Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1839-02-09
MISCELLANEOUS.
ADVENTURE OF A MASON.
BY WASHINGTON IRVING.

BY WASHINGTON IRVING.
There was once upon a time a poor mason
or brick layer in Grenada, who kept all the
Saints days and holydays, and st. Mondays
into the bargain, and yet with all his devotion
he grew poorer and poorer, and could scarcely
earn bread for his numerous family. One
night he was aroused from his first sleep by
knocking at the door. lie opened and bcheId
before him tall, meagre, Cadaycrous looking
priest.
Iark ye, honest friend said the stranger
Il have often observed that you are good
Christian, and one to be trusted; will you
undertake job this very night'
with all my heart, Senor Padre, on condi-
ton that | am paid accordingly
THAT you shall be, but you must suffer
yourself to be blindfolded.
To this the mason made no objection; so
being hoodwinked, he was led by the priest
through various rough lanes and winding pas
sages, until he stopped before the portal Of
house. The priest then applied key, turned
creabing lock, and opened what seemed to
be ponderous door. They entered, the door
was conducted through an cchoing corridor
and spacious hall, into the interior part of the
BUILDING. Here the bandage was removed from
his eyes and he found himself in portico or
court, dmIy lighted by single lamp.
In the centre was the dry basin Of an old
Moorish fountain, under whichthc priest re-
QuCstcd him to form small vault--brjCks
a,d ortar being at hand for that purpose
lie accordingly worked all night, but without
finishing the job. Just before day break the
priest put piece of gold into his hand, and
having again blindfolded him, conducted him
back to his dwelling.
Are you wiling said he, ito return and
complete your WorkF
'GIadly, Senor Padre, provided l am as well
paid
He did so, and the vault was completed.
Now said thepriest, you must help me to
bring forth the bodies that are to be buried in
this vault
The poor mason's hair rose on his head at
these words: he followed the priest with
trembling steps into retired chamber of the
mansion, expecting to behold some ghastly
spectacle of death, but was relieved on per-
ceiving three Or four porty jars standing in
one corner They were evidently full Of mo-
ncy, and it was with great difficulty that he
and the priest carried them forth and con-
signed them to the tomb. The vault was then
closed, the pavemonts replaced, and all traces
of the work obIJerated
The mason was again hoodwinked and led
forth by route different from that by which
he had come. After they had wandered for
a long time through perpIeXed maze of lanes
and alleys, they halted The priest then put
two pieces of gold into his hand.-' Wait
here said he, 'untll you hear the ceatncdral
bell toll tor mathis. If you presume to unco-
Yer your eyes before that time, evil will betal
YOU So saying, he departed.
The mason waited faithfully, amusing him
self by weighing the gold pieces in his hand
and clinking them against each other. The
ooment the bell rung its matin peal, he unco
vcred his eyes, and found himself on the banks
Of the Peml, from whence he made the best
of his way home, and revelled with his family
for whole fortnight on the profits of his two
nights work, after which he was as poor as ev-
er. He continued to work little and pray
good deal, to keep Saints days and holy
days from year to year, while his family grew
up as gaunt and ragged as crew Of gyp-
sizes.
As he was seated one morning at the door
of his hovel, he was accosed by rich old man,
who was noted for knowing many houses and
being gripping landlord.
The man of money eyed him for moment
from beneath pair of shaggy eyebrows.
L am told, friend, that you are very
poor
There is no denying the fact, Senior; it
speaks for itself.
'lpresume, then, you will be glad of job,
and will work cheapP
'As cheap as my master, or any member in
Grenada
'That's what want. I have an old house
going to decay, that costs me more than it is
worth to keep it in repair-for nobody will
live in it; so must contrive to patch it up,
and keep it together at as small expense as
possible.
The mason was accordingly conducted to
a huge deserted house that seemed going to
rum. Passing through several empty halls
and chambers, he entered an inner court,
where his eye was caught by an old Moorish
fountain.
He paused for moment.
1t seems said he, 'as if | had been in this
place before: but it is like a dream. Pray,
Who occupied this house formerly!'
"A pest upon him. cried the landlord. 'lt
was an old misery priest, who cared for no.