The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-04-28
THE SM GGLER IL.

Among the mountains on the frontiers of -, in
Germany, is situated lonely village, inhabi-
ted by poor, though yirtuOus and industrious peo-
pie; now, since it has been thrown into the corner
of kingdom, nest of smugglers and thieves,
with all their vices, have there taken up their
abode, fostered by the lucrative though dangerous
profession that is there pursued. Al that village,
with all the pride of banditti Boosting of their
achievements, they related to HE IA circumstance,
the thought of which makes me shudder.
"Come along said father one evening to his
daughter, girl of thirteen, who had just returned
from the pastor of the village, who giving her
instructions preparatory to confirmation, put on
your thick coat we have some thing to get to-
night. Bid your mother good-by, and beg her to
lay her hand upon yOur head; for cannot tell
whether the Almighty will bring us safe through
the business or not" They set out The wind
blew intensely cold over the hills, and howled
among the trees while low Clouds heavily laden
with snow; sailed slowly over the gray heads of
the naked rocks They proceeded in silence along
an unfrequented mountain path, cambered like
torrent was struggling against the overpowering
force of winter. Lay hold of my belt," whis-
pered the father, as though apprehensive lest the
very air should overhear him, and hold fast; IT'S
not the most pleasant walking here" The girl
trembled with cold and fear, and silently followed
her rough conductor. Stop" he cried all at
once, do you hear nothing Were not those
mems voices -
"No, father-it is the wind blowing through
the pines"
STAND still, then, and listen-those must be
footsteps. | hear them quite plain"
g No, father it is the ice that is bursting in the
abyss, and the water dashng against the rocks.
The old man, wrapped in a gray surtout, clapped
his ear 10 the side of the rock TO listen, and pres
emily cried, Come on The path was more diff
ficult, and the rocks more abrupt.
Should any misfortune betaI me tonight, my
UirI' and he tell mn
give up the business | have made profitable con-
Germ of it, and should not die content if believed
it would drop with my life. You are now old
enough to lend hand and when you have once
taken the sacrament, you will be able, should
think, to carry on the thing well enough
He then directed her to conceal herself in a
small cavern in the rock. you may eat your
supper there" he observed, " for we are upon
the frontier; and up yonder you would only be in
my way. | will whistle when | come back.
When you hear that sign, look about you and be-
stir YOURSELF
With these words he continued his ascent, and
the half frozen girl crept sobbing into the snowy
Retreat TO say paler noster. Al dizzy depth be-
| low her the torrent roared monotonously; and be-
| fore her, the wind whired the snow in furious
eddies from the rocks She was alone III this
| dreary spot.
| After a while the appointed signal was given, and
| she heard footsteps. Her father came with pack
which he dragged after him.
Here" said he, ''pull it in it s but light, and
| you will have no difficulty. u is worth u good
| round sum, though"
| The pack was deposited in the cavern, and the
| smuggler went back again. The girl, meanwhile
| crouched behind the pack, and rubbed her frozen
| limbs TO warm and keep herself awake. Some
| time again elapsed again whistle was given as
before, and the father returned with another load
He babe her take up the first, and made her go Oh
before him.
Father, hear dogs barking-do Mt you2'
"No, no, child--it is only the wheeling of my
| old lungs
"There, again! | fancy hear something be
| hind us"
go along, girl, and hold your tongue''
| There is something moving behind us, father
| down yonder-do MT you see
| Good God the Sharp-shoOters We are lost
| if we cannot reach the rayine. -
| A dog came up and threatened to seize the man
when, clinging, without other hope of safety to The
| rock, he hurled his pack at the animal which
| tumbled, bowling, together with mass Of snow
| down the precipce. " Give it me- he cried
taking the lighter load from the girl, grasping he
! hand firmly, and dragging her with accelerated
steps down the rocky path Fright deprived he
ofthe of her LIMBS and he dragged her along lk
| dead thing. Destruction pressed closer ant
closer upon their heels. Voices repeatedly cried
" EIalt!" No answer was returned, and the repor
of a piece was reverberated hundred fold by til,
echoes of the mountains. The ball struck the rocl
and dropped at their feet.
Merciiul God 20 calculated the girl" canno
go any farther. Leave me here, father they vii
not murder Inc ~
:. But you will betray me, girl"
No, no, no; leave me here, and make you
escape"
"You will betray me, and bring your father t.
| the gallows. Come, come-aloDg.'
Filled with despair, he raised her from th
ground, and wound, with his twofold burhen
around the ledge of the rock. 1t was to no pur
pose. The Sharp-shooters appeared above and be
low, and the anxiety of the smuggler increase
every instant The girl had sunk down, as if in
animate, and all the efforts of the affrighted fahe
to arouse her were unavailing. Again was hear.
the cry of $ Halt n'-agan the balls whizzed past
and the ministers of the law kept approaching
nearer and nearer. Life or death depended on
single moment. He bent over his child, and caugf
her in his arms. !" So help me God in nv utrnos
need ~ he CALCULATED, and threw her down tn
abyss. The body dashed against the PROJECTING
crags in its descent, and rolled into the torrent be
meath. The pursuers stood aghast at the atrociou
deed, and, overpowered with horror, dropped thei
weapons. The smugger escaped with his pact
and has often visited the same spot on simila
srrand