Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-10-11

10y lEtir,~"i lH.-laliafn.
The door partially opened a, the Dol,
left i,s bed, and through the cre,Ice Pas.
caieislw the old man at his bench intent.
~ occupied at his labor, with bis plies of
gold aud SILVER glI,terirg before him. He
looked down and ClenChed his dagger:
then, glancins again al the miser. seem
ed 10 hesitate whether he should become
both assassin aud rohber. The helpless
appearance OF has victim seemed 10 plead
even 20 him for lcniiv. Replacing his
suletto, which be had taken from has bo-
som, he drew up his sleeves, and opo ned
and contracted las fingers, as leopard
does us claws when about 10 spring upon
its prey; then applying his foot lightly
agains, the door. II lew wide opcn-in
two bounds. that gave back no sound as
his unshod feet touched he floor, be was
NJ the old mans side, with his fingers
claSpcd around his throat.
Ills eyes startled from their sockets his
lips vainly essayed 10 arlicula,e So
vereisn which he had Just taken up. fell
TO the floor; the clippers dropped from his
hand; pain and terror were horribly de-
picicd on his withered visage. For on
instant Pascalet held him thus, then grad
ually relaxing his grasp before lie should
escape, hc held him by the throat with
one hand, while, suspendiag his knife
over him with the other, he threatened
him with instant death ii be moved or
spoke. Joseph cllsred hi, bands and ST.
lenlly pleaded for mercy. Pascalet knew
not the meaning Of tie word. Leading
him, exhausted by terror and suffering TO
las cot lie caused him TO lie down upon
his face. ''i'Ii bury NY DAGGER in thy
"itheied carcass, hc whispered in his
Franco En- sIi,h-but. for The sake Of en-
ergy Ne give the purer English-in his
ear, If thou STIR hand or foot Tell me
where thou hast hidden thy gold, or thou
diest."
Cold: Oh, I'm not worth ha'pcnce
(hali-pcnny) in the world
Thou hest! and speak above thy
breath again, and thou s.alt taste my
knife Twas Of mercy thou didst not
feel I.s edge e'cr now, instead Of tic eriic
of my fingers. Whose gold IS this, II no:
! thine
"Oh, the oolony., the colony 's-sent
! 10 me 10 be weighed. hc erred rolling
bis eyes IN despair towards the Pile.
"Ihc oolony'sl Then I'll be debtor TO
the state the full SUN and not harden ny
conscience by robbing poor wretch,
( hc sad, advancing to the bench LcaIcd
Z with com. la, mort DE- vie i' lac cX.
! claimed, as he detected the tray OF clip.
/ pings rs tins the way thou sctvest tie
states money Ill drag thee before the
! governor. and have thee hung higher than
ever Haman was
Mercy good youth, said Joseph. his
| eye frightening, " Us not the siatc's /
meant It in jest. And, since thou saycst
/ it will q against H., conscience to rob a
/ poor wretch, lis mine own 80
"Ciei thou ant, then, NO poor wretch,
II thou ownest all this gold, 50 ny con.
/ science will be clear on this score
But twill make me poor wretch, If
thou rob met
Then when thou art made a poor
/ wretch. ! will not rob thee. SO con
science bath Il both ways
DlMiac joseph groaned IN bitterness OF
. spigii. pasoaiet, uuhec.irg him, pro-
cectcd,. s;t.l keeping an eye on ISIS VIC
nu, Who seemed 10 Dee p9raiyAed a. ii IN.
der lie gaze Of hasiiI,k 10 convey the
dul'a;s aud so'er,igrs tohis pocket, with
out beng nice m selecting the clipped
. from the uuc,iIpcd.
NOW. old N.CJIcuur, he said, q" li
leave thee thy clippings tor lily pains
Bat lLoa hast more thau this cona, III
warrant mo-
a., true as ih,grs Heaven above,
anI Judgment day t. come have not
another penny. ! aH. Iup o,cu.Aci. and
/ must beg ny bread about the sUect,.--
Ga, mercy. good ouih mercy D0noi rob
au old age,ch Inak on thy conscience
Have not argued thai point Viih thee.
Sp hush and give mt tbs acNs. hc add
cd. approaching 90, cot - here ,hc old man
haG been lam tuuLlng and EruIBinc. WIlh
be- ewes directed towards 'hc foller. a5
sovereign after sovereign disappeared 500
The cap,uous rerosgoucs IA the babii-
uruis II flerllct "DiNIe that thong. 90
MS hD.ir BALL do o. i,r thee
Us bot lhc key t. tie outer door
I oh mercy, OH
Pa.caiet pes ed his hand roughly "a, IN
bss mouth and with his dagger cot the
suns. Having FOsscs. Oithe KEYS be-
began Co examine The room. After max
ing an uusucccesiul search. be- suddenl,
advanced upon lhe uiser. and SAID With
terrible emlhl.i-, placing lis mouth close
80 bIs eat.
"Icll me where lies thy money. or
thou dicsii sad the point II TIE dagger
fr.cd painfully against ihc skn ol hs
ucum
Domino Joseph as iiiefuGed INTO COM
7 plsn,c pointed 90 ihc chimney CRYING
.iuihc accents oi despair There ihcor'
/ T1.ca.,t seized ths iehtto explore D.
and tlc rij man iacc lh UP With somc-
thing Ike a smile 90 the temporary delay
be- TAI gained. lie rio.riy scafchcd ihe
Gfc-Pkcc. turning up every loose hucL
lul oven i,.t.n. up ihc chimney bui Boa
vain. ODD man. De- SAID advancing
il hm fefccly fhau hsst deceived me-
De- raised Dos am 60 strike tc dagger
irio h.s back when Joseph in ihc o&ucm.