The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-22

"'A tilCtIl W lIlSlI lOtIlUs-
The vault was then closed, the pave
ment replaced, and all traces of the
work obliterated. The mason was
again hoodwinked and led forth by a
route different from that by which he
had come. After they had wandered
for long time through a perplexed
maze of lanes and alleys, they halted.
The priest then put two pieces Of gold
into his hand
swat here," said he, ''unt you hear
the cathedral bell toll for mathis. If
youpresume to uncover your eyes be-
fore that time, evil will befal you;" so
saving he departed.
The mason waited faithfully, amusing
himself by weighing the gold pieces in
his hand, and clinking them against each
other. The moment the cathedral bell
rang its matin peal, he uncovered his
eyes, and found himself on the banks of
the Aenil, from whence he made the
best of his way home, and revelled with
his family for a 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 good deal, and keep Saints days
and holidays, from year to year, while
his family grew up as gaunt and rag
ged as crew Of gipsies. AS he was
seated one evening at the door of his
hovel, he was accosted by rich cur
mudgeon, who was noted for owning
many houses, and being a gripping land
lord. The man of money eyed him for
IA moment from beneath pair of an
xious shagged eyebrows.
81 am told friend that you are very
poor"
"There is no denying the fact, Senor;
it speaks for itself"
81 presume that you will be glad of a
JOB, and work cheap"
"As chelp, my master as any mason
IN Granada"
"That's what | want. | have an old
house fallen into decay, that cost me
more money than it is worth to keep it
in repair, for no body will live in it; so
must contrive to patch it up at as
small an expense as possible"
The mason was accordingly conduct
ed to large deserted house that SEEM
ed going to ruin. Passing through sew
eraI empty halls and chambers, he en-
entered an inner court where his eye
was caught by an old Moorish fountain.
He paused for a moment, for dream
ing recollection of the place very dis
tinctly came over him.
"Pray, who occupied this house for
merly," said he.
"A pest upon him." cried the land
lord, "it was an old miserly prlest who
cared for no body but himself. He
was said to be Immensely rich, and.
having no relations it was thought he
would leave all his treasures to the
church. He died suddenly and the
priests and friars thronged to take pos
session Of his wealth but nothing could
they find but few ducats in leathern
purse. The worst luck has fallen to
me. for, since his death, the old fellow
continues to occupy my house without
paying rent, and there's no taking the
law of a dead man. The people pre-
tend to hear the clinking of gold all
night in the chamber where the old
priest slept, as ifhe were counting over
his money, and sometimes groaning
and moaning about the court. Wheth-
er true or false, these stories have
brought bad name on my house, and
not tenant will remain in it,"
"Enough,' said the mason, sturiily;
let me live in your house rent free un-
til some better tenant present, and
will engage to put it in repair, and quiet
the troubled spirit that disturbs it.
am good christian and poor man,
and am not to be daunted by the devil
himself. even though he should come in
the shape Of a big bag Of money!"
The offer OF the honest mason was
gladly accepted; he moved with his fam
lily into the house and fulfilled all his
engagements. By little and little he
restored 1t to its former state; the clink.
ing of gold was no more heard at night
in the chamber of the defunct priest,
but began to be heard by day in the
pocket Of the living mason. In word,
he increased rapidly in wealth, TO the
admiration of.al his neighbors, and be-
came one of the richest men IN Grana-
,da; he gave a large sum TO the church,
by way, no doubt, ofsatisiyIng his con-
science, and never revealed the secret
ofthe vault until on his death-bed 70 his
son and heir. ~ i
!, Imaginary evils make no small part