Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-09-23

ture, still and unmoveable, and plunged in
the profoundest reflection. Without his
observing ii, the door opened gently, and
man, whose features il was impossible TO
distinguish in the gloom which pervaded
the apartment entered, advanced towards
him, and called him by name. Sebastian
was too much occupied to reply. He was
seized by the arm.
Sebastian raised his eyes--a tall, fine
looking creole stood before him.
"What brings you here, father'" asked
the boy, with evident concern.
"Only to keep you company, my child"
THAT is unnecessary, father; return to
your bed. will keep watch alone"
"But if the Zombi should appear"
Sebastian smiled and replied:
Il am not afraid of him, father"
But if he should take you from me, my
childl"
The boy raised his eyes towards the
large skylight in the vaulted ceiling through
which the twinkling stars were glmmering
with peerless ray.
"Place your trust there, father, and re-
turn again to your bed. l will lay myself
down upon the carpet, ank seek forgetful-
ness in sleep"
"But are you not afraid tn Zombi will
come, Sebastian"
mo, father; the belief in the Zombi is
only superstition of our country; and
Father Eugenio has told you as well as me
that there are no such things as supernat-
ural beings"
"Why did you tell the young gentlemen
Of the studio, then, that it was the Zombi
who sketched those mysterious fgures!"
"For my own amusement, father. en-
Logged their establishment"
"Well, good night, my dear boy" said
Gomez, as he left the room.
Sebastian no sooner found himself alone
than he leaped about the room for Joy.
"And now to my work." he cried; but
5 stopping suddenly, he paused and reflected
| on the morrow. "Twenty-fve lashes if
do not tell who has sketched these figures
and double that number, perhaps, if con
, TESS myself the guilty one. What shall
, dol"
8 Sebastian kneeled upon the carpet, which
served him at night for bed; but an ire
sistible drowsiness crept over his senses in
; the middle of his prayer, and leaning
against the marble wall of the studio, he
fell into profound slumber.
A faint dusky ray Of the morning ligh
stole through one of the large oval win
, dows of the apartment, and fell softly upor
D the easel of Mendez The sonorous clocl
e of the old cathedral of Seville tolled tn,
I hour of three, and aroused Sebastian from
his slumbers. Any other child would have
7 Welded to the control of WEAKNESS ant
]. slept; but Sebastian, who had only three
hours for himself-three hours of liberty
leaped from his resting place and advanced
r toward half open window, TO inhale thu
: fresh air Of the morning.
up, up, Sebastian" said he to himself
i "you have only three hours of your own
improve them; and the remainder belongs
> to your master"
e BY this time he had completely banishe'
a his drowsiness.
}; Terrified by the sensations which hi
d pictures had created the day preceding, hi
, first impulse on awaking was to efface eV
Is cry line his pencil had traced; and, diPpin
: his brush in oil, he advanced towards tn
IS Madonna, who, through the gloom of tn
vast and sombre apartment, looked nor
o beautiful and lovely than ever.
u blot out those enchanting features
IL obiterate those heavenly beamng eye
No, never Rather will endure the thrca
d ened punishment, rather will ! undergo an
& torture, than thus annihilate this most bea'
D. tiful conception of my Imagination. IT
T. young artists themselves had not the hea
to efface them, and shall do il? No, neve
. That lip lives, breathes and speaks. If
;" should erase that celestial countenance
- should feel as though l had caused the Ii
blood of the ever blessed Madonna to flo
~ No, rather will / prosecute the glorio
y task and complete it, let the punishment
~ what il may"
No sooner had this thought entered
mind than Sebastian seized the palette