The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-08-13

"cuulng was 10 take pidCe Oh tile elSnteentn
: anniversary of her being found at his door.
As the happy day grew nigh, extensive prep
: aratons were making for the wedding, TO
: which large number OF villagers had been
! invited, and Mr.. Rugsles looked forward
With pleasure to the day when Helenshould
be united to one whom he considered every
way worthy other.
Mr.. Black and Kitty had not been idle du-
ring 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 arrived, as she was
to have her portion settled upon her on that
day. which would in all probability he the
greater part OF the old gentlemans property.
MIR. Black persuaded Kitty, after deal of
entreaty, to inform him where the mint was
deposited, and succeeded in convincing her
that it was but just and right that they should
possess themselves of good share of its con-
tents, and when they had obtained it, to leave
the place and settle in some distant country,
10 enjoy the pleasures of life, and the graft
fcations their money would purchase, unmo
Tested. They had agreed to attempt the ex-
ecution of their plans on the night of the we'd
ding while the people were listening to the
performance, and there would be little dam
ger of their being detected.
1t may seem strange, but true it is, tina;
there was another party meditating an al
tack upon Mr.. Ruggles' Golfers upon the
same day and hour, but each ones plans
were unknown TO the other party. The last
named was no other than the mountain ban
ditt, spoken of in the commencement ofthis
story, of which Charles Arson was leader.
The preparation for the wedding had been
fully completed, and the evening arrived
The company had all assembled at the ap-
pointed hour, even the minister, who is fire.
quenily the last TO make his appearance on
such occasions Helen had strolled forth
just at twilight, to mediate and commune
withthe God ofnature, whose works she loved
to gaze upon and admire. So intense were
her meditations, that she had unconsciously
wandered on till the shadows oil twilight had
faded away into night, and she was some dis
lance from the house, when she heard the vii
lage clock strike the hour appointed for the
ceremony TO commence. She Immediately
turned her steps, and FASTENED homeward,
tripping lightly over the ground, and by the
wav OF shortening the distance, she crossed
the knoll where the much sought treasure
of Mr. Ruggles' was deposited. Just as she
came 10 the spot, she was stopped, and a
handkerchief was rudely thrust into her
mouth, 10 prevent her screaming, and she
was hurried away by the mountain bandits
who had already secured the contents ofthe
chest. They had but Just had time to get
out ofhearing distance, when Kitty and her
paramour made their appearance at the
grave ofthe much sought treasure, with in-
pliments for its Refinement. But great was
their surprise and disappointment at finding
the chest empty, and swept, though not ex-
acIly garnished to their liking.
All was confusion in the house of Mr. Rug
gles-some were sent this way, and some
HAT, in search ofthe bride, but all returned
with the same success-she was nowhere to
be found. The Bridegroom for while fran
tic with grief at the thought of loosing the
cherished idol of his heart, and the circLm-
stance OF her appearance being enreloped in
a mystery heightened the poignancy of
his distress, and his cup OF happiness was
dashed TO the earth justas he was raising it
te his lips.
Mr. Black and Hitty, whose disappont-
ment had raised them up 10 such pitch of
anger that they determined TO revenge them
selves on some one, when they heard of Hell
EMS mysterious disappearance, immediate
" resolved 10 turn this fact 10 their own adj
vantage. Under the pretence o. walking out
for pleasure, they reported that having ar
rived near the buried chest, they heard per-
sons engaged in earnest conversation, and
on a near approach, to their horror, beheld
Helen in company with several persons Just
reireating fro m the chest, which when they
reached they found empty. True enough,
Helen left i'll company with the robbers just
before they arrived, but then they never saw
4 ~ tha Loo hat sh n
had been near there, but they invented this
base fabrication, making it look as plausible
as possible, in the vain hopes of preiudcing
the minds Of the people against Helen, and
turning such prejudice TO their own advan-
tage Ii is unnecessary TO say that this so-
ry was credited only by very few OF The vii
layers, and it was treated by Mr.. RuggIes
and Edward with scorn, and with feeling
that babe the slanderers beware how they let
their lying tongues tamper with the fame OF
i one they held so dear. So incensed was Mr..
Ruggles that he Immediately forbade MIR.
Black the privilege of visiting his house. and
discharged Hitty from his service. They
soon left the village together, but where they
went. few knew and less cared. The idea
that Helen. the 1oved and lost who had
been brought up and lived for years among
Them and had scarce ever created an en-
envy from the whole fher acquaintance, was
the roboer. was not harbored by her friends.
On the contrary, they feared that some ca
lamity had befallen her, and all ieit anxious
for her safety.
Durinethehubbub and confusion caused by
the disappearance of Helen and the money
chest, Obadiah took occasion to leave MIR.
Ruggles,' without leaving word where he
had gone or why he went His absence was
very little noticed by the family, their atten-
lion being entirely engrossed with the mystic
riOus disappearance of Helen and the money
chest.
concluded merit neck.