The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-05-16

Taking an affectionate leave of her
Kate, she set out on her journey. the
object of which she kept profound
secret. A few days brought her to its
termination 1t was the close of dark
November evening when she came in
sight of the old mansion-house of Pallas,
the object Of her tolls and hopes. With
agitated steps she FASTENED ON, regard
less of danger, crossed the rapid stream,
swollen with the rains of the season,
that flowed at the foot of the eminence
on which the house was situated, and
soon arrived at the door, which, in Ire
land, is ever cheerfully opened to the
wanderer Her age, the inclemency
of the night all served her for a pass
port
She had not been seated by the
brightly blazing turf fire, when her
scrutinizing eye was caught by stone
in one corner of the kitchen-just such
a stone, and in the precise situation of
that which she had seen in her dream,
and beneath which the hidden treasure
had been deposited ever since the time
of the Danes; for that is the period to
which all secret stores of this kind is
ascribed. Amazed and awe-struck at
the prospect of the speedy fulfilment of
her dream, she joined not in the in
nocent m;Fth and the tales of fear and
wonder with which the happy circle of
dependents beguiled the long evening
after the tolls of the day. Conceiving
that her silence was occasioned by
fatigue, they pressed her to take refresh
ment. and then left her to her own
thoughts, and undisturbed to form plans
for gaining possession of her treasure.
The voices of the spinners, with the
soft hum of their wheels, which had
seemed to sing lullaby to the storm,
had long ceased, and were succeeded
by the harsh voice of the wind, touch
ing every note of discord, from the
shrill. wild whistle to the loud, awful
blast which spoke of danger. The
remains of the cheerful fire now only
threw dim uncertain light on objects
to render them fearful from their indis-
tinctness; and thus it fell on the tall
and spectre-like figure of Biddy Mann,
as she rose from the humble pallet
which had been allotted to her in the
kitchen. With stealthy step she ap-
preached the stone. which resembled
the broken shaft of a small pillar, and
now served the purpose of low seat.
As the kitchen was paved with small
stones, and Biddy was provided with
implements f0R her work. which she
had carried in her bag. there appeared
but little opposition to hrf uudorsakins-,
except the danger of wakening one of
the sleepers in the kitchen.
She commenced her operations with
anxious yet cautious haste Already
had she hared the foundation of the
stone, which she raised with vigorous
effort, but it slipped from her hands,
not, however, before she saw, or thought
she saw, the object of her search, the
antique earthen pot containing the trea-
sure. The loud noise of the fall reused
the sleepers, who started up in alright
with exclamations Of .The Lord save
rs !! The Lord have mercy upon usm-
In a few moments the alarm was gene
raj, and the kitchen was filled with
the males Of the family.
There stood Biddy, the spirit of the
alarm, with an air of desperate de-
to overcome all difficulties.
The state of the stone, the implements
around her, and that which
she held in her hand plainly told the
cause of its disturbance and its author.
The master Of. the house advanced to-
wards her, and in an angry tone in
luired what she was doing. and how
she dared to remove any thing in his
house, Beckoning him to come nearer
and inclining her body. without quitting
her position, she said, Whiskt, alanna;;
send them away; and I'll be after tell
ing you something You will like to
iear.' All the servants, as if struck
with fear, fell back to the further end
# the room, when she whispered -
There's gould, purc gould, under. that
tone it never belonged to you or yours.
alone knew of it; to me alone then it
.elougs. Help the poor widow to. get
| tits night. With a heart and half
III share il with We, and may the Al
mighty pour his blessing on youw
These words were unheard by all
ave the person to whom they were
Her whisper ceased-a
,ause succeeded. A moment Of dark
bought passed over the countenancec d
Ter auditor. and was followed by one
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