The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-06-28


had met with. Stones and earth were
not its only ingredients, but the foreign
substances, which they found in great
abundance, seemed to indicate that in
times gone by an immense sinking had
suddenly happened in that place.
The work was not difficult The mi
ner loosened large masses of earth
and stone by single blow of his pick.
All of sudden, very large mass,
which had nothing to support it, slid
down, gas escaped from the aperture
which it left, it took fire, and while it
was burning, what was the astonlsh-
ment of the miners to see descending
by the light, young man to appear
ance asleep! His brow was smooth, his
cheeks fresh, even retaining the color
of life; but his eyes and mouth, were
motionless.
They brought out of the mine and laid
upon the ground the cold, damp body of
young nan. His ssindicated other
times ano other fashions. 1t was neat,
and it was easy to believe that he was
arrayed fol holiday. A Golfer was
buried near him. 1t was opened and
found to contain some jewels, golden
cross, a chain, and medallion upon
which cypher was engraved; but time
had probably injured these pledges Of
love, intended perhaps, for some adored
mistress.
The whole village assembled, and
while the miners were making their ex-
aminations, the authorities were lost In
conjecture, and each inhabitant sought
in his memory, but in vain. for some
means of ascertaining who the young
man was; but all in vain.
Mggaretm cried a young woman.
with .one which spoke astonishment,
at the SIGHT of a good old dame who
was coming up with painful effort to-
wards the immense crowd, who were
anxiouslv awaiting an explanation of
the mystery,
MAKE room for Margaretw cried
many of The people at the same time.
The good old woman made all haste
to reach the group, where the author
tiles and masters were collected.
She paid no attention whatever to
the crowd, and scarcely thanked those
who stood aside for her to pass. Her
countenance, ordinarily-pale, assumed
an unwonted color her eyes sparkled,
and it was apparent something uncom-
mon was agitating her. She throws
herself down, and falls upon her knees
before the dead body she did not shud-
der.
!" Peter!n she cried. and with her
hands, weak and emaciated by age, she.
fondIed tho face of slrv oUIPs~~Ls-F--AA
her. She pushed aside the moist locks,
and fondly kissed that forehead which
sixty years ago was buried IN the bowels
of the cold earth, and which, had 1t not
been for its untimely burial, would now
have been wrinkled and defaced by
age.
"'Tis Peten" she cried again, "it is
the friend of my childhood, it is my be-
trothedw and tears, seemingly ex,
cited by joy and grief in turn, bathed
her withered cheek | waited for
you,n she cried "Ah, knew should
not die without seeing you again
without embracing you for the last
time"
So many mysteries were then ex-
planned. Poor Peter! He had wished
10 surprise his bride, and without doubt
had hidden the presents which he IN
tended for her, not far from the spot
where ne usually labored.
How horrible must his long agony
have been-how terrible the fate! He
went back in his thoughts to the midst
of the merriment which was in honor
of himself, he thought of his dismayed
bride, of his father, of his mother. But
he was destined to see them no more
his last groan was unheard by them, ne
was stihed-smothered,-an a whole
mountain lay over him.
Margaret had truly said, Twill wait
for your return.n She was unable to
survive the violent emotions which the
discovery cost her She breathed her
last with the name of PETER on her lips;
but when she made her vow, little did
she think that the nuptial bed would be
the cold coffin boards, and that her
lovers hand would not be clasped again
in hers till he had closed his eyes for
ever.