Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1846-08-06
BY WASHINGTON IRVING.

BY WASHINGTON IRVING.
There was once upon time poor mason
or bnck-layer, in Grenada, who kept all Saint.
days and holydays, and Saint Monday into the
bargain, and yet, with all his devotion, he grew
poorer, and could scarcely earn bread for his
numerous family One night he was reused
from his first sleep BY knocking a, his door
! He opened il, and beheld before him tall,
measre, cadaVerous-looking priest.
liark ye, homes, friend said the stranger,
Il have observed ha, YOU are good Christian,
and one 10 be trusted: will you undertake a job
this very night'' p
with all my heart, Senor Padre, on cond.
lion that am paid accordingly
That you shall be; but you mus, suffer your
self to be bIindfolded.'
To this the mason made no objection; so, be-
ing hoodwinked, he was led by the priest thro'
various lanes and winding passages, until they
stopped before the portal Of house The
priest then applied key, turned creaking
lock- and opened wha, sounded like ponder.
Gus door. They entered, the door was closed
and boiled. and the mason was conducted lhro'
an echoing corridore and spacious hall, 10 an
interior part OF the building. Here the bandage
was taken from his eyes, and he found himself
in patio, or court, dimly lighted by single
lamp. In the centre was the dry basin of an
old Moorish fountain, under which The priest
requested him TO form small vault-bricks and
mortar being a, hand for The purpose. He ac.
cordingly worked all night. but withou, finish
ing the job. Just before day-break the priest
PCT piece of gold into his hand, and having
again blindlolded him, conducted him again TO
his dwelling.
Are you wiling said he, 80 return and
complete your work p
Gladly, Senor Padre-provided l am so
well paid
We'll. then, tomorrow, a, midnight, will
call again
He did so-and the vault was completed.
Now, said the priest, you must help me TO
bring forth the bodies that are TO be buried in
The vault
The poor mason's hair stood on his head al
these words: be followed the priest with trem-
bling Steps into retired chamber of The man
sion, expecting TO behold some ghos,ly spec,a-
Gle of death, but was relieved on perceivng
three or four porlly jars standing in one corner.
They were evidently full Of money, and it was
with great labor that he and the priest carried
them forth and consigned them TO their Iomb
The vault was then closed, The pavement re-
placed and all traces of the work obiiteraled
The mason was again hoodwinked, and led
forth by route different from that which he
had come. After they had wandered for long
time through perplexed maze of lanes and al
leys, they halted. The priest then pu, Two
pieces of gold into his hand
Wait here said be, until you hear The
Cathedral bell toll for mathis. If you presume
to uncover your eyes before tina, time, evil will
betdil you; so saying he departed.
The mason waited faithfully, amusing him.
self by weighing The gold pieces in his hand.
ahd cnking them against each other. The
momen, the cathedral bell rang lis ma,in peal,
be uncovered his eyes, aud found himself on
be bauks of the Zenil, from whence he made
the best oil his way home. and revelled with his
family for whole fortnight on the two nights
work after which he was as poor a. ever
lie continued TO work liule and pray good
deal, aud keep Saints days and holidays, from
year to year, while his family grew up as gaunr
and ragged as crew of eypsies. As he was
seated one evening a, the door of his hovel, he
was accosed by rich old curmudgeon, who
was noted for owning many houses, and being
a g'iring !oudlord. The man Of money eyed