what must have been a
rather sumptuous cold repast. To all appearance he had foregone
none of his ancient customs; only those customs had taken on elegance
with his rise in fortune. The carriage and the horses, and most of
all, the imperturbable driver, seemed to awaken some awe in the boys.
They were still in evidence, but they hung back sheepishly and eyed
the basket of neglected food as if they hoped he would forget to take
it away. Meanwhile the clattering of chains against the harness, the
pawing of the horses and the low exclamations of the driver caused me
the queerest feelings. Advancing quite unceremoniously upon the
watcher by the grave, I remarked aloud;

"The setting sun will soon release you, Mr. Moore. Are you going
immediately into town?"

He paused in his rubbing, which was being done with a very tender
hand, and as if he really loved the name he was endeavoring to bring
into plainer view. Scowling a little, he turned and met me
point-blank with a look which had a good deal of inquiry in it.

"I am not usually interrupted here," he emphasized; "except by the
boys," he added more mildly. "They sometimes approach too closely,
but I am used to the imps and scarcely notice them. Ah! there are
some of my old friends now! Well, it is time they knew that a
change has taken place in my fortunes. Hi, there! Hands up and
catch this, and this, and this!" he shouted. "But keep quiet about
it or next year you will get pennies again."

And flinging quarters right and left, he smiled in such a pompous,
self-satisfied way at the hurrah and scramble which ensued, that it
was well worth my journey there just to see this exhibition of
combined vanity and good humor.

"Now go!" he vociferated; and the urchins, black and white, flew
away, flinging up their heels in delight and shouting: "Bully for you,
Uncle David! We'll come again next year, not for twenty-fives but
fifties."

"I will make it dollars if I only live so long," he muttered. And
deigning now to remember the question I had put to him, he grandly
remarked:

"I am going straight into town. Can I do anything for you?"

"Nothing. I thought you might like to know what awaits you there.
The city is greatly stirred up. The coroner's jury in the
Jeffrey-Moore case has just brought in a verdict to the effect that
suicide has not been proved. Naturally, this is equivalent to one
of murder."

"Ah!" he ejaculated, slightly taken aback for one