Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1838-07-13
THE SECRET BANDIT.

Bile, who had an only chlld a Inir uhuSh.e''
The maiden lacked not suiors. both Tor her
beauty and amiabe qualities, and Tor the
lands she would inherit but among them
all she selected one who was no less distln'
ruished by his handsome person aud gal
liant bearing, than for his apparent riches, al
though he was n stranger in those parts
and no one could tell where lay his possess
ions. or whence he came. In short the day
was fixed for their betrothmenl, upon which
occasion a magnificent festival was to be
given 10 the nobleman.
II Glanced however, that on the proceed
ing evening the maiden walked out, unac-
companied by attendant and she was moi
aware of the Distance she had wander
ed. had lost herself in the intricacies oil
a deep wood AT length, meeting WITH
what seemed TO be a path, she pursued
the track. but found that it conducted TO u
d small cavern, that extended some way te-
meath the ground. Struck with wonder at
its romantic appearance, she determined TO
explore it, and advancing onward, soon dis
covered a spacious vault, that had every APP
pearance of being inhabited, and that too,
not by hermit or religious recluse, but by
one who had taste for health and luxury.
where she saw shining heap oil gold and
silver, which on examination, she found TO
consist of richly chased goblets and other
costly vessels, and gold coin. Continuing
her search she came to third chamber
where to her exceeding dismay and horror,
she beheld the remains OF human carcassses,
dead mems bones, and hldeous skulls. She
was now certain that she was in retreat OF
robbers and murderers, and was about TO
make her escape as soon as possible, when
a sound of approaching footsteps warned
her to conceal herself instantly behind a
kind of projecting pillar at the extremity OF
this chamber of death. Hardly had she
screened herself before robber entered,
bearing in his arms the dead body of a la
dy richly alfred from which he began to
strip the Jewels and valuable ornaments
While the barbarian was thus employed the
maiden caught glimpse OF his features and
cry of horror nearly escaped her lips as
she discovered them to be those Of her low
err He had now plundered the body OF all
but very beautiful ring, in his impotence
10 get it, cut off the finger with his sword,
but with such violence that it flew TO some
distance, very near the spot where the mai
he did not stay TO look for it, but having
heard signal from without, hurried away
TO rejoin his comrades. For some minutes.
the maiden stood rooted TO the spot with hor-
ror at what she had Just witnessed, and
dread ut her own fate al length, hearing no
noise whatever, she ventured from her hi
ding place, and soon after stole out OF the
cavern, having first picked up the finger
which had been cut of, and succeeded in
finding the way home where she found hen
father awaiting her return 10 the Creates
anxiety She excused herself by saying
that she had wandered much farther thar
she intended, but mentioned not word ofiht
cavern, or the scene that she had witnessed
there
On the following day the bridegroom ar
rived at the castle, attended by several com
panons, all splendid attired, and the lady
welcomed him as belited one who was 10
be her future lord AS they afterwards sal
at the festive board and the goblet passed
around, each guest reciled some legent OF
wonderous tale At length it came 10 The
lady's turn to be the narrator; whereupor
she began to relate the adventures of dam
sci, who having lost herselfina forest TOOK
a
for the purpose of concealng their booty
The bridegroom listened with the ulmos
anxiety. Within this cave, continued tn,
lady, were many fair chambers, in one o
which were heaps OF gold and silver; in al
other were hands, legs. and other remains o
dead bodies. The bridegroom could scarce
ly conceal his agitation; yet seemed to lent
an ear of unconcerned attention to the story
which proceeded 10 state how the damse
was surprised by The return of the robber
how she concealed herself, and the shock
ing scene she beheld 'Ha pleasant tale
truly exclaimed he, when the lady had fin
ished; yet melhinks better for an old crone'
freside than banquet like ours. hav
reason to believe, however, returned the la
dy,' that it is not mere gossip's legend, bu
fact "A fact ! exclaimed several guest!
Yes, one does not care to vouch for tn
truth of stories Of the kind in general, but
am inclined 10 believe this because tits II
deed an odd circumstance-I happen I
have the very finger and ring which til
robber cut off What now followed ma
be easily conjectured. He who had ente
ed the castle as a welcome guest, was retaiI
ed along with his comrade as prisone
and shortly after delivered up to the arm
justice. AS for the lady, she thanked Hea
en- for having rescued her in the first plac
from imminent peril, and the next from
union with guilty assassin.
African Slace Trade-.The Boston Cou
Ter gives the following shocking incide