Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-09-29
CHAPTER VIII


--A sfronge bargofa--1rarictous progeu-
10 order that the reader may fully keep pace
with us IN the narration of our story, it is prop
er for us to apprise him atthe very commence
inent OF this chapter that, between the events
which are to follow in this and those we recor-
dcd in our opening chapter, lapse Of nearly
twenty years have flown. The city was not
now what it was when old Ambrose Wngfed
sat under the shade of the Moss Rose roof and
its elm, watching the workmen on the house.
tops away in the distance busy in mailing on
the rattling shingles. Then it was only clus-
ter OF small houses with stump dotted streets
winding among them but now it was a pop
ulous city, with its hundreds of rich mansions.
wide streets nicely paved, bright gas-lamps,
all reaching out as far as where old Ambrose
sat and smoked his pipe, and still on further;
Tor it reached beyond Crazy Nelly's cabin up
to the very edge Of the mountain where the
mysterious cave was found. This was what
the city OF Az was at the time we now
write Of populous trading mart withts gay
circles Of fashion and wealth its many haunts
OF sin and dissipation and IFS thousand cases
OF destituton and misery but it is not our
purpose at present to indite homily upon this.
and we will pass Immediately to the matters
that more particularly engage our attention in
this chapter.
In one Of the city papers was seen the fol-
lowing Advertisement, in the column of wants
We purposely leave out the street and .he num-
Der:
WANTED.-A confidential servant; one in
whom strict confidence can be reposed, will re-
celYe good wages If his manners are found to
be agreeable. One somewhat advanced in
years would be preferred, other things being
equal. Apply to
ALLAN WNGFELD, No, - STREET
AT an early hour, and indeed through the
day, Allan's Office was thronged with applicants
for the service he had advertised for. None
seemed fully TO meet with the wishes Of WING
field and one by one left disheartened and
texed. Late in the day the bell was rung its
hundredth time perhaps, and another applicant
was ushered into the presence of the wealthy
from head to foot by the Keen eyes OF Al
Ian, and was even looked upon with some de-
gree of satisfaction for he came nearer meet
ing with his views than any one who had ia
vored him with previous call. He was a
very smalls man, and somewhat advanced in
years at least forty we should think, perhaps
forty five His dress was composed OF good
fabrics, and made to close and fashionable
fit; his manner was quick and impetuous, and
as hc entered the Office he was neryously
twiring richly wrought gold chain that hung
across his vest his elieminate looking face
was pale and apparently dry and almost blood.
less, and his head was adorned with profu
sion of haEgrey hair that hung over his fore
head in careless manner; there was some
thing about his person. and more particularly
about his keen, flashing, black eye that seemed
TO please Allan, and lie bid him to be seated
Il have called said the stranger, in a shrill
piping voice, at the same time sinking grace
fully into a seat, in obedience to your cal
for confidential servant and if the place
not 6lled shall be happy to serve you
'Tlic place is not filed said Allan, and
hope you will answer my wants but wha
name may know you by, strangerP
Rudolph Levere!' was the answer.
Rudolph Levere Rudolph mutterod A
Ian. cor French extraction, suppose
'Of French was the laconic reply.
You have doubtless travelled a great dea
RudolphP
Some
'Have you relations in this city, Levere ?
All dead ? replied Rudolph taking PIN
Of snuff from a richly ornamented box.
Have you long resided in the city, Levere
Enough to know its streets and alleys aft
night
Do you know many of The inhabitan
Levere ?
As many as served my business
Pray what was your business-a servant
Pardonnez, Monsieur, that's my secret, 5;
Rudolph, putting on a cunning look, at
same time rubbing his eyes with white loC
ing ointment and fixing pair of gold spec
cles on his slender nose.
Secret exclaimed Allan, starting to
feet rs il terrified at the searching look of
lacohc Frenchman, have you q secret {
can you keep p
Rudolph sprung to his feet at the same Ii
Allan did, and in answer to his last interro
tion significantly slapped his hand onhis nor
and then on his breast as a sufficient ansv
Allan was pleased-he was determined
avail himself of the services of the Frenchu
if further trial satisfied him as well as he
ticipated. He went to his desk and took
apen, ink and paper at the same time sayi
Can you write, Levere p
TRY me- was the reply.
The writing materials were placed be
him and rs he took the pen he looked
querist full in the eyes and said
What shall write 2
"A secret said Allan, initiating the lac
style OF his proposed servant.
Levere bent himself over the paper to
proof Of his photographic skill. He handed
paperto Allan with the secret written in a qU
and beautiful style, simply saying as he {
so
sThere's the city's secret
Allan's eyes were fixed upon it and char
with its mystery The secret the str
Frenchman had written was this:
THE CAVE OF SKULLS
Allan Wing6eld gazed for some minute
tently upon the line before him, if c
zing every letter and then, when he raise
eyes from the paper, he met the twinkling
of the little Frenchman flashing through
glasses then over them and seemed to be
Of mischievous secrecy but they moved
from the scrutinizing gaze of Allan, but
finued bent upon him until he turned tC
side and laid away the writing, saying
done SO