Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-05-20

Every thing which could impose on the minds of the
weak, or rouse the imagination of the enthusiastic pro-
seyte stu lied in the decorations of the cavern
council chamber and ITS approaches lights black
hangngs, scattered instruments of death and memen.
toes OF 'nortaity were displayed in scanty and solemn
arrangements Armand led on, followed by Cornelius
who ielt no sentiment but contempt for the inposinr
mummcry but at length when they reached AN onep;n9
space which Armand announced the anti chamber of
the council room our hero started with horror and felt his
blood run chill as he observed three or four nal corn
lying the floor, i'm the breast of each of which
dagger was stuck, while from each a stream of blood
ran trickling.
Armand saw his emotion and smiled He felt = spe
ces OF triumph m the momentary expression of alarm,
which Cornelius's face displayed. But the latter CON
strued ms smile in different sense He thought he
saw IN 1t the rejoicing treachery of murderous inten-
ton lie shrunk back, and turned his head round with
the view of dying from the place when he observed
two men dressed i'll black with naked swords in their
hands who had followed silently, aud made retreat i'm
possible They said with encouraging expression
OF countenance fear nothing citizen: this bnt nre
paration for the test of your courage and virtue"
20 not hesitate nor doubt me, Whispered Armaal;)
De hrin, or you are lost.n
With these words he knocked at a door beforo Thorn
and on his replying still in whispers se questions
from within il opened, and he and Cornepis once ad
united, IT closed again, with sulen sound that was
like the echoing sentence of eternal imprisonment
Three men of fierce aspect at table; their looks
glanced wildly thorough raven locks and seemed TO
tea story oterocious thoughts and deeds. The cham
Der was ike the approach to it, family anu sadly adorn-
ca. DOCK lay on the table, with writing Materials
Three or four daggers tsony other furniture and
their blades were stepped In bleorf.
few rapid questions were proposerf to Armand az
ie name. age and quality of the friend whom he thus
introduced Tor admission to the societyThcsc answer
ed and entered IN the register which lay the table
cornelius was asked if he ready to give his first
proof of his patriotism his devotion to the cause of free
dom, and his hatred of his foes He ans,y cred in the
affirmative, and then 1t demanded of Armand whe-
Their he was willing TO set the example his friend OF
the deed which he called upon perform. Armand
replied that he was, and the word, a curtain was
drawn, which disclosed cave still darker than the other
from the undistiug Unstable depths of which, low eroans
were heard to proceed. They became gradually loud
cr, aud finally blood stained couch was brought for
waid by two men, and on which lay bound another wrt
ing IN apparent agony.
"Take the dagger brother lsaid the president in a
hollow, yet fierce tonc) Take the darrer and strike
the Arstocrat to the hearth
Armard seized the weapon, and advanced towards
the couch. The who lay it, and who seemed
suffering under the acton of torture sooner saw
the uPlltted weapon, than he uttered shrel which
seemed to pierce to Corncliuss heart and screamed
aloud for mercy.
''No mercy for the Aristocra-Do hone f,r the Row
asts, (criei Armand) blood blood in the name Of our
country and our revenge!" and with the last word he
struck the dagger full against the suppant's breast
stream OF blood followed the weapon as Ire drew it
back, deeper groan issued from-the body and both
eNccuoner and victim instantly concealed by the
black curtain which fell between them and the witness
of the deed.
Cornelius stood shocked with establishment and hor-
Tor few minutes of dreadful silence passed over
|eA 'ie curtain was slowly raised, and the
iI1 carried p'tN dead body, the poniard fast in its
bleeding bosom. Ley passed the door, and Cornell
eart sunk ne heard the dead weight corpse
fan on the eartheo Eoor.
The couch again brought forward and on il Law
aioti!e. man. apparently exhausted or more firm
than the hrst for he only heaved heavy signs and bnt
half turned his pallid face, and open ewes with
indifference or insensibility the scene.
CHOW, citizen, take the dagger and rid the country
OF one enemy more establishing your right her graft
tnde and our confidence Take up the dagger" cried
the president.
Cornelius in the abstraction of terror seized the wea
Pon--adv anced as ii instinctivclv towards the
couch-raised his arm, while his brain rcelcd-but
started IN instantaneous recollection scene before
him and the deed lie about to commit The dapper
was falling from his hand, when the PROSTATE man cal
led to hln IN smotheed Whisper inaudbc or unnoti-
ccd oy the persons at the table, and the mute atten
dants, Stri Ike fearessy, COrnelus-It is l. Armand
there is no reality in your blow; wear a corset and
your daggcr's blade up into IFS ft-strilsc!
quick conviction flashed across Corncliu,'s mind.
Tie sa" all was ideou trick to try the of the
proSelytes Tie struck at the bosom of the pretended
victim The roam issued, and the blood lowei-and
the curtain fell between him and the council chamber
Armand sPrang upon ms feet, and was, with our hero
hurried h' tile mutcs into another roOm where brilliant
lights showed party of upwards of hundred Young
men, carousing, eating, drinking and enjoying them
serves 10 strange contrast to the trghttu ordeal through
which the uninated we're made to pass. This rnocke
Fy oil blood and horror used, Cornelius had sur
nised to prove the courage and desperation of those
who wished for admittance Those who had zone
through tue 'Ial acted the parts of the sacrificed Arts
tocrats Dead bodies procured from the hospitals
and burial grounds and danger the actors avoided
by spring daggers, and concealed breast Plates while
biadders containing blood made burst by the
harmless blows.
After these initiaory horrors which many of the high.
~ excited youths would in the hey-day of republican
trenIv have glorIed TO- had they been real the newly
admitted member was all at introduced into the
scene OF festive enjoyment before observation-disclosures
that there was nothing terrible An oath of patriotism
and Secrccv signal communicated certain sum de
posted TO and the general undand all the ceremonies
of installation were completed.
Tie brig Hind, Warwick, Of Portland arrived a
Havana on the 18th April, having on board the captain
mate and two belonging to the Spanish schooner
Sirena, which, on her passage from Baltimore for Ha-
vana, was captured off Roqucs the 25th april by
the Colombian brig General Soubettc.
letter dated at Havana the 29tIl April SAYS
"An English schooner arrived a few days since from
SACRIFICES, reports that the Castle Of ST. Juan was
blockaied by Mexican brig of 9 guns-two schrs.
OF guns and fO gun boats Of two guns each. There