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

and we must either keep her here, where
some one will be obliged to watch her con-
stantly, or despatch her at once"
This sentence was intermngled with
horrid oaths and imprecations, at intervals
Of every few words, plainly eyncing the val
ne they set upon the life Of fellow being.
We'll Pm of opinion chimed in fourth
voice, which has been introduced in the
foregoing chapters, in the character Of Mr..
RuggIes' servant Obadiah who had not en-
tirely forgotten the Yankee dialect which
he had practised during his term of service
with MIR. Rugges, that we may as well tend
10 that are chest first, and settle the other
matter afterwards
Aye, Aye sounded every voice, in per-
feet unison, through the assembly, with the
exception of the Captain, the chest first,
the chest first
The Captain, seeing that they were all
against him, proceeded at once to open the |
chest. All eyes were turned eagerly to-
wards it, as the lid was slowly removed,
with the exception of Obadiah, who stood
careless spectator, knowing the exact
amount which it contained.
"A paper the first thing uttered the Cap
tain with horrible oath, as the chest was
fairly opened.
That's his will, that's his will, hurriedy
exclaimed Obadiah The Captain was
about 10 open it, but he was soon checked
by the clamor of the chest first He was,
therefore, much against his own inclination,
obliged TO have the paper for the present
laid upon the table, The counting and
dividing of the money occupied some time
during which each one watched his own
share as it was piled up before him with
demoniac grin of pleasure on his counte-
nance. This done, and their respective
shares slowed away, they all gathered round
the table, and after making free with the
contents Of the bottles, sat down to examine
the will
AS i've exclaimed the Captain, after
hurriedly glancing his eyes over the dOcu-
ment, before him, the old devils land
property is all willed to-to-to-my God
can it be possible, and raising his voice TO
higher key, he inquired the name Of the
girl in the other apartment. No one could
answer, for no one knew except Obadiah,
who was then busy slowing away his treas
ure in another part of the cave. He then
inrned In the surprised audience and inform
ed them that nothing farther would be done
that night in regard TO the will, and intma-
ted that il was time for them TO retire.
This notice was received with evident dis
satisfaction by the gang, but as they were
all sworn to obey the inunctions of their
leader, they soon with some little grumbling
retired, leaving Captain Arson sitting alone
by the table deeply lost in thought, and evil
IDENTITY rejecting upon some painful subject,
! for the color frequently rose to his face, aud
caused his features now and then to relax
their hard and lrownng cast, giving place
TO more mild aud gentle expression of
countenance than he had worn for some
! time.
1T is not impossible muiiered he to him
SELF but that this Helen Arson TO whom the
old man has wilIed his property may be my
daughter, and the girl whom we have cap
tured, and who is now in the cave may be
none other than her.
He bad not seen their captive himself,
and he dared not see her, fearing if she
should prove TO be his daughter, that a sight
of her. would serve only to revive the better
feelings of his heart--feeings that had long
lain dormant, but which we're not entirely
obliterated from his breast, and recall scenes
of former happiness and pleasure, which
could not but be otherwise than painful to
him at present. His curiosity, however, got
the better of his fears, and he took light
and proceeded noiseessy TO the apartment
where Helen was sleeping. He was soon at
the entrance Of the apartment, and raising a
blanket which served the purpose of door,
he stepped lightly III, holding his breath, as
! if in fear Of breaking the silence that reign
ed within the gloomy cave, and disturbing
its almost broken hearted inmate. As he
turned sharp corner of rock that protrud-
ed nearly TO the middle of the apartment, he
saw Just before him, in such position as to
give him full view Of her face, his daugh-
ter, soundly sleeping-the very image of his
almost forgotten and much injured wife,
She sat on low stool, with her head lean
ing on rough table; her hair hung care
lessly over her shoulders. and her cheeks
were yet wet with the tears that had con-
stantly flowed from those dark and beautiful
eyes, since she had become an occupant OF
this dreary and horrible cavern. She had
wept until she had wept herself to sleep
He approached her, holding his hand before
the light, that it might not shine directly in
her face, and awaken her, but she was SO
worn down by fatigue and sorrow, that she
slept soundly and gave no signs of being dis
turbed by his presence. He stood gazing
I intensely upon her features, until sort Of
dreary stupefaction so completely overcame
him, that he appeared to be in trance
Not limb, nor muscle moved The bet
ter feelings of his heart, which had long
been hidden, were aroused, and the past was
fitting before him in painful review. Be