The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1847-06-25
WHOLE NO. $50.

oi my ialher. We were all his children, and
our mother had perished at our birth. Oh!
had she died eIe | livedl was haunted, al
most from childhood, by an evil demon.--
Yes, it tormented me day by day; contnu-
ally that low whisper sounded in my ear,
like the prompting of my own heart-'The
days of mourning for my father are at hand;
when shall slay my brother' Those days
came. Henry Merville had been but few
fieeting months in the enjoyment Of his
wealth, when he perished by poison. The
decd was mine.
"Old man, you were upon the jury. Yes!
you were one of those who brought in a
verdict of"Wilful Murder" against an inno-
cent lad--a boy when my brother had taken
out Of CHARITY. Imyselfstrewed the hate
ful powder in his chest; swore 10 the quar-
reis between my two victims. knew the
poor boy had said before Witnesses that he
would have reckoning with his MASTER
He was conference.-the was hanged; and I
was above suspicion!
Persuaded that the last was necessary
sacrifice in selEdofence, strove to lul nv
conscience in a golden cradle. was mag
ter of wealth, and all wealth could obtain. -
Friends thronged around me; but the sight of
ny home-of the scenes of my crime
was hideous 10 me. | sold all possessed
in Liverpool, and went to the Continent
Then you lost sight ofme. heard on ev-
cry side praises Of the tender brother, who
could not be happy where he was reminded
Of his loss! left England, and plunged in
to the distractions of the French capital.
hired chateau near Paris Brilliant were
the saloons of the English stranger. The
young, the immaculate, the cultivated, were
mingled with the dssolute and the lawless;
for pleasure was the great end of life. /
livedin round of excitement; and not
year had flown since my brothers. death ere
The reproaches ofconscence were drowned
in the tumut Of dissipation. Love, with all
the delirium of passion had seized upon my
heart. | would have plunged my dagger in
TO thousand breasts to win one smile from
Matilde.
-"Matilde sat near mo at the banquet 1t
was late, and the clamor Of the guests had
died away. All save a few had Departed
Soft and bewldering music foated on The
air. The slken tapestry waved in the cool
night breeze; the moon looked in upon tho
scene and paled the !amp-ight, as if she
claimed the right to preside over the hour
sacred 10 lovers.
"'The cup is consecrated by thy lip, fair
est Malilde,' cried l.; Il drink from ITS rim tho
delicious poison that turks in every smile of
Ihine!'
esoul-the word awakened an echo,
and, reckless as l was, started in alright
Whence it came knew not. None heard it
bat myself; for Matildo smiled. Her hand
was extended 10 receive the cup. Suddenly
she drew back, terrified at my wild looks,
and gazed axiously about her. All! what
horror was in my thoughts! Like a sudden
flash of light came the recollection that it
was the anniversary of Henrys death It
was the very hour had seen him lift The fatal
goblet 10 his lips! Ere Maiilde could chide-
me for the supposed joke that had startled
her, saw hand grasp the offered cup
My brother stood before me, clothed as had
last seen him! He looked around the hall,
set down the cup ON the table, and fixed his
eyes upon me. Then he stepped slowly be
tween us. | sank to the ground in swoon
When consciousness returned, found my
self surrounded by my servants Were my
guests all gone?-No; but | had been car
red 10 my chamber.
"Heedless of everything but my safety,
Maiilde had remained at my house. The
state-chamber was preparedtor her. Itwas
morning, and | resolved to visit her at her
toilet. The madness of the previous night
could nothave departed; for scarce had the
idea occurred 20 me than it was Instantly act
ed upon. had myself dressed hastily, and
sent my servant 10 announce my coming to
Madame do B. In vain the attendant en-
deavored to dissude mel listened not to
what he said. In impatient mood hurried
to the chamber. entered
snatched asunder the bed.curtains, and saw
not Ma,lde-but my brothers. corpse!
"That the sight did not madden me at
nceis truly a miracle. But my reason sur
sived the shock. / was even, after some
lime, alive TO fear of the consequences,
should the body be discovered Icaused it
10 be buried at night in the the consecrated
GROUND of neighboring abbey. By hasty
lght to Italy, escaped all inquiries; and
he last days of Louis XIV. we're too full Of
in public affairs for the public leng
o concern ilselfabou, the fate of an individual.
"During the next year, lived in hamlet
It the foot of Vosuyius. had wandered
trough Italy. treeabled at the near ap-
roach of the fatal day, and sought scene
fdesolation for such tragedy. There had
'een an eruption of the volcano just before;
nd vineyards and villages had been swept to
was in the midst OF people
Who, living in constant fear for their lives
....,ll k, al,