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Article THE WRECKER. ← Page 7 of 10 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Wrecker.
" Why ? " inquired he sternly . ¦ . " Why , from your looks , Norris . " "Curse thee ! " muttered the Wrecker ; " what business hast thou to mind my looks ? Why is the table uncovered ? " he added fiercely : " the devil spread it for thee ! Hast thou not victuals in the house ? Hast thou not fuel ? Hast thou not hands ? And why is not my
supper ready ? Bestir thee , I say ! I have business to do in the next room ; on thy life , let me not be disturbed . Give me the key of the great trunk . " " Don ' t wake the child . Norris , " entreatingly enjoined his wife , giving him the key ; " he has only just this moment gone to sleep . " "Curse the child ! " muttered the Wrecker . "Thou thinkest of
nothing but the child ! " He went into the room , shut the cloor after him , and bolted it . He now leisurely examined his share of the plunder . The jewels were of the most costly description—The Wrecker was not ignorant of the nature or value of such things . There was an entire set : necklace , ear-rings , bracelets , —all brilliants . He emptied the purse of its
contents and counted them ; there was enough to make him a wealthy man for many a day . There were several packets into which he had not looked . He opened them one after another—All contained riches ! He placed the things on the floor , applied the key , and hastened to deposit his treasure in the bottom of the trunk .
He was proceeding carefully with his pleasant occupation , when he thought he heard the shuffling of several feet in the outer apartment ; he stopped and listened . " Norris ! " whispered his wife at the door . The Wrecker did not reply , but went on , for now all was silent . " Norris ! " she repeated , " you are wanted . '
" Let them wait ! " vociferated the Wrecker ; " I would not come for my father , " added he , muttering to himself . At length the last article was disposed of ; he locked the trunk , ancl unbolting the door , opened it . " Well ! is my supper laid ? " he morosel y demanded , entering the outer apartment , and looking towards the table—A corpse lay stretched upon it . At the foot was a group of his nei ghbours with uncovered heads—the Wrecker stood stock still .
"What is tliis ? at length he inquired , with a hold voice , striving to conceal a cowering heart . " These must be the clothes , " exclaimed one of the group , stepping from the rest and lifting the bundle wMch Norris had brought in . " What clothes—whose clothes ? " fiercel y demanded tho Wrecker . "Why , your father ' s , " replied the other . " My father ' s ?" " Yes ; there he lies upon the table . It is your own father ' s body .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Wrecker.
" Why ? " inquired he sternly . ¦ . " Why , from your looks , Norris . " "Curse thee ! " muttered the Wrecker ; " what business hast thou to mind my looks ? Why is the table uncovered ? " he added fiercely : " the devil spread it for thee ! Hast thou not victuals in the house ? Hast thou not fuel ? Hast thou not hands ? And why is not my
supper ready ? Bestir thee , I say ! I have business to do in the next room ; on thy life , let me not be disturbed . Give me the key of the great trunk . " " Don ' t wake the child . Norris , " entreatingly enjoined his wife , giving him the key ; " he has only just this moment gone to sleep . " "Curse the child ! " muttered the Wrecker . "Thou thinkest of
nothing but the child ! " He went into the room , shut the cloor after him , and bolted it . He now leisurely examined his share of the plunder . The jewels were of the most costly description—The Wrecker was not ignorant of the nature or value of such things . There was an entire set : necklace , ear-rings , bracelets , —all brilliants . He emptied the purse of its
contents and counted them ; there was enough to make him a wealthy man for many a day . There were several packets into which he had not looked . He opened them one after another—All contained riches ! He placed the things on the floor , applied the key , and hastened to deposit his treasure in the bottom of the trunk .
He was proceeding carefully with his pleasant occupation , when he thought he heard the shuffling of several feet in the outer apartment ; he stopped and listened . " Norris ! " whispered his wife at the door . The Wrecker did not reply , but went on , for now all was silent . " Norris ! " she repeated , " you are wanted . '
" Let them wait ! " vociferated the Wrecker ; " I would not come for my father , " added he , muttering to himself . At length the last article was disposed of ; he locked the trunk , ancl unbolting the door , opened it . " Well ! is my supper laid ? " he morosel y demanded , entering the outer apartment , and looking towards the table—A corpse lay stretched upon it . At the foot was a group of his nei ghbours with uncovered heads—the Wrecker stood stock still .
"What is tliis ? at length he inquired , with a hold voice , striving to conceal a cowering heart . " These must be the clothes , " exclaimed one of the group , stepping from the rest and lifting the bundle wMch Norris had brought in . " What clothes—whose clothes ? " fiercel y demanded tho Wrecker . "Why , your father ' s , " replied the other . " My father ' s ?" " Yes ; there he lies upon the table . It is your own father ' s body .