Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-03-18
Ns,c Monthly NAG. for Jan.
PRESENCE OF MIND.

70 MS Stuay ana there, after settling his
accounts, of depositing the money in hi:
strong box till the next day, when the
steward was sent with it tothe Bank
This man had lived viii al$ lords faith.
er, and was SO beloved BY thl family, that
they placed implicit confidence in his in.
tegrity and worth. For some time his
lordship had, upon inspecting the Bank
er's book, and upon reference to his pri-
vate account, found that the sum they
credited him was always shFt of that he
sent. This being continued, led to Sc
we're investigations but nd result that
came out satisfied him how the deficiency
could happen. Some of the servants
came under his displeasure, and they were
at various periods dismissed.
On one particular rent-dag he placed
the money in different room, still having
for his con6dant the old steward, who, Of
course, joined with his lord in regretting
his late losses. On the same night, the
house-maid went to this room to see that
the shutters we're safe and, recollecting
that she had to clean it out very early, she
thought it not worth while to 90 to bed,
but determined to lay herself down and
sleep on the sofa. She did SO, and put
out the candle.
When half asleep, she was awaked by a
noise at the door, and she was Just going
to start up and ring the bell, thinking it
was thieves, when it slowly opened, and
in walked the old steward. He looked
cautiously round and hesitated, but, see
ing no object, went to the escrutoire
where his lord had locked his rents up
after opening the lock, he took out what
he pleased-and then relocking the draw
er, was going out, when-the reflection of
the candle upon the servants clothes
caught his eye! He started; but-she
might be asleep, and his transgressions
not witnessed.
To be assured of this, he went to the
sofa. and dashed the cdI.ugs back and
forwards before her eyes. The girl lay
still. He put his hand in his pocket, drew
out a clasp knife, and opened it.-He
flashed it before her eyes. The girl lay
still. He then put it to her throat-drew
it across and across it till she could feel
the edge almost cut her. She was now
aware that silence could alone save her
! life; for did she move, he would of course
murder her. She had presence of mind
to lay as still as death. Satisfied after
this terrible trial, that she must be fast
asleep, he closed the knife, and walked out
of the room. x
The frighted girl waited till she heard
his footsteps faint away; and then she
rushed up to the chamber of her lord, and
awakening him, she detailed the whole
of the scene, begging his lordship to sa-
tisfy himself of the truth. She had no
sooner told her story than she tainted.
Lord C. hardly credited her but he arose,
leaving Lady G. to take care Of the girl !;
and, after raising up his valet and other
servants, proceeded to search for the stew
ard.
His apartments being in different
wing of the house, they looked all about,
and then cautiously made their way to his
room. One of the men climbed up to
the window, and saw the old man count
ing money. He descended and told this ;
and then they rushed into the room, and
before the villain could hide his prize,
they had him a prisoner. His lordship
Unidentified the bank notes found upon him,
and he was, after a severe examination,
sent to prison.
Afraid of being executed, and dreading
to face his injured lord and various other
gentlemen who had placed confidence in
him, he put an end to his life by cutting
his own throat not before he left letter
detailing the sums he had purloined, and
where his master could find them. JUS
tice being frustrated by his not being
made an example of, his lordship was not
sorry to be spared accusing his old and
hitherto supposed faithful servant, and
the whole was therefore hushed up.
We return to the poor girl. After a
great deal of care, she recovered SO as
again to repeat before the steward her
Evidence but when she came to that part
where she. felt the knife touch her throat,
the horror of the circumstance threw her
into commissions, and she went mad:
.Ns,cs Of Lat. and Fashion.
A poor negro when near his end, was
once questioned by the neighbouring cler-
gyman as to the state of his mind. His re-
plies were all well till he came to the arti-
Gle of fofgiyness. "Me forgib cherry body
said he, but Sam N " But can you not
forgive him ?" aWy yes, fine die me forgib
him, but if me lib to get well, me hit him
anuder knock"