The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-12-28
Obi mischief! thou art swift to enter
Insthe thoughts of desperate men.
& SHAKESPEARE.
CHAPTER I.
HE ENc.oUN E z !.

E G U U " I E h
: ! -ssssI was towards the conclusion Of the
) fsikn Of Charles the Second, that man
issnieht ehase been seen one dark night.
!. making his way through one of the mar
+. row lanes leading from Cheapside.
He was muffled in a large cloak. and
that and his hat, which was pulled closely
aoves his brows, completely, shielded him
) from, observation. He walked with hasty
;steps, and looked about him with a eau
ious eye, as if conscious Of the danger
.ous nature or the neighborhood he was
threading.
sti His caution was not thrown away.
Three men suddenly issued from. an al
). ley and threw themselves upon him. The
stranger was not taken by surprise with
this sudden attack He drew his sword,
sand placing his back against the nearest
wall, stood upon the defensive, at the same
!, aima shouting loudly for help.
The assassins were eager for their prey;
and pressed upon him with great fury.
The cot,bat would have termin ated fatal
ay TO the stranger. in a few moments had
ne not received assistance, in the shape OF
q young cavalier, whom his cries led to
the spot.
The ruffians did not wait to encounter
= him. but hurried into the numerous allies
and disappeared at once
.sFhe nimble rascals!v exclaimed the
newcomer; ssto run into their holes before
L could get thrust al them. A little
blood letting would have done them good.
Are YOU hurt, sir?'' he added, turning to
! the stranger he had befriended.
"a scratch - nothing more. Young
man. you have saved my life. tonight.
What accident brought you to this spot?
.Faithi no accident at all-merely a
Z parrot sparkling eyes,"
isa An intrigue!
:. Not 50; you shall hear how it tlchanced.
! was riding down Cheapside, to-dsy,
when. lifting my eyes to small lcasemen..
heheld the loveliest face it was ever my
good fortune to see. 1t was but a passing
glance, for my horse carried me swiftly
5 BY. Il reined him in and retraced my
steps. but the bright vision had disappear
i ed, and | looked in vain for the particular
easement where she had appeared, but |
could not distinguish it among the num-
Der around. g.,f IS
. a. second look would have disenchant-
ed you. .
III do not think so. My life has been
4 rowing one, and have mingled with the
.hiQh and low-the rich and poor. | have
sseeni proud danes and fair maidens-l
shaye found favor in the eyes of each.
have received smiles from some, others
have yielded the dewy perfumes Of their
lips; vet never did see the face that could
,compare with the fleeing vision to-dayp'
Success attend thy wooing. Ere you
no. tell me your name; you have done
me- good service. and it may be in my
mower to serve you in return
5, SsI am called Richard Wright"
.sRichard Wright" exclaimed the
stranger. in a tone Of deep surprise.
s,ss. .tAye; did you ever hear the name be-
forsa''
.sIshaye. Iknew Of one who bore tha
.name--a youth, rash, obstin ate and head
: strong. He.repaid his benefactor's kind
moss. with the blackest ingratitude, untilh
! was Il length forced to drive him from be
meath his roof. So ! have heard the .sto
afy.s nti: o.a.sssf - ~
ssas.slAy versionsis different, = replied Rich
ard Wright, gazing with q scrutinizing ey'
supon the stranger. 81 knew one who hell
those. beneath him to be fit objects for hi
tyranny TO prey upon. He was unbend
ing, selfish and reyengeful. He treatei
his lady wife with brutality and neglect
Scorn on him. for it, for when he married
her he had not farthing that he coult
oall his own She was the mistress o
broad lands left to her by her late lord. 70
she was widow, with one little girl. lei
AZ the pledge of her first affection, and $,
D.