Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-04-11

"No-no," said Matthew, hestatingy.
" have job for you, if you like it,"
"When z"
"To,nEh'" To, e.
This very night"
That is of no consequence. Accompany me
to the end of the street, where a carriage awaits
US, enter it. Submit to be taken whittier / will,
perform the service require, and ere daylight
shall dawn, you may return one hundred dollars
richer than you now are"
But the service, what is it y
Ask me no questions. Will you have the
money :"
Matthew reflected; he was very poor; he con-
sented.
go on, will follow you"
Enough" responded the stranger, and Mat
thew Farran instantly fell behind the man, who
led the way in direction directly opposite to that
which pointed to his own domicil.
Arriving at the end of the street, the second
stranger joined them, the trio entered the carriage
which stood waiting. Matthew suffered himself
to be blindfolded and the vehicle rolled away
rapidly, the cabinet maker knew not where. The
pavemant was left behind the vehicle emerged
upon a soft road, and at the end of nearly half an
hour, it halted, ascended steep hill, apparently,
and then stopped altogether.
The steps were let down. the inmates alighted,
at four O'clock" and Matthew heard the vehicle
turn from the door again. They entered, passed
through long hall, up flight of stairs, across a
narrow passage and then down half dozen
steps, and then after winding through several
apartments they descended once more, and finally
entered a room where they came TO stand. The
door closed, locked, and barred on the inside,
and the bandage was removed from Matthew's
face. He was not little alarmed to find himself
in total darkness, while his arms were being held
by men evidently on each side of him. The ST.
ence was suddenly broken, however, by the voice
which he recognized as the voice Of the man who
accosted him originally in the street.
Now, Matthew Farran," said the speaker,
"you have agreed to perform all the service
claim at your hands, and for which you will re-
ceive the sum of one hundred dollars. Before
you begin your work you must swear to be faith
full to preserve the matter as secret"
Matthew promised-for he found that the tempt
ing offer OF hundred dollars for single nights
work, had drawn him into a position from which
he would gladly escape. But it was too late TO
retract Matthew's promised secrecy, and moment
afterwards light was struck, and the mechanic
behsld on either side of him an entire stranger,
so far as appearance went, in spite Of their SEEM
ing familiarity with his name and profession -
Each man held pistol in his hand, and in the
farther end Of his apartment the cabinet maker
saw pile of rubbish, lumber, tools, bricks, &C.,
and also what seemed large canvass bag, filled
with he knew not what.
"You see, Matthew" continued his guide, we
are prepared for emergencies. Now, proceed TO
business. Here are materials and tools in profu-
sion. In the bag yonder is enclosed human
body"
"A what.''
Hush, man and remember your promise. In
that bag lies enveloped human form"
lis he dead !' asked Matthew wildly.
Ssh! You are to ask no questions. Make
box from the lumber yonder, deposit the body
IN it, and then you must bear it to the river close
BY"
You must" continued the other, cooking his
pistol, and placing the muzzle of it close to Mat
thew's cheek, " or you must join him, and we will
box you up together What do you say1"
obey" muttered poor Farren, submissively.
Here is your hundred dollars. In two hours
we shall return-when all shall be in readiness )"
and the masked villains left their victim alone TO
perform his work. The door was locked behind
them, and Matthew at once surveyed the premises.
In vain did he search for egress. He reflected
that he was in the hands of desperate men-and
in self defence he at last commenced his frightful
job, which he finally bethought him were best
done quickly, since it must be done at all. he
drew forth a board glanced at the long narrow
bag shuddered moment, and then commenced.
Scarcely had he placed the saw on the edge of
the lumber, when he thought he heard his name
mentioned.
The mechanic faltered, the perspiraton coursed
down his cheeks, he listened, he halted-for he
plainly heard whispers low, stifed, cautious
whisper" Matthew !" hist Matthew Farran,"
and the saw fell from the Mechanics hand, as
he gazed wildly about him, utterly at loss to COM
prehend the matter.
Matthew, come here !" continued the fiiehtful
whisper again. and Farran approached the corner
where laid the canvas bag, though the sweat rolled
from his forehead, his knees tottered, and his
breath had well nigh deserted him.
.'In Gods name. What-where-who speaBs!"
"Me, Matthew. me here in the bag-hst!"
Matthew approached little nearer, and finally
his wits, which had momentarily deserted him, re-
turned, and he saw how it must be. The villains,
whoever they were, had attempted murder, he
thought, and had not succeeded But he had little
time for reflection.
" Rip open the bag, Matthew My hands are
tied rio it open, and iii help you to make the oox
quick! Mathew, there's no time to lose, quick =
and Farran very quickly applied the chisei to the
seams, and had the satisfaction OF seeing i've