1870 - 1st installment of Poe's Short Story "The Gold-Bug"
It was in the Orangeburg News, page 2, dated Saturday Morning, 26 March 1870, that we found Edgar A. Poe's published piece titled, "The Goldbug."
"Why have I not seen you for so long a time? I hope you have not been so foolish as to take offense at any little brusquerie of mine; but no, that is improbable. "Since I saw you I have had great cause for anxiety. I have something to tell you, yet scarcely know how to tell it, or whether I should tell it all. "I have not been quite well for some days past, and poor old Jup annoys me, almost beyond endurance, by this well meant attentions. Would you believe it? -- he had prepared a huge stick, the other day, with which to chastise me for giving him the slip, and spending the day, souls, among the hills on the main land. I verily believe that my ill looks alone saved me a flogging. "I have made no addition to my cabinet since we met. If you can, in any way, make it convenient, come over with Jupiter. Do come. I wish to see you tonight, upon business of importance. I sure you that it is of the highest importance. Ever yours, William Legrand." Legrand's friend returned with Legrand's negro to the Island where we find Legrand waiting in easier expectation. Legrand grasped his friend hand with a nervous empressement which alarmed his friend and strengthened the suspicion he already entertained. Legrand's countenance was pale, ghastliness, and his deepest eyes glared with unnatural lustre. Legrand's friend asked if he had obtained the scaraboerus from Lieutenant G. Legrand replied that he had gotten it from Lt. G the next morning, and nothing should tempt him to part with that scaraboeus. Legrand was supposing the bug to be of real gold. Expressing to his friend that the bug was to make his fortune. To reinstate Legrand in his family possessions. Legrand showed the Gold bug to his friend. A great prize in a scientific point of view. Two round black spots near one extremity of the back, and a long one near the other. The scales were exceedingly hard and glossy with all the appearance of burnished gold. The weight of the insect was very remarkable, and, taking all things into consideration, his friend could hardly blame the negro for his opinion respecting it; but what to make of Legrand's concordance with that opinion, his friend could not, for the life of him, tell. Legrand asks his friend to join him and his negro to go on digging expedition that same afternoon, returning next morning. But his friend refused because he thought Legrand sick. But with a heavy heart his friend did accompanied Legrand, Jupiter (the negro) and the dog. The negro carried the scythe and spades. The friend had charge of a couple of dark lanterns, while Legrand was content with the scaraboeus, which he carried attached to the end of a bit of whipcord; twirling it to and fro, with the air of a conjuror, as he went. That is where the first printing of Poe's short story ended. The second printing to be continued the following week. | View or Add Comments (0 Comments) | Receive updates ( subscribers) | Unsubscribe
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