The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-11-22

slope, and thick piece of wood pressed very
close behind it. An old orchard still stood between
them and the house. and as Walter approached the
delapidated fence, he said in low tone, "come
this way,-very cautiously, There are dogs in the
yard before the house, do not speak, or make
noise" s-rl ra
ssIndeed, )" said Henry "what do you intend to
doa-to steal apples, to rob the hen roost Verify,
you wish to prowl about country houses in the
night time, you must choose other company than
myself will 60 no farther, il we are seen we
shall surely be taken for prowng thieves, or
wandering vagabonds." t,s., ,sa.as
"Nay, Henry, deeply as you wrong me I must
still beg OF you this favor, though it be the last
that ever require Of you or any other; trust me;
will lead you into no evil" Henry followed,
rather reluctantly, until they reached the back of
the house, and stood. half hid, amid cump of
elders just opposite back window. The other
wlndnws Of the house were closely blinded, but
this appeared to have been considered sufficiently
secured by the forest in the rear, and by crooked
apple tree which grew closely beside it, and which
was probably, in midsummer sufficient screen,
but the autumn winds had been busy among its
leaves, and they could now, from the place where
they stood, see distinctly into the apartment to
which it opened. A company OF dark, fierce
looking men were gathered around table, appa-
rently engaged at game of cards, but nearer. and
more distinctly seen was group clustered with
deep. diabolical interest around faro bank
There was something wild and Notwithstanding in
the scene, which absorbed the attention of the
young men for few moments; but al length Hen
ry said, "This is evidently gambling establish
ment but what's that to u.s. The knowledge that
such den exists will not aid US, in the least, to
breek it up,--and-" ..-4
"Do you see that man that sits with the cap
slouched over his face, at the game Of faro" ask
ed Walter ...... .....a.. ......
"Yes, haye been looking at him for some mo-
ments, and more unhallowed semblance of hu-
manity was never turned from the hand Of nature,
! am sure," ..s..-
"Donot call that the work of nature the man is
masked" - .....- ...-r
"Masked with the spirit Of the pit, till the last
trace of Divinity is hidden, will grant you. 1t
were indeed credit TO our race to suppose that
the evil passion of the human heart, could never
be sufficiently bad to transform the countenance
into such demonac image.
"Nay, but frightful as is that mask. it hides a
blacker heart than could be portrayed upon its
features, for il Is the heart of hypocri,e." "
"Do you know him them"
"Know him." Walter grasped the arm of
| 1If with su1 lon ~ ,I,,,,
the opponent of the man of whom they had been
speaking, started to his feet and presented pistol
at his breast The weapon of death was knocked
upward OF its aim, by dirk that lay open upon the
table, and the next moment the two had erappled
in mortal combat. The cause of this fray was not
manifest to the spectators; but it was apparently
grounded on accusation of foul play against the
man who received the attack. The person who
made the assault was supple and active; but he had
been dsarmed, while his antagonist still held in
his hand the dirk which he had at first selzed-
! His arms were, however, bound down by the
firm grasp of the other, and the effort of each
seemed TO be TO throw his opponent 10 the ground
For some minutes the struggle lasted, and was
watched by the young men with breathless inter-
est, until an exclamation horror broke from the
lips Of Henry The man with the slouched hat
had succeeded in wounding his antagonist and, as
he released himself from his grasp, his cap and
mask fell off, and the face of Richard Vinton was
revealed. .--....s .t..-.-. .--.... .s,
"Can it be possible -and you knew him, Wal.
teri" SAID Henry. ,.- -,,.t --,. ....s
d, " Most certainly did -4i,rig,.t sta Fs!
Z" And expected TO find him here when you
camel"
"I had no other motive in leading you to The
spot" ss..-r ...-4.E
And yet, if the quarrel had not occurred, you
would have shown me nothing. Did you suppose
that you could convince me that that mask was
Richard Vinton'" r., I'd
mo. am saved the trouble OF half the proof, |
and have myself seen more than / have ever seen
before. But yet, if you had seen Richard vinton,
issue from house which you were sure that no
one but this same mask had entered, you might |
have been convinced There is a miserable dwell
ling in the outskirts OF the town, which COL Vim
ton processes to visit on errands Of charity Ihave
seen this mask enter its door more than once, and
our messenger of mercy invariably issues thence
soon afer.''
Are you ready now, 10 listen to me" contin-
ued Walter, as they turned their steps homeward.
! will hear anything, believe anything. as
fully as can believe my own eyes. I am sure
you can tell me nothing more strange than 1 have
seen. How long have you suspected v;nton'"
"For some years" replied Walter, g ever since
was Of an age to understand the ntricacies of bu-
smess transaction. or to inquire into the reason of
some occurrences in the family"
"And why have you never breathed your sus-
picions until nowl' .r...,..... |
" Because had no proof not even to my own
mind; and have often chidei myself for indulg- I
ING these suspicious, but would not Danish them I