Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-07-04

was deposited, was hardly secure, looked
around for safe place of deposit; but as
he found none to suit him, he concluded TO
bury it. A short distance from the house
was knoll, covered with trees, and in some
places thickly spread with underbrush. He
thought this was the best place he knew of,
aud hole was dug for its reception, where
under cover of night, and unbeknown to
any but the household the chest was remov-
ed by its owner with the assistance Of Oba-
diah
This is no love story, but il is not to be
supposed that girl of Helen Anson's spirit
aud beauty should have no admirers, and
this story as a history Of the Arson family, |
must necessarily relate all the principal
events Immediately relating 10 them.
William Edwards had long been an adj
mrer and lover of Helens, which love
was as fully returned by her as ii was freely
given by him. He was an amiable and in
teresting youth, and withal quite favorite
of Mr. Ruggles, and therefore was thought
to stand the best chance OF winning Helen's
hand which made him quite an object of
envy by some Of the village beaux, but not
outstanding this he had not real enemy
in the whole circle of his acquaintance, for
his character and manners were of that lofty
stamp calculated to win the confidence and
esteem of friends, and the respect Of enc
mics. He possessed a truly noble heart,
which was well worthy Of the lovely and
conhding being TO whom it was Devoted
Helen had now laid aside her mourning
weeds, after having worn them an unusual
length Of time, aud appeared TO be the same
lively being that she had ever been, but
there was a secret gnawing at her heart and
her mind was filled with unpleasant feelings,
whenever she reflected upon the incidents
related to her by her mother, and she often
wept over the memory Of the suflerings
which she had endured. The knowledge
too, that her father was one of the noun
tain banditi, that were roaming over the
land, striking terror TO the inhabitants of the
country wherever they appeared, was no
very consoing reflection. But time, the
soother of all grief, had effaced in some de-
gree, these dIsagreeable feelings, and her
liveiness and vivacity, was in measure re-
sumed She had consented to become the
bride of William Edwards, and to crafty
her guardian and protector. the wedding was
TO take place on the eighteenth anniyersarv
|
py day drew nigh, extensive preparations
were making for the wedding to which a
very large number of villagers had been in
vited, and Mr.. Rugges looked forward with
pleasure to the day when Helen should be
united to one whom he considered every
way worthy of her.
Mr. Black and Hhty had not been idle
during this time; neither had they relaxed
one effort to secure the success Of their
schemes. Their ardor increased with the
rising Of every sun, and cooled not the least
at its setting. Helen's wedding drew near,
which would Illustrate all their plans unless
carried into execution before that day ar
rived, as she was to have her portion settled
upon her on that day, which would in all
probability be the greater part of the old
gentleman's property. Mr.. Black persua.
ded Htty, after deal ofen,reaty, to inform
him where the mint" was deposited, and
succeeded in convincing her that it was but
just and right that they should possess them
selves of good share of its contents, and
when they had obtained it, to leave the place
and settle in some distant country, to ENJOY
the pleasures of life, and the qualifications
which their money would purchase, unuo.
ested They had agreed to attempt the ex.
ecution of their plan on the night of the
wedding while the people were listening to
the performance, aud there would be little
danger of their being detected.
1t may seem strange, but true it is, that
there was another party meditating an at
tack upon Mr.. Ruggles' Golfers upon the
same day and hour, but each ones plan:
were unknown to the other party. The
last named was no other than the mountain
bandtti spoken Of in the commencement o
this story, of which Charles Arson was thu
leader
The preparation for the wedding had beer
fully completed, and the evening arrived
The company had all assembled at the ap
pointed hour, even the Minister, who is FIRE
quently the last TO make his appearance oil
such occasions. Helen had slrolled fortl
Just at twilight, 10 mediate and commun,
with the God Of nature, whose works sh
loved to gaze upon, and admire So in
tense were her medtations, that she had IN
consciously wandered on till the shadows o
twilight had faded away into night, and sh
was at some distance from the house, whel
she heard the village clock strike the hou
appointed for the performance of the cere
mony. She Immediately turned her steps
and FASTENED homeward, tripping light
over the ground, and by the way of short
ening the distance, she crossed the knoll
where the much sought treasure of MI
Ruggles was deposited Just as she cam
to the spot, she was stopped, and handkel
chief was rudely thrust into her mouth, I
prevent her screaming, and.sbe was hurrie
away by the mountain bandits, who had a