Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-06-30
FOUR JARS OF GOLD.
BY WASHINGTON IRVING.

There was once upon time poor ma
son, or bricklayer, in Grenada, who kept all
the saints days and holidays, and Saint Mon
day into the bargain, and yet with all his
devotion, he grew poorer and poorer, and
could could scarcely earn bread for his nu-
merous family. One night he was reused
from his first sleep BY knocking at his
door. He opened it,aRd beheld before him
a tall, meagre, cadaverous looking priest.
"Hark ye, honest friend!" said the sran-
ger, 81 have observed that you are good
Christian and one tosbe trusted; will you
undertake job this very nighti''
"With all my heat, Senior Padre, on con
dtion that am paid accordingly"
"That you shall be; but you must suffer
yourself to be blndfoded."
To this the mason made no objections; so
being hoodwinked, he was led by the priest
through various rough lanes and winding
passages. until they stopped before the por-
tai of house. The priest then supplied a
key, turn ng creaking lock opened what
sounded like ponderous door. They en-
tered, the door was closed and boiled, and
the mason was conducted through an echo
ing corridor, and spacious hall, to an in
terror part of'he building Here the ban
dage was removed from his eyes, and he
found himself in patio, or court, dimly
lighted by single lamp. In the centre
was the dry basin Of old Moorish fountain,
under which the priest directed him 10 form
small vault, bricks and mortar being at
hand for the purpose. He accordingly
worked all night, butswithout finishing The
| lob. Just before day break the priest put a
piece of gold in his hand, and having again
| bindfolded him, conducted him back 10 his
dwelling.
"Are you willing" said he, to return and
complete your work."
''Gadly, Senior Padre-provided am
so well paid.
'"WeI then, to morrow, at midnight |
will call again"
He did so-and the vault was compile.
| ted
"Now,' said the priest, you must help
me bring forth the bodies that are TO be bur-
led in The vault"
The poor masons hair ros on his head at
these words; he followed the priest with
trembling steps, into IA chamber Of the man.
sion, expecting to behold some ghas,ly
spectacle Of death, but was relieved on per-
ceiving three or four porly jars eansidgrl
one corner. They were evidentle esii0sl
money, and it was with great effort that he
and the priest carried them 10 their tomb
The vault was then closed, the pavement
replaced, and all traces Of the work obliter-
ated. The mason was again hoodwinked
and led forth by arou;e different from thai
BY which he had come. After they had
wandered for a long time through a per-
picked maze of lanes and.alleys, they halt
ed. The priest then put.l&o pieces of gold
INTO his hand:-
"Wait' hep," said he, "untl you hear
tie calhedral bell toll for mathis. If you
presume TO uncover your eyes before that
time, evil will befal you," so saying, he de-
parted.
The mason waited faithfully, amusing
himself by weighing the gold pieces in his
hand and clinking them against each other.
The moment the cathedral Gell rang its
malin peal, he uncovered his eyes, and
found himself on the banks Of the Zenil from
whence he made the best of his way home,
and RECALLED with his family for Il whole
fortnight on the profits Of his two nights
work; after which he was as poor as ever.
. he continued TO work a little and pray
a good deal. and keep Saints days and hol-
idays from year TO year while his family
grew up as gaunt and ragged as crew Of
gipsies. As he was seated one evening al,
the door OF his hovel, heMas accosted by
rich old curmudgeon, who was noted for
owning many houses, and being "a gripping
landlord. The man o: money eyed him for
moment from beneath a pair OF anxious
lshagsvNreyebrows.
IL am told, friend, that you are very
poor"
"There is no denying Of the fact Senior
it speaks for ITSELF"
~ presume ,hatyoal would be glad of a
Job, and will work cheap"
',As cheap my master as any mason IN
Granada"
"That's what | want. have an old
house fallen into decay, that cost me more
than 1t is worth 10 keep II in repair, for no.
body will live in IT; so must contrve 10
patch it up at as small expense as pos
sible."
The mason was accordingly conducted 10
large deserted house that seemed going
to ruin. Passing through several empty
halls and chambers, he entered an inner
court, where his eye was caught by an old
Moorish fountain. He paused for mo-
mont, for dreaming recollection of the
place distinctly came over him.
spray" said he, "who occupied this house
formeryw
ga pest upon himm cried the landlord,
"it was an old miserly priest, who cared for
nobody but himself He was said 10 be
immensely rich, and, having no relations,
it was thought he would leave all his. teas
ures to the church. He died suddenly,and
the priests and fiiars thronged 10 take pos
session of his wealth, but nothing could they
find but few ducats in a leathern purse
The worst luck has fallen on me, for since
his death, the old fellow continues 10 occu
ply my house without paying rent, ant
there's no taking the law of dead man.
The people pretend TO hear the cllrking oil
gold all night in the chamber where the ole
priest slept, as i he was counting over his
money, and sometimes moaning about The
court Whether true or false, these stories
have brought bad name on my house. ant
not a tenant will remain in H. y