The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-09-13

on which We have already agreed; ana u
lin few weeks--in few days--perhaPs
~ should be in danger of-may God avert
such an evl!' he added, interrupting him
seIE--sremember only to say those few
words, .sSpeak but lil,ler that will suffice. !"
While hesthus whispered his wishes TO
his conidept; the physician was engaged
in conversation with the bald headed man
whom we before noticed standing in the
corner. This latter now approached the
sick mans couch; and as the restless suf-
ferer turned from his friend, he beheld this
pale and sinister countenance bending
over bis pillow, and heard this voice, more
harsh than sorrowful, saying to him. almost
without preamble, "Neither prayers nor
remedies can longer avail you aught; you
must prepare yourself to die in a holy man.
ner, as all good Christians should do. The
event is inevitable and probably near at
hand. II is to me painful duty to an
nounce it 10 you. as it is doubtless to you
painful task to"-The DYING man, with
a shudder, turned in his bed. His eyes
were haggard: his lips compressed with
rage; and he darted upon the speaker such
look Of concentrated fury and despair,
that he caused him to pause in his speech.
A moment of awful silence ensued, which
the sufferer was the first to break.
Il am not yet," said he, ssfallen SO low
as you seem to think. Besides, had ! only
two moments 10 live, here | am the master,
and can still punish whatsoever has dared
TO disobey me, and to dispute my will
Yes! swear it. ON my SOULS salvation,
among these now present it is not | who
shall be the first to die!'' As he thus spoke
he raised to his lips small silver whistle
which hung suspended near his bed. The
monk laid his hand upon his arm, and said
in a voice which was still firm, though ex-
pressive Of deep emotion, "And God! the
Almighty God do you forget that soon, very
soon, You may be standing before Him?"
"God will grant me absolution, father,
and SO will you; for il is an act of justice
which ] am about to accomplish. This
man has many crime TO answer for"
''Sinner?' replied the monk in tone Of
deep earnestness. sit is God alone who has
right to be swift 10 executing his judy
ments! The Justice Of man should be slow,
for he is blind and liable to err. Retract
what you have said; if not, neither from
God nor from me can you hope to receive
absontion
The dying man listened in gloomy ST.
lence aud after moment Of reflection, re-
piled in voice which was more suhdued
than before, but which yet betrayed il-sup-
pressed passion, Sand this oath on which
have my salvation: this oath! cannot
break il without risking my share in the
JOYS Of paradise" And raising himself
with much effort, he exclaimed in a reso-
lutte tone, This oath!l will fulfil it; ought
to do so, and shaHr' The monk had fall
en- upon his knees with his hands clasped
his companions gathered around the couch
with an air OF supplication. The proposed
victim alone, the man with the bald head,
stood immovable, his countenance impassa-
BILE, and seeming y prepared to brave the
danger. And yet it was evident that he
was well aware Of the imminence Of the
peril. His dealh-like paleness, and the
cold dew which hung upon his brow, proved
tina, his cal,nness proceeded rather from
terror than from resignation. The expi-
ring man fixed upon bin an eye whose ex-
pressons was that Of power and malignity.
II hive sworn" he exclaimed, shat among
the living beings in this room shall not be
the first whose breath shall fail" Then
pointing towards the corner where the poor
grey hound Law crouching on bis bed, he
said 10 an authoritative tone, ''rake that
dog and let him be put to death this mo-
meut." The man with the bald head did
not wait for the order to be repeated a
second time, but taking club which hung
against the wall, he struck the dog violently,
bu, with an uncertain hand. The unfortu-
nate animal howled piteously, and was
struck three times before he received his
death blow.
"Good heavens! how be makes him suf-
ferw exclaimed the dying sportsman as he
sank backwar on bis bed, his countenance
betrayng at the same time an unwonted
degree Of emotion.
any son. said the hermit, seven the
death of this dog is an act Of guilt which
you must expiate by speedy repentance"
III God reckons the death oftkis animal
among my sins, what nav not then ex-
pect?' inur,nured the sufferer in feeble
voice. "Ofthis sin, father, do indeed re-
pent; for loved this poor dog. We had
often been companions together in the
chase; and cared SO much for him, that
have had him nursed here under my own
eyes. have at least this conviction with
regard to him, he is the only being amongst
those lives have taken away who never
once offended me. As an expiation Of
my offence, desire that his form may be
scolptured upon my--you understand me?
Yes sculp,ured in marble, and placed by
my side. Now father, receive my confess
ion"
From that moment the thought Of death
no longer seemed to press upon the mind