Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-04-30

horuoe--Oh, he's horrihlei-thougla ssirod he
mis-r. Perhaps he was about 70 diei
"Diel diel Oh. noi What, leave dl--alf
Ny gold. Die, nol" and the miserable wr,tsh
groaned end shrieked in ssOny.
The sun was near its setting, (althouQh No
cheerful beam everpeneIfaIed Ihere,l when Ca,h.
urine knocked al the door. The old man recogs
nizsd the sound, and putting forth ell his strength,
Tor despair lent him en0rgy, he enSled from The
bed aud loiiered 10 the door. With difficulty hs
turned the key and Withdrew the bolls then sank
back exhausted upon the floor. Caihurns
screamed with terror when she saw the situation
OF her poor old grandfather.
"hush, hush,' gasped the old man, "they will
hear shut The door, ehild-shut the door"
Trembling in every limb. she did 50, and thea
exeriing oil her strength, she assisted hlm once
more 10 bed.
Dear grandfather, you are very Ill; let me 20
for physician"
"No, no." replied the old man, family, ,"po. no,
give me waterl | am burning-wsier. water.
child Let me sleep, don't leave me, don'tleays
me, don't leave poor old man. No doctor-no
doctor, child; they will want money, and where
should get money!" So saying, his head sank
back upon the pillow, and his eyes closed as il
in sleep.
And poor Caihariar was left alone in thar Rloo.
my, dssolate room, by the bedside Of the old man.
Every object was soon shfouded in darkness;
thsre was no fire, no candle, and so tightly did
the sleeper clasp her hand, that she dared not
move 10 light one, lest she might awaken him.
At first all fears we're overcome by anxiety, bus
at length strange and undefnable terrors seized
upon her. Her eyes wandered fearfully around,
she felt her blood chill, her limbs trembled, and
with difficulty she kept herself from fainting.-
Suddenly this dcath-Iike stiffness was disturbed.
Caiharne imagined she heard noise at the door!
nor was she mistaken; the lock was gently turn.
ed; the door opened, and was as gently closed.
She tried 10 scream, but all Wterance failed her,
She heard footsteps stealing softly towards tho
bed; they stopped by her side, and the breath Of
a man fell upon her cheek, as some one stopped
over the body of the old man.
"By heavens! Bill, the old fellow breathes
yell" said voice, 10 low whisper.
80 much the worse for him. but, come, give
US a light. Quick, quick! let's see what's 70 be
DONE"
He had hardly done speaking when a bright
light flashed from the lantern which the other car.
RED, and its rays fell full upon the pale counte-
nance of the poorgrl. Therufians started back
in amazemenI and terror, then glancng hurried
ly around, TO see if there was any other person in
the room, and finding this young girl the only ono
they should have TO contend with in their horri.
bic design, they soon recovered their boldness.
Come, pretty one" said Jake, "just be ques
now, while we overhaul this old gentleman, and
then well attend TO you, for we're in something
Of hurry, you see; no screaming, my beautyj
| hate screaming; be quiet and amuse yourself
with our sport"
"Stop, stop, Jake" interrupted the olher, "you
are too civil by half better take care Of the girl
frst," feeling for his knife as he spoke, "dead
folks tell no tales"
"An excellen, maxim, comrade," replied Jake,
"but as I'm gentleman, | hate blood as love
a pretty girl! It goes against my conscience to
be uncyil 10 the lass; so excuse me, miss, il |
just Put,hisbil Of covering over ha,pretty mouth.
and this delicate cord around you little wrists
would not hurt you for the world-there, very
good. Now, Miss, allow me to place you in an
other sest," and lifting the shuddering form Of
Catharins in his arms he bore her TO the opposite
side Of the room, and quickly returned 10 tho
bedside Of the unconscious old man.
"How he hangs on Blast me, think the old
fellow liked his broth so we'll, that he begrudged
TO eat il all, else he would have stopped breath be-.
fore this" said Bill. well finish him easily
and quietly; stife him with his own gold, Jake;
he can't complain Of that-ha! hal" so saying
he drew the bolster roughly from the head Of the
old man, which fell back upon the hard bare
boards. The jar aroused the wretched man, he
opened his eyes, and gazed wildly around. His
ghaslly frightened looks we're horrible 10 behold;
he spake not but with open mouth seemed gasp.
ing his last breath.
"Come, old one; If YOU know ever prayer TO
say be quick, for your greedy soul will be inde-
pendent Of your shrivelled body in less than five
minutes" cried Jake. 81 will only detain you
just long enough, if you please, to be informed
where the rest of this same gold may be hidden"
"Gold, gold! good, kind gentlemen,' said the
miser, feebly, after many vain attempts to speak.
"Gold! am poor old man-very poor, gentle"
men; there, don't hurt me-"
"Poor are you! that's what call a-look here,
old bov," and selzing the old man by his feet.
they dragged him 10 the floor, and drawing his
knife, Bill quickly ran it through the tick, and
showered a handful of its riches over the head
Of the miserable man.
ooh, my gold-my goldl Spare my goldl'
he gasped.
"Oh, wel be very tender of your gold, old
gentleman; never fear not piece but shall be-
drowned in cup Of wine. or lost in the kisses
of pretty girl! and now, look here, my boy, as
you didn't seem TO relish your dinner exactly,
we'll send you to upwith your friend down be.
low! Be quiet now, and we'll soon ease you off
but, pray, don't be- uneasy about your gold."
He then seized the old man, and bending his
head back, clasped him tightly around the throat.
In the meantime, forgetting her own fears in
the peril of her grandfather, Catharine, BY de-
grees, managed 10 remove the bandage from her
molnh, and with her teeth loosened the cord
which bound hor wrists. The ruffans were too
busy with their hellish work to notice her. Soft
Iy she stole along the shadow Of the wall and
reached the door. but now what if they should
discover herl Her life must be the sacrificed
Her courage nearly failed her. At that moment