The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-10-19

sign OF animation. The beauty nfthe
scenery seemed to revive the spirits OF
our travellers, and they drove on to
the inn with most cheerful countenan.
ces
1t was late in the afternoon when
they arrived there. Mr.. X. male pre-
partitions for staying the night. 1t
was now about the middle Of June
The sun was just setting behind mass
of purple and golden clouds, when Mr..
X, in order to CRAFTY melancholy
turn Of mind, walked forth alone to
read the epitaphs in the church yard.
After wandering about for some time
it would seen miraculously guided
thther-he at length approached a
spot where an aged sexton was busiIv
engaged in digging grave. "Be care
ful, my friend" said Mr.. r., on OBJ
serving that the grave-digger had
thrown out skull. "be careful. Do
you observe that you are disturbing
the dead?"
"Nobody's feelings will be hurt in
this case" replied the old man.
That" indicating it by nod, lis the
skull ofa poor traveller, who died ut
Ezra Saunders, inn more than five
years ago. He came to the inn about
dusk, ate a hearty supper, and went
to bed. lie was found dead next
morning, and the doctors said he died
in fit"
"Who was llc?'' anxiously inquired
the traveller.
"N"body knows" was the reply
''i1cithcr his name, nor has anybody
inquired after him.
Mr.. X. was ut that moment attctl.
lively observing the skull, when sud:
denly he perceived that it began to
rock to and fro. muck surprised, he
seized it to ascertain the cause, and
found that toad had lodged within it:
In attempting tn thrust the creature
cut, his finger encountered nail, and
he found, ON further examination, that
it had been driven in at the back part
Of the head.
"What sort of man?' exclaimed
he, on making tlle discovery, twas
this sls2faSs ders you have mention
ed?"
"An honest, thrifty man." replied
the grave-digger. "Iic bought large
farm some years ago, and all the neigh
bors wo: .dered bow he managed to get
SO rich. He is very sociable man,
and visitors frequently go to see him,
to eat his fruit, and hear his stories"
Here was enough to strengthen our
travellers suspicious, ard saying he
had taste for anatomy he requested
permission to keep the skull. What
were his emotions on leaving the
ground! Could it lie that he had found
the grave of his long sought brother-in
law? Could it be the unfortunate man
had got within days ride ofhome, and
had then obscurely perished by the
hand of u murderer Almost crazy
with the thought, he hurried to tile
house of the viIlage Justice; and hae-
ing stated his shs picidns, the Squire
agreed to accompany him to the house
of the 70 mer landlord of the inn.
Shey saw Saunders seated ut Il table
with several merry companions, who
were SO busy in discussing their bran
dy and singing songs, that they scarce
ly observed the entrance Of Mr.. X.
and the justice. But the host arose,
and having bade them welcome, made
them seat themselves at the table, and
though he tried very hard to sustain a
conversation, it was evident that their
look occasioned him great uncasiness
Saunders was stout, thick set man,
with aJealous, yet sensual grey eye,
that peeped.suspicously at his guests
from under its shaggy brow
A person of little discrimination
would have pronounced him a good
natnred. honest fellow, who cared
more for his bottle than his purse; but
a close observer would have seen in
his fnrrowed forehead, an uneasy, sus-
picious eye, indications of on avari.
cious disposition and q guilty con-
cience.
Not to alarm his fenrs unnecessari-
ly, his guests touched upon various
topics, and at length Mr.. X. observed
to his host that he appeared to be pros.
perously situated.
81 am, indeed" was the reply
Providence has blessed me in all my
undertakings"
| Providence blessed yon" said the
Squire, suddenly holding up the skull
before him. "Has not the spirit of
darkness helped you? Look at this
nail2"
| Heavens Tightening could not have
had more instantaneous effect on the
arch fend himself, than til, sc few
words had on the guilty man. Cover
ing his face with his hands, he fell
backwards into his chair. There he
sat, hour after hour, and no entreaties
could induce him to look up or 10 re.