath; and In the look
was command he could no more
have disobeyed than he could have
hushed the throbbings OF his own
heart.


He danced. The negro played now