[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
chain of circumstantial evidence (strengthened as it was by
some additional damning facts, which Mr. Goodfellow's
sensitive conscientiousness forbade him to withhold from the
court) was considered so unbroken and so thoroughly
conclusive, that the jury, without leaving their seats, returned
an immediate verdict of Guilty of murder in the first degree.
Soon afterward the unhappy wretch received sentence of
death, and was remanded to the county jail to await the
inexorable vengeance of the law.
In the meantime, the noble behavior of Old Charley
Goodfellow, had doubly endeared him to the honest citizens
of the borough. He became ten times a greater favorite than
ever, and, as a natural result of the hospitality with which he
was treated, he relaxed, as it were, perforce, the extremely
parsimonious habits which his poverty had hitherto impelled
him to observe, and very frequently had little reunions at his
own house, when wit and jollity reigned supreme dampened
a little, of course, by the occasional remembrance of the
untoward and melancholy fate which impended over the
nephew of the late lamented bosom friend of the generous
host.
One fine day, this magnanimous old gentleman was
agreeably surprised at the receipt of the following letter:
Charles Goodfellow, Esq., Rattleborough
From H.F.B. & Co.
Chat. Mar. A No. 1. 6 doz. bottles (1/2
Gross)
83
The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe [Volume 5]
by Edgar Allan Poe
{The above inscription lies vertically to the left
of the following letter in the print version Ed.}
"Charles Goodfellow, Esquire.
"Dear Sir In conformity with an order
transmitted to our firm about two months
since, by our esteemed correspondent, Mr.
Barnabus Shuttleworthy, we have the honor of
forwarding this morning, to your address, a
double box of Chateau-Margaux of the
antelope brand, violet seal. Box numbered and
marked as per margin.
"We remain, sir,
"Your most ob'nt ser'ts,
"HOGGS, FROGS, BOGS, & CO.
"City of , June 21, 18 .
"P.S. The box will reach you by wagon, on the
day after your receipt of this letter. Our
respects to Mr. Shuttleworthy.
"H., F., B., & CO."
The fact is, that Mr. Goodfellow had, since the death of Mr.
Shuttleworthy, given over all expectation of ever receiving the
84
The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe [Volume 5]
by Edgar Allan Poe
promised Chateau-Margaux; and he, therefore, looked upon it
now as a sort of especial dispensation of Providence in his
behalf. He was highly delighted, of course, and in the
exuberance of his joy invited a large party of friends to a petit
souper on the morrow, for the purpose of broaching the good
old Mr. Shuttleworthy's present. Not that he said any thing
about the good old Mr. Shuttleworthy when he issued the
invitations. The fact is, he thought much and concluded to say
nothing at all. He did not mention to any one if I remember
aright that he had received a present of Chateau-Margaux.
He merely asked his friends to come and help him drink
some, of a remarkable fine quality and rich flavour, that he
had ordered up from the city a couple of months ago, and of
which he would be in the receipt upon the morrow. I have
often puzzled myself to imagine why it was that Old Charley
came to the conclusion to say nothing about having received
the wine from his old friend, but I could never precisely
understand his reason for the silence, although he had some
excellent and very magnanimous reason, no doubt.
The morrow at length arrived, and with it a very large and
highly respectable company at Mr. Goodfellow's house.
Indeed, half the borough was there, I myself among the
number, but, much to the vexation of the host, the Chateau-
Margaux did not arrive until a late hour, and when the
sumptuous supper supplied by Old Charley had been done
very ample justice by the guests. It came at length,
however, a monstrously big box of it there was, too and as
the whole party were in excessively good humor, it was
85
The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe [Volume 5]
by Edgar Allan Poe
decided, nem. con., that it should be lifted upon the table and
its contents disembowelled forthwith.
No sooner said than done. I lent a helping hand; and, in a
trice we had the box upon the table, in the midst of all the
bottles and glasses, not a few of which were demolished in
the scuffle. Old Charley, who was pretty much intoxicated,
and excessively red in the face, now took a seat, with an air
of mock dignity, at the head of the board, and thumped
furiously upon it with a decanter, calling upon the company to
keep order during the ceremony of disinterring the treasure.
After some vociferation, quiet was at length fully restored,
and, as very often happens in similar cases, a profound and
remarkable silence ensued. Being then requested to force
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]