New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-03-27
NUMBER IL.

art, but as the hated object who stood between
himself and fortune
There is no tempest 30 fearful as the tempest
OF passion; no whirlwind so devastating as the
WhirlWind OF evil thoughts. Hour after hour
dld Andrea sit brooding over his dark and half
imagined scheme of guilt, unconscious of tie
lapse OF t1ine when the voice of Domenico, sum
monlng him to his usual evening walk, aroused
him. He hastily answered that he was engaged
in designing and could not be disturbed. Dome
nico, accustomed to the wayward moods Of his
friend, bade him good night. and departed.
As the sound of Domenico's footsteps struck
upon his ear, Andrea arose and throwing omen
the window, looked out upon the tranquil beauty
of the summer evening landscape The fresh
breeze played about his burning temples, and
opening his vest as if to cool the fire that was
raging in his bosom. he stood leaning against the
easement until he suddenly perceived Domenico
with his Lutte in his hand, slowly taking the way
to a romantic valley, at short distance Tire
fendish spirit which had gained possession o.
Andrea Immediately suggested horrible plan
snatching up a heavy leaden weight which lay
in his apartment, and stealing with an assas-
sins step after his unconscious friend, he sta
toned himself behind a clump of low trees in a
narrow part Of the path through which he knew
Domenico would.return. He had not waited long
when he heard the sound of Domenicos lutte.
lie was singing the yesper hymn. The music
mellowed by the clear evening air, came upon
the ear of the miserable Andrea like angel
tones, and his heart sunk as he listened to the
closing words Of the hymn .~la
We ae+--e.55 s Mother Of God, ~ t
Whose melancholy brow and droopinp eve
Tell Of the thorny path thy feet have trod
Oh. look upon us from thy throne on high a- %
By that sweet name .-. .
The holiest thoughts have ever known
Mother. sweet mother 10. thine aid we claim.
Mother. sweet mother. still watch DER thine own
gt In the dark hour,
When Death o'ershadows us with his MIGHTY wine
Oh be thou near us, with thy gentle power
And to our souls the balm of healing bring y
The music ceased, and as if the demon that
tortured him was suddenly released from a spell
the same wild and horrible thoughts again rose
in the bosom Of Andrea. There was no time .fei
Observation-Disclosures was rapidly approach.
ing-one step more and he would be beyond lis
reach. Raising the heavy mass of lead with ali
the strength of his muscular arm, it crushed at
once the lutte and the breast of his unhappy
friend. Then hastily giving him a violent blow
on the head, he ran with all his speed to his
own apartment, appeared deeply engaged in fin
ishing chalk drawing which lay on his table.
A brief interval of time elapsed, when a servant
burst into the room with the tidings of the dread
full event which had befallen Domenico Feign-
ing the utmost grief, Andrea hastened to the
spot. There, breaking out into the most violent
idAleHtitiouS. GuIeW himself On the earth be-
side the body of his friend, and the murdered
Domenico breathed his last sigh npon the bo-
som of his assassin 4l-,i7'
Years passed on. Not a breath of suspicion
had ever tarnished the name of Andrea dal Gas
tagno; but from the hour when the blood Of
Domenico stained his hand, his pencil lost its
power. He was in possession of the secret for
which he had periled his soul, but it was of no
use to him. The merest dauber, that ever
attempted the art could excel him. The weight
of blood was on his spirit--his mind was
benumbed, shiszhand palsed, and after life
rendered miserable by his restless and envious
passions, he died, confessing on his death bed
that he was the murderer of Domenico Vene-
ziana. But even in his latest hour no renlorse
was mingled with his confession He died as he
had lived. hardened and yindctive to the last.
and by singular fortune. his body was Inferred
in the church yard of Santa Maria Nueva, the
very church which he and Domenico had been
employed to decorate, and beside thesvery spot
where, nearly thirty years before, the victim OF
his perhdy had found repose. ''1