Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1852-06-24
The Devils HOllow;
An Incident of Re1ll Life,

III IIlG lOMu VI Ott9hily OLi my
Hudson River, there ldwelt, some
twenty years ago, an attorney of the
name of Mason. He was in consid-
erable practice, and had two clerks
in his office, whose names were Man
sell and Van Buren. In point Of
ability, these young men we're nearly
on par, but they~differed widely IN
disposition. Van Buren was cold,
close, and somewhat sullen IN temper;
but in business, shrewd, active and
persevering. ManselI, although as
siduous in his duties, was Of a g;iyer
temperament; open as the day, gen
erous, confding and true.
Mason, without being absolutely
dishonest, was what is called a keen
lawyer, his practice being somewhat
of the sharpest; and as the dispoSi-
ton Of his clerk, Van Blren, assin-
hated to his own, be was a great f.
vorite-morc intimately in his con
fidenee, and usually employed in
those ddlicafe matters which some
tim es occur in an attorneys busi-
ness, and in which the honesty Of
Mansell might rather hinder than
help.
Mason had niece, who he being a.
| bachelor, lived with him il the ca
pacity Of housskeeper. She was a
Ilively, sensitive and claver girl very
lprgtty, if not positively handsome.
lIShe had the grace Of Il $ylpl and
l|thc step of a tawn. 1t was quite
natural that such maiden should be
Ian object Of interest to two young
men living under the same roof; and
Iby no means a matter Of astonish-
ment that one or both Of them should
fall in love with her; and both OF
them did. But, as the young lady
had but one heart, she could not re-
tain the love Of each. 1t is scarce
Nv necessary to say, that in making
her selection, the choice fell upon
Edward NIsnsell, greatly to the Cha
grin oflhis rival, and to the annoy
ahce of Mason, VII o would have
H been pleased to find Van Buren the
| Etyorite suitor. However, Mansell
was the chosen lover, and Mason
could not alter the cas- by argument,
nor was be disposed to send away hls
niece, who was in SOME Measure es-
sential to his domestic comfort; and
moreover, he loved her as much as
! he loved anything.
Matters went on this way for sAe
time; a great deal Of bitterness and
rancor being displayed by Mason and
Van Buren, on the one hand, while
Kate and Edward Mansell found il
the interviews they occasionally en-
loved, more than compensation TO
the annoyance to which they wer'
thus necessarily exposed,
1t happened, atthe time when Ed
wards engagement was within
month of It's expiration, that Masol
had received sum Of money, a
ag gent for another party, amountln'
to nearly three thousand dollars, 9
which the greater portioF-was IN sol
lid coin. As the money could no
he conveniently disposed of pdti
the following day, it was deposlfe
in tin box in the iron safe, the / 4e
of which was always in the cust9d
Of Mansell. Soon after he receive
charge, Van Buren quilted the oilie
for Il short time, and in the intern
an application from a client repdere
it necessary for Mansell to 60 up t
the Court House. Having dispatcthe
il bis business at the hall, he returpe
# with all expedition, and in due TIN
eyl he took the key of his safe to depo'
Il lit therein, as usual, the valuable p'
N pers of the office over night-w he
q to his inconceivable horror, he disco
: cred that the treasure was gone.
i He rushed down stairs, and NEE
i ing Van Buren, communicates u u.
8 unfortunate Circumstance. lie,
ID turn, expressed bis astonlshmenlt 4 +
III strong terms, and indeed exhlb lltf
. kind of sympathy in his brofh'
i clerk 5 misfortune. Every search " Y
y made about the premises, and l1io 1lo
i nation was given the nearest nlassl q
A trate; but as Mason was from hdm II
u and would not return till the Ilel
i day. little else could be done. E
&, ward passed a night Of intense tg
t ny-nor we're the feelings OF ha
le more enviable. Mason retufpt
I Io,,rc oovl,o, fhap CGS pxDG0te