The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-11-02
5hlettt1 Gnlr
From the Star S. Bonner.
THE DEVIL.
CHAPTER I.
BY THOMAS WELLS.


profound tho'ght, he was stranger to
ail that was passing around him. A storm
ragged without {; the rain fell in torrents,
and the wind moaned and whisted MS il
sucked in and out through the badly con-
structed joints of the only window of his
little garret The scanty coal Mt the bot
tom OF the CRATE, burned dull and cheer
lessly. A smoky lamp gave but flick
ering light, as the fame was jerkcd about
by the wind.
Wilhcm wrote on. His forehead rest
ing on one Of his hands, he let the other
course rapidly over the paper, without
noticing the efforts Of the tempest which
assailed his dwelling. At last his pen
stopped. Wilhem raised his llead. nut
ms hand to his forehead, and again fixing
ms eyes on the lines he had been tracing,
he read with attention
To FsANTz RoLLEn, Student
When you read this letter all will be
ended. shall have quilted this life of
deception and misery. shall be gone
from this world, and shall have entered.
rs lIope and believe, better. When
We are about to die, we doubt no more
Adieu, then, you whom have loved 40
truly: you, whom from my infancy | have
regarded rs The half Of myself Adieu a.,
think sometimes Of Wilhelm, and IL ever
you accord to another. the friendship that
was once mine, do not deceive him AZ you
have me for perhaps you may also
cause his death, and another in diving NAV
not forgive you, as do.
Yes, Frantz, forgive you, and vet it i.
you, and you alone, who causes me TO kill
myself Know it well. Others will at
tribute my suicide to poverty or insanity
produced by excessive study wish YOU
mt least to know the true cause. Yon re-
member, Frantz, the evening when, Join
ing hands, we swore eternal friendship.
was poor, You rich alone, without pa
rents, relations or friends. You had fam
ily, loved aud respected by all. You gen
er''usly proffered me half Of your possess
ions for my friendship, aud accepted, be-
iierlng you sincere from that DAY we
Were as brothers. loved but YOU and
Mira, who like myself was alone in the
world. This good girl had given me her
affection, a love chastc and pure as her
SELL All fhe tine left from work and
study, have passed with you, too over.
joyed with the happiness too perfect for
this life when all isephcmeral. Fool -
how many times have taken the dream
for the reality. Yes, have hcen dream
ing this evening / awoke this evening,
Franh, have seen you at the feet of sii.
ra, who placed her hand in yours, and
smiicd at your words. ] have seen this,
and have not killed you. Ali render
thanks to the friendship luuve sworn to
you. For an instant, tlc temptation was
very strong. Now I am calm, and rar-
don yen- Mira il so beautiful You will
be able TO see her every day. You have
loved her; that should be but how you
have forgotten your friend plepare
myself to die, alone, bid in the garret that
Occupied before went 10 your dwelling.
Why should live now Without love,
without friendship-tlose two attractions
OF life, Study Is but derision, and exist.
ence q punishment Alden. .Fraptz. sdi,u
Mira. 10 you happiness. for me death.
Think sometimes Of your friend his last
thoughts shall be Of you"
aWilhem folded, sealed aud directed hi,
letter, and with convulsiyo moyeme emf.
opened . drawer aud took from il pistol.
After contemplating il somc minutes. he
laid Il upon the table, and rising, com.
menesd walking rapidly up and down the
roosi.
"To die" exclaimed he, ITO die so Young,
whoa l have before me so great future :
TO die, when ! could become rich, loved,
aud hsppy--b1t no, this cannot be /
must die"
He advanced near the table. The
Storm sa9sd with redoubled fury "Oh /
acclaimed Wilhelm, with Increasing aois !.
ton, 'ff the dreams Of my youts, eould be
realized !; " some slI-poweffal eenii, angel
o. demon, would come and Offer me soIne
years ofhappiness IN exchange for nv life
OF etsrniiy ; III could copelude one 81 ibose
bafgains-----"