The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-09-29
- Alas poor Marian, . he sobbed, az,

starve-Marian repeated the young
man, whose astonishment was great "by
all that's good, have sister by that
name, and she OF whom you speak shall
not starve. Tell me, my good man, why
dd you attempt to rob me? You seem
not like a common villain"
Neither am j, said the robber, lifting
his head at the words of the young man.
Then why, | ask again, did you at,
tempt my robbcryp
i will tell you, as you desire it, and
God knows it is al tynth. Two years ago
vase clerk in the employ of II wealthy
influential firm in London. At the man
sion of the junior partner, I one evening
made the acquaintance of beautiful
young lady, daughter Of rich merchant.
Ourintimacy ripened into love- and we be-
came pledged to one another. Thus our
affairs stood, when the father of Marian
became acquainted with the fact, and for
bid me his house. was an humble clerk.
he said, and not a match for her whose af.
tections [ had gained. But the sternness
OF the father altered not the feelings of the
daughter, for in few weeks we effected
an elopement, and then Marian become
my wife.
"Iler father from that moment would
never see her face; and he declared that
not pound of his wealth should ever he
bestowed upon his ungrateful girl. BY
his Vaccinations, also, lost my situation,
and six months since, left the employ of
my hitherto kind benefactor. Oh. GodI
the agony Of mind I have since endured
would have maddencd my brain, had not
my gentle Marian been uppermost in my
thoughts. For many weeks Ihave sought
employment, but could not gain it. Since
yesterday, myself and wife have tasted no
food; and to-day-lIeaven forvive me the
act started from that city determined
to rob. You can see how have succeed
ed; and yet, thank God, you overpowered
me. Had it not been for my wife. would
never attempted this; but | could not see
her starve-I could notr and as he con-
cluded, he again sobbed like child
"Nor shall she" cried the young man
81 know not but You arc playing me false
but can scarcely believe it. Forgive me,
however, if take proper prccaution a
gainst treachery."
AS he spoke, he again mounted his
horse, and bidding his prisoner 90 on be-
FORE they started on their way to London.
Lead me to your own dwelling" he
continued, rs they darted from the spot
land if find you have told me the truth
You shall not suffer-"
"Thank you-thank you!" was all the
overpowered man could reply, and they
proceeded on in silence.
Tho bells of the city were striking the
hour of ten when the two men arrived Mt
the outskirts of London. Dismountinp
from his wearied horse, which he left in
the hands ofthe hostler of humble inn,
the young man followed the f,otsteps OF
the robber, keeping a cautious eve upon
him, lest he should attempt to escape by
darting down one Of the many filthy lanes
in the vicinity. But such thouobt
never entered the breast of the prisoner
Tor he led his captor on through several
streets, till, stopping before n miserable
tenement, whose ancient walls seemed
as ifabout to fall to the ground, he turn
ed and said
This is the place where, for three weeks,
myself and wife have been obliged to re-
main, deprived ofevery comfort, and even
the necessaries oflife. But do not let me
go into the presence of Marian with nv
hands thus bound. For Heavens ,ake,
kind sir, unbind them, for should she see
them thus, she would know that was
a criminal ~
a tear stood in the young mans eye as
he proceeded to do as requested for he felt
that such words could never come from a
guilty and depraved being. Pushing
aside the rickety door as soon as his
hands were free, the poor man entered
the wretched abode, followed by the stran-
ger. Passing through sort of hall,
they came to another door which they
opened, which was lighted but dimly by
ilickering rush-light. A wonan, who
at their entrance, was sitting with her face
buried in her hands, started up, and
sprang to the embrace Of her husband
She noticed not the stranger; but, as she
welcomed he' husband, she asked in a
trcmulous voice