登陆注册
13301600000011

第11章 P. H. Woodward(4)

With the last doubt satisfactorily overcome, the plans of the prospective millionaire rapidly took shape. He could raise five hundred dollars, which at the proposed rate of interchange would purchase twenty-five thousand of the "absolutely perfect imitations." The sum seemed vast--incalculable. His imagination, hitherto bound down by the narrow circumstances of remote rural life, staggered while trying to grasp the conception of so much wealth. Like the mysteries of time and space, it appeared too grand for comprehension. Then his reveries strayed into another channel. What noble fellows were Ragem & Co. Why, among forty millions of people, did they pick out him, an unknown clergyman, living in an obscure place hundreds of miles from the metropolis, to be the favored recipient of untold wealth? Surely, this is a special Providence. Not a sparrow falleth to the ground without His knowledge. He watches over his own. Suddenly the erring clergyman feels a terrible pull at his heart-strings. What right has he, about to betray a sacred trust, and engage in operations branded as infamous by the laws of the land, to claim the watchful care of Providence? Will not the all-seeing eye follow him? Will not the omnipotent hand strike him heavily in wrath? The poor man wipes the cold perspiration from his forehead, and wonders if it will pay.

But he has paltered too long, and now the devil claims him for his own.

Returning home, Sapp wrote to Ragem & Co., stating the amount of his available resources, and saying that upon a given day and hour he would meet them at the appointed rendezvous. On the following Sunday the congregation were startled at the close of the afternoon services by an extraordinary announcement from the pulpit.

Before pronouncing the benediction the pastor said: "I take this opportunity to communicate to you collectively a piece of personal intelligence which I have hitherto kept secret. Under the will of a relative who recently died in the State of Michigan, I inherit a large sum--to me, with my humble wants, a very large sum. By appointment, I am to meet the executor of the estate this week in New York City to receive the first installment of the legacy. I do not propose to leave you, my dear parishioners, but to remain among you and toil with you as I have done for so many years. A goodly portion at least of my inheritance I intend to invest in this community, that neighbors and friends may share jointly in my prosperity. I trust I may be guided to make a wise use of the talents thus unexpectedly, and I may say providentially, committed to my keeping. We know from the teachings of Scripture that wealth brings great responsibilities, and that we shall be held to a strict account for the manner in which we employ it. May your prayers go with me."

The congregation crowded around the pastor with congratulations.

Particularly demonstrative were the ebullitions of two or three brothers who saw a chance of exchanging sundry unsalable possessions for slices in the inheritance.

Mr. Sapp reached New York City in the evening, and the momentous interview was to take place at an early hour the next day. Sleep came in brief and fitful snatches. But the stars roll on in their majestic spheres, regardless of mortal hopes and fears. At length day broke, when the preacher rose from bed anxious and unrefreshed.

A little before the appointed time he proceeded to a certain building, and having mounted two flights of stairs, saw the magic number on the door in front of him. As the clock struck he entered. Agreeably to a preconcerted plan, he wiped the right corner of his mouth with a white handkerchief, and nodded three times. The only person in the room, a well-dressed and apparently affable gentleman, responded by wiping the left corner of his mouth with a red silk handkerchief, and nodding three times. The signal is correctly answered: it is he! So far all works beautifully, with every promise kept. The bill was a perfect imitation, the engraver is on hand to a second.

"Two truths are told, As happy prologues to the swelling act Of the imperial theme."

The fellow passing under the name of Ragem & Co. welcomed the new arrival cordially. "Ah," said he "your promptness and circumspection show that I am not disappointed in my man. I see that you come up to the full measure of my expectations. Do you know I am a remarkable judge of character? In fact, I seldom or never make a mistake. We are both in luck."

"I was trained to punctuality from early youth," replied the preacher; and proceeding directly to business, without further circumlocution, continued, "I succeeded in raising five hundred dollars, which entitles me under the agreement to twenty-five thousand."

From an inner pocket, after removing a number of pins, he produced six one hundred dollar notes, saying, by way of explanation, "For greater security I converted my funds into bills of large denomination. One I reserve for contingencies; the other five are for you."

"Your money is here in the safe," said Ragem, taking the five notes, and turning toward the safe as if to unlock it. But the scoundrel evidently reasoned that it would be silly to remain content with the five when he could just as easily capture the sixth.

Walking back, he remarked, "I want to show you that my large bills are just as perfect as the small ones"; and, as if for purposes of comparison, he took the remaining note from the hand of the clergyman.

