Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-02-25

lperson: but be he who he might. he wa, a
gam Obliged TO commence bis labor. TIL,
stranger bad now finished his box, and An
idrew had no alternative but to commence a
gam, or stare hun in the face; the latter he
could not co, as his imagination had nov,
Imetamorphoscd him into something more or
less than man. Once more, therefore. did
ANDREW plyat the pestle, while the stranger.
as Al to begulie the tedium of waiting, began
70 grow more loquscious. Had Andrew ey-
er sought after the Philosophers Stone, the
Universal Solvent, or Elixir of Life? Did he
put much faith IN Solomon's Balm Of Gilead.
or Carrington's Pills, or did he believe in the
Metempsychosls'--ln vain he assured him
ne studied nothing but the Edinburgh Dspen-
satory, that bus shop bounded his researches;
,ne stranger took for granted he must be a.
bic to give or receive information. and uues-
ton after question did he put. to which An
drew assented, without knowing their purport
AT length he seemed 10 have exhausted all
has subjects, sat himself on the chair. az
Il TO compose himself to sleep, and in a short
time gave unequivoeal proofs il. Andrew
now began to breathe more freely. and ven
tured to cast his eyes towards the strange
customers; and, after all, there was nothing
to be alarmed at IN his appearance, except
he noticed the breath from his nostrils an
peared more like the steam of tea kettle
than the breath Of human being. Still there
was nothing extraordinary in his appearance.
he had good jovial English farmers face.
and a dress that well suited it. to be sure n
smile or rather grin, lurked in the corner Of
his mouth, even while asleep, as ifhe mock
ed poor Andrews perplexity--He did not,
however, allow much time for observation
he seemed 10 be intuitvcly aware Andrew
had ceased his usual polite manner .Oh,
see you have finished; have the goodness to
prepare me one box more; but let mo pray
you to take your leisure and compose YOUR.
self, for am in no hurry" Andrew, who
had fondly hoped his labor at an end, now
found himself obliged to renew it again with
vigoar, while the stranger aroused himself,
rose from his chair, yawned and shook linn
self--spoke OF the comfortable nap he had
enjoyed--was sorry he had kept Andrew up
so late or early rather, forit was now morning.
Andrew though internally wishing him any
where but in his shop, yet constrained him
self politely to answer that his commands
gave him much pleasure. Again did he re-
new his toll Box after box dip he prepare
without intermission, and the hours Of one,
two and three had been told in snccession,by
the market clock. Bitterly did be lament his
destny-long before this he ought to have
been snug and comfortable in his warm bed.
Anger now began to assume the place of fear,
as he grew more accustomed to his visiter's
company, and often did he determine in him
self to refuse preparing any more: Still his
courage was not yet at that pitch; probably
his exertions, as said before, may have in
jured his neryes--however, he could not raj
ly himself enough 10 do it. The stranger,
with his usual smile or grin, stood looking on,
employing his time by beating the devils
tattoo on his boot, while at intervals came
forth the usual phrase, "Another box, but
don't hurry yourself" AT length mere ina
bility to proceed any farther supplied the
place of courage; his arms and sides achcd to
such degree with his labor, as to cause the
perspiration to stand on his brow in great
drops, and he declared he could proceed no
further.
The alteration in the strangers counten-
ance told him he had better left it unsaid,
and his hands instinctively grcsped the pestle
with renewed vigor, bathis repentance came
too late: the strangers had already across
the counter, and in second more had grasp
ed Andrews nose az firmly as lift had been
in vice. Andrew stroye in vain to release
Ihimself-the stranges held him with more
than human grasp; and his voice, instead Of
the polite tone he had before used, now
sounded to his terrified ears what his imagin-
alton had pictured Of the Indian yell. The
pain Of the grippe deprived him Of voice 70
assure his tormentor he would compound for
him as long as he would wish; still he con-
trived to make signs to that effect, by stretch-
| ing his hands towards his. mortar, and imita-
ting the action of grinding; but his tyrant was
relcntless--firmer did he close his fore finger
and thumb Andrew could not shake him
| off; like person afflicted with night mare.
he in vain essayed his strength, though agon-
Ii sed with the fear of losing his prominent
feature in the struggle. The stranger at
length, as if endowed with supernatural
strength, lifted him from the ground, balan-
Iced him in the cir for moment, gave him a
three fold witch, drew him head foremost
over the counter, and let him fall. When
Inc came to his senses be found himself lying
outside his bed, the only injury from his fall
being broken nsse.
i .fmericaa Unirerssl Biographical Dictionary
Mr. Flint, OF Cincinnati, author OF the mos
Entertaining book of American travels eyeI
printed, has issued proposals for publishing a
i ,vork x.fh the aboye title The basis OF thu