The Human Vampire; Or, The Elixir of Life — page 29: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Vol, 1. _ No 31. ee LOG CABIN LIBRARY 29 ‘olare to you, white folks, I mos’ die on de spot.” ‘‘What did the boy show you?” ‘Tt was de bones ob a little han!” “ What?” ‘‘Wack, massa! I say to Laf: *** Wor de sake ob de Lawd, where you get dat?’ **Den dat boy took me down in de cellar an’ tole me he uster lar de ole massa diggin’ on moonlight nights—you know dat boy nebber could sleep moonlight nights; and Laf he “lowed dat massa was buryin’ he gold. So Laf he done wait till ole massa an’ dat candy-ha’ rman go Norf; den dat boy Laf he go down inter dat cellar an’ dig. What’ d dat boy dig up but dat little han’; and if dat han’ don’ b’long to one ob: de little *dopted ohillun, who it b'long to? Dat’s whut I like to know.” ‘‘You ave sure it was n human hand?" “Sure, ob co’se I’se sure. Don’ ve spose I'se seen plenty ob han’s dat de plow tun up in de cotton patch since de wah?” **Oh, on old battle gronnds.”” “Yes, on ole battle groun’ since de wah. Well, dat little han’ was complete. Twas dat struck when de boy done show me wat he foun’ it, dat I mos’ fell on de groun’.” ‘* Where is it now?” *“Why, I made dat boy Laf put it right back whar he got it. Down in dat cellar; but I’se mos’ ’fraid dat’s whar all dem *dopted chillun is, ’stead ob been sent Norf.” "No doubt you are right, auntie. Have you mentioned this to any one?” “No, massa; I'so “fraid to sleep in de jlouse ‘count of dem little ghosteses—dem pore little ’dopted spurits. So de ole man in’ me we jes bunk down to de same ole place we uster sleep in while ole massa was here.” "Very wiso of you, auntic. Now toll mc who the people aro that the little adopted children belonged to. Ill see if I can't catch this candy-haired man, for I suspect he has killed your old master as well as the children.” *‘ Pore de Lawd, I dun b’liebe you is plum right, massa!” “‘T fear so. Now, Carmel, tell me who are the parents of these four children.” ‘¢ Well, massa, de fust one was ole Hick’ry Jim; he hab dat feat chillun dat de pore old eritter mos’ go crazy when he wife (lie “ Hickory Jim—where shall I find him?” '' Jas ‘fore you come to de bridge at de tu'n ob de road goin’ inter Savannah.” “ Who next?” “ Hiek’ry he fader ob de twins ole massa ’dopted; dey was 2 boy an’ a gal—de boy name ‘Lonzo, de gal she name "Tilda. Parson he pick ont de names,” ‘“Well, where did the other ones come from?” “De udder chillun dis yer way: De boy he ‘long to Yaller OClowtil—she uster ‘long to ole Mars Henderson, fore de war; de hoy he ‘long to dat gal "Melia, what's laundress to de Piv’lion House.” Tatnall made rapid notes of these names. ‘Now, auntie, you must keep a quiet tongue in your head,” ns said. If not, you will prevent me from accomplishing any- thing.” “ Bless your heart! I ain’t goin’ to say a word. Icnows for all, I’se scared to open my mouth,” “That's right. Good-day. Here is something to buy tea with. Come on, Sid.” He passed his hand through Van Stretten’s arm, and left Car- mel gazing at the gold piece he had slipped into her hand. ‘“Now,” he said, emphatically, ‘I have Mr. Vivian where I want him.” De Lawd CHAPTER XXIY. A ODEW AP LAST, Mr, Decker arrived in Chicago the day after Delia had ar- ranged his library. He looked wretchedly ill, and had aged very perceptibly since the last time Mr. Hammond had seen him, That gentleman received him, and startedin amazement when lie beheld his son-in-law. ee good heavens, Decker, you look as old as I do!” he said. “T dare say,” rejoined Mr. Decker, carelessly, ‘‘I feel sev- 1 thousand years old. About the same age as Ptolemy the 7 ae yw “lr, Hammond looked very grave; he did not like this flip- ancy at such a fame. ‘* How is Clara?” inquired Mr. Decker. js much calmer now, like yourself, since her —_— | we he pull somet'in’ out ob he pocket an’ » show me, an’ I| ‘I fear not. The doctors expressly forbid any excitement. I am sorry.” “Tt does not matter,” said Mr. Decker. His father-in-law stared at him with stern disapproval. He did not understand how thoroughly reckless the wretched man had become. “Well, I must go out. Hammond said, shortly. “‘T shall go to Police Headquarters. I spend most ofmy time now in them. I hastened here because some astute detective has discovered, by accident I presume, that the woman whom they now say stole the children came here.’ “Indeed! Do you think you can rely on this information?” ‘“No, I gness not. You cannot rely on anything thev say. The only clew that amounts to anything was the one Gregory furnished.” ‘Where is Gregory?” “ He is playing amateur detective.” Decker did not wish Mr. Hammond to know that Gregory had left his service. He was moving heaven and earth to find the man and induce him to return. He walked slowly into his library and shutthe door. He-then drew aside the curtain which protected the picture of his chil- dren, and stood with his eyes fixed on the innocent faces of his twin daughters. **Gone!”’ he exclaimed, in accents of despnir. ‘* How ingo- nious is my punishment! The only time in my life that I have tried to do right, the first pure love that has stirred my heart lias been turned into the cruelist anguish s man could suitor! ‘Let a man tnrn from his wickedness,’ snys the prayer-book, No, let him live consistently, Isay. If he turns from his wick- edness his old sins will spring up on every side to drag him down, eager as blood-honnds on his trail. I turned from my wickedness. J loved those pure little darlings!” He cast himself upon the floor and moaned aloud in uucon- trollable enguish. An hour later he left the house. He had traveled all night, but he did not wait to rest. He had eaten nothing since noon of the day before, but he did not wait for breakfast or luncheon, “«That poor man will die!’ Miss James said, compassiouately, as she saw him rush from the house. “Shure is that the master?” asked Delia, who was busy over her morning dusting. ‘Sen? ““T thought somebody said he was a young man.” “He is, but he looks so ill, so unhappy.” ‘Faith he looks as ould as Mr. Hammond himself,” “He is terribly changed. He was the handsomest man I ever saw when he was married to Miss Hammond four years ago.”’ ‘*Well, he ain’t yery handsome now; he is pale and doubled up, and all that’s young sbout him is the yellow hair.” ** Poor man, he is greatly to be pitied. Come, Delin, let us dust the library now, while Mr. Decker is out. He spends a great deal of his time there, and must not be disturbed. Never go into that room while he is in the house.” ‘No, ma'am. Shure, the family is queer. laid me eyes on, and the gentleman looks distracted. ails them at all, at all?” “(Ts it possible that you don’t know?" cried Miss James, in astonishment. “No, ma'am. being in trouble, but they don’t wear mournin’. “Then you did not hear that their little children were stolen out of their beds while the family was at Newport?” ‘*No; shure, I did hear the butler say something zbout Mr. Decker’s danglters being abducted, but I didn’t know what he meant, and shure ’'m a modest gurl, an’ I didn’t loike to ask,” “Well, the babies—they are twins, and they are only two years old— they were stolen out of their nursery.’ “Saints preserve us!” This ejaculation was forced from Deslia’s lips by the sight of ne painting, which Mr. Decker had left uncovered. 16 moment Delia followed the housekeoper into the room ae caught sight of it, and just as soon-as she did so she recog- nized the children. “ Why, Delia, what is the matter?” asked Miss James, for the girl was standing staring at the picture with her mouth wide open. ae Who is thim?” she gasped. ‘That is a portrait of the stolen children.” © What?” ‘*That is a picture of the twins which were stolen from ihe house at Newport.” ‘Do ye mane it?” What are you going to do?” Mr. The lady I never What Mrs. Styles, she said something about them ™ | ieee” Sat do _ comicbooks. cor