At this moment began a fearful knocking on a side door, that threatened the speedy demolition of the frail barrier. "Run, run," whispered Ragem, as if in the extremity of terror, "the police are on us."

The preacher needed no second invitation, fear of exposure giving wings to his feet. Almost at a bound he cleared the two flights of stairs and emerged into the street, walking several blocks, and turning a number of corners before he dared to look back.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 一个顶流的诞生

    一个顶流的诞生

    周牧穿越平行时空,成为十八线透明小演员。坐拥地球丰富的信息资源,他本想退圈创业暴富,不料无钱寸步难行。没办法,他只能先混圈攒钱,却莫名其妙红了。然后,真香!!!娱乐圈,大染坊。许多事情,身不由己。为了事业(金钱),为了爱情(美女),他决定砥砺奋进。一个顶流,就此诞生!
  • 我有一个小说提现系统

    我有一个小说提现系统

    一位网络作家为了每天能码更多的字,让读者享受更多的阅读时间,响应广大读者号召,向女友提出分手。不料被女友残忍拒绝:我家的房子太多了,需要你帮我收租!!!张斌欲哭无泪:我真不想吃软饭!却因意外获得金手指,能把张斌写的小说主角成就体现出来。“叮,小说主角获得1栋楼,已提现,恭喜宿主喜提1栋楼。”“叮,小说主角获得兰博基尼毒药一辆,已提现,恭喜宿主喜提兰博基尼毒药。”…………我叫张斌,文武双全的斌!
  • 熠橙相遇逸程游戏

    熠橙相遇逸程游戏

    那个夜晚要不是她,他可能早也饿死在那巷子里。她,原本以为除了母亲,会心疼她,爱她,用生命保护她……他,原本以为这辈子都不会出现,一个可以让他愿用生命去保护她,爱她,心疼她,守护她的女孩出现。再次的遇见,那就是缘分,命中注定的。
  • 田园似锦

    田园似锦

    一朝穿越,一朝重生,历经三世。才发现,原来,亲情,爱情,友情,不过只是假象,在睁眼时,成为一个爷不疼,奶不爱的农家女,爹老实,娘怯弱,吃不饱,穿不暖。看着瘦弱的哥哥妹妹,抬头望天,挽起袖子,努力的发家致富,掌握自己的人生。对于男人,呵呵,都是大猪蹄子......保证女主不白不傻,不圣母,不包子。
  • 2016之巨星归来

    2016之巨星归来

    当王者归来,是否还能再次君临天下,高高在上,俯视众生......嗯,这是一本华语娱乐圈小说
  • 重生之帝凰天下

    重生之帝凰天下

    堂堂一全国武术女冠军,竟然一场坠机就这样结束了她的生命?上天眷顾灵魂寄体,犀利的凤眸睁开,这是一个弱肉强食血染黄土的异界大陆。一朝被退婚一朝遇佳人,真是应了那句多谢当初不娶之恩啊!天穹之上,黄泉之下,面临的是扑朔迷离的身份,拼的是斗智斗勇的战争!曾经的刚毅化为铁骨柔情的眷恋。曾经的淡漠化为心肋最柔软的缠绵。风云天下剑指苍穹,且看如何来称霸这新天下!
  • 一眸倾城

    一眸倾城

    一块青石,一座孤桥见证的却是千年的情缘忘川河畔一眸的回首仿佛穿越的时空,只因一句承诺一个花一样的女子,有着花一样的笑容,更有着花一样的魅力只是曾迷失的时间里,灿烂是为谁而开如果这天下容不下我们,我就反了这天下谁敢阻止我们在一起,是神,我杀神,是佛,我杀佛看见眼前的这片土地了吗,以后这块大地就是你的了待我成皇时,你亦成妃我相信你
  • 曲终人散不尽欢

    曲终人散不尽欢

    纳兰荣若和他表妹的青涩初恋,尚书穿越到他表妹身上,看尚书如何挽回这段经历坎坷的爱情把。
  • 诡宗卷

    诡宗卷

    2019烧脑作品 主角苏秦和他的伙伴们接二连三的遇见诡异案件。而他们是否能破案呢?废话,他们可是主角。那凶手又是谁呢?不知道,反正没有大纲。一卷一故事。
  • 云霄九界

    云霄九界

    普通之人,碌碌一生,临死之际,苍穹寒芒……再睁眼,已归昔日故乡。一酒楼小厮身死穿越回十年之前,从那时起,历史轨迹悄然改变,小厮一剑丈天涯,为寻求属于自己的本心。