Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-09-21

ed, though with hurried and reluctant
hand. Here it is.
PART SECOND-THE DEMON.
Some brandy said pale featured maa
coming up hurriedly to the bar of small
country tavern, and reaching out his hanl
eagerly.
Nothing more at this bar without the
money. That's decided 7 was the tavern
keepers firmly spoken answer .
just single glass, for Heavens sake Z
I'll settle all tomorrow urged the wretch
ed man, as he leaned on the counter, and
bent far over towards the shelves on which
the bottles of liquor were ranged.
Not drop. And, see here, Erskihe,
| don't want you about here any more-so
just keep away for good and all. If you'll
do that, I'll wipe off old scores IF not,
confound me ! if | don't clap you in jail
for debt. [ won't have such drunken,
good-for-nothing fellow hanging about my
premises. It's disgraceful !
That's hard talk, Grimes-hard talk
said the poor wretch, and you with 50
much ofmy money in your till. But come!
don't be so close with me. There-do you
see my hand he held out his arm
that shook with strong nervous tremor-
| must have something to steady me, or
I'm gone!
Not dram more. I've said it, and I'll
stick to it. coldly and cruelty answered the
landlord. 'And what's more you've got to
leave this bar instanter'
And as Grimes said this, he passed from
behind the counter, with the evident inten-
ton of forcing his customer out of the
house. A quick change was now visible,
not only in the face of Erskine, but in his
whole person. His hand, that Jay trem-
bling against the bar-railing at once became
steady, and gripped the railing firmly his
STOPPING body, in appearance SO weak and
unstrung, rose up erect, while fierce, de-
tant scowl darkened his conntenance. By
this time the landlord had left the bar, and
was within a few feet of him.
I want you to leave here at once said
Grimes, sharply, waving his hand and nod,
ding his head towards the door as he spoke
I'm not just ready to CO. was the cool
reply of Erskine, as his now glittering eyes
fixed themselves on the face of Grimes.
Go you must I've said it, and thai
bond! Ifyou ever set your foot inside of
my house again I'll cowskin you. Go!
And he was about to lay his hand OF
Erskine, when the latter stepped backward
pace or two, saying, as he did So
'I-Qo op0
the devil in me now, and had as lief xii
you as look at you. So don't tempt me-
Bah ! calculated the landlord, con
temptuously, advancing again upon the in
ebriate, and making an attempt, as he ad
vanced, to grasp him by the collar, for tn
purpose of choking him into submission
His hand had scarcely touched the perso
of Erskine, ere the latter, with demonia
cry, sprung upon him with so sudden ashoc
as to bear him down. AS the landlord fe
beneath his assailant, the grip of the latte
was on his throat. To free himself frol
this he deemed an easy thing; but for one
he was in error. He was not now dealh
as he supposed with nerveless and e.
. hausted drunkard, whom child mig ight
vercome. The poor, despised wretch wa
suddenly transformed, through an influx
malignant passions into the disordered ell
ments of his mind, to fierce wild BEAST
, There was an iron grip in his hand, as
frightened on the throat of his PROSTATE vi
tim; while the terrible expression of b
, eyes and face too clearly indicated his pu
!, pose to commit murder And fatal wou
have been the result, had not the time
! entrance of third person prevented tt
: catastrophe.
: 1 told you the devil was in me-, sa
Erskine, as he shook himself free from t
! hands of the man who had dragged hi
= from the fallen body of the landlord, a
: stood glaring fend-like defiance upon t
now thoroughly frightened Grimes.
: meant to have killed you; and feel Ii
: doing it yet. 1t would be nothing me-
than just retribution. You beggar a
= destroy, body and soul, poor wret'
~ while he has moneyto pay you for the b
,f lish work but, when every sixpence
- :. had in the world lies safely in your t
> you would thrust him out with biting
:. suit, even though he stands shivering
&c nervous exhaustion before you, and aim
- begs for mouthful of stimulant to 81
~ him from horrible madness. Bill Grim
you may be thankful for your escape NJ
OF but the work shall be done more surely
e. ever my hand reaches your accursed thr
Is again. Give me some brandy instantly
ne These last words were uttered in 10
ed fierce, commanding voice. Grimes wal
Mt not for their repetition, but hurried i
up his bar, and taking decanter of bral
lp- placed it upon the counter. This was .
lPt ed by Erskine, and alarge glass filled ID
an than half full of the drugged and fiery
Ism quor, that poisoned while it fevered
ar system. At single draught this di
IN peared, and his hand was on the decal
oy again, when both the landlord and the
5ht son who had just entered interposed to
ke~ vent his drinking any farther. Madly
me resisted this interference, but there
run two against him now, and though he st
; 10 gled desperately, he was soon hurled
nal the road, and the door barred against
Homeward the degraded man soon
= turned his steps Homeward! Had
) at home! Reader, ten years have pa
l0V- - ~ I.