Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-02-01
EATON, PREBLE COUNTY, 0. FEB. 1, 1856

ed his contempt for the prediction, but at the
same time suggested that an examination
( should be made. Coonel Powell opposed it
as folly. a look from the aSrologer brought
Z Amelia TO the rescue; aud she begged her
father TO favor the search.
al am not mistaken his time" said the as
/ troIoger.
If that simple and comprehensive word
"humbug' was in use in those deyS, We have
no doubt Colonel Powell made itexp eSS his
sentiments on the present occasion. Without
/ any faith in Mr.. Rahab'S wisdom, he at last
consented 10 the search, and WaIdeck pro-
cured couple OF labOretS 10 do The work.
The party descended TO the cellar, and the
seer pointed out the spot where the body was
burned. The labOGerS cOmmcUccd their task,
while the party not very deeply impressed
! with the Solemnlty of the occasion, INDUCED
in idle jeSts at the expense Ol the occul,
sciences.
i The laborers excavated the earth 10 the
depth OF about two feet while occasionally
TO divert the attention Of the company, the as
trologer gave directions 10 the workmen. Al
last, with an omlnlous look into the pit, he
informed his companions that the body W uld
shortly appear. Amelia, not understanding
the tactics of Mr.. Rahab, was frequently start.
led by his abrupt gestures and singular demon
Stra tlOnS.
Mr.. WaIdeck and Colonel Powell, in the
absence OF other occupation, stood by the pit,
watching the laborers at their task, The as.
trolOger walked up ana down The cellar, stop,
ping at every turn, in front Of tie wall which
: CONT aimed the vault. lie had fixed his eye
upon a stone IN the lower par, Of the wall,
upon which the stability Oftne structure seem
ed 10 depend. 1t was evident the work had
been executed by an unskiilIul hand. On the
, binding stone the aStroIoger occasionally be-
' slowed kick, and once, while the others
were looking into the pat, he stopped Gown
: and worked it up and down with his hands
Approaching the cavity IN which the work
men we're engaged, he exclaimed with start.
, ling yehemence:
"S'ay! the body is at hand the stars are ia
, vora5e."
Again the juggler performed some mcanta.
u tions, and bidding the labOrers Resume theiI
task, he approached the secret vault. But
u no body appeared and COIOne! Powell impa
tent at the long continuance Of the trick, and
disguSted with the performances OF the aStrOl
> oyer, began TO vent his appreciation OF the oc.
caSlOn:
m.et us end this farce, shall be ashamed
. TO meet a sensible man after having made such
fool Of myself"
"Be patient; the body Shall appeal" re-
piled the seer, starting across t cellar.
al had hoped lIat through cOlluSlon or Some
: other means: this fellow might bring the body
to light" said WaIdeck,
"lnd your hope shdH be realized ~ thun-
:. dered the aStrOlocer, giving powerful thrus;
y with his foot at the loose stone above men.
toned.
u To The astonishment of the whole party, and
o to the utter diSmay of Waldeck, the wall in
!. front OF the vault came down with a crash, q J.
=; most burying the ssrOloger IN the mass
S GOOD heavens what is this Z" exclaimed
# Colonel Powell.
b Waldeck, overcome by the sudden and un-
a expected revelation Of his fatal secret, was
e sneech! esS. Amelia was startled but her
;, hopes suppanted her fears, and she waited
Y with tremulous anxiety the dencunCement OF
h Rahab's plot The contents Of the vault were
only partialIy exposed, and tue aStroiOger leap.
,f Ing into the aperture; threw hI,herand thitbeI
the various bags and kegs +; and raiScd up lie
bo}v of John Dctcrie, so TINT il coHH BE- seen
Lu aQ lie party Calling the laboIerS TO his as
- sistance, The corpse was conveyed from il:
Is concealmcnt to the open cellar.
"The stars are indeed propllouS," mutter'
- ed the aSTOloger, as he bent over the body.
'This is astounding" said Colonel Powell
"but, Rahab, how knew you this No more
l. of the stars, scouudrel, suspect you are al
le accompllce."
"Av, an accomplice," stammered Woldeck
d trembling with The violence of his trepidation
/, can accompllcc !" thuudered the aSlrologe
10 Wai1eck. "Niiiian ! murderer In the
J. presence Of heaven, l ehdrge hee wiM td'
murder ;" aud Rahab's eyes flashed fire to the
d goldsmith's confused gaze
e ooh, father, let us 90 out OF this place.
said Amelia thrilled with horror at the ghaSt
- " sight which the body Of the goldsmith pre-
;, sented.
Colonel Powell assisted Amelia up airs
y folio ed by Waldeck, the astroIoger, and tht
ia laburerS.
/. "Thls is strange" said the officer, wher
/ they had reached tie shop"
II every strange ~ repeated Waldeck, ghas'l!
ID pale with fear. "Ths man must have beer
at concerned in the nurdeT."
"Mr. Waldrck," said The seer in milk
l. tone, "cOnceanent is useless. Iou-you aTt
,e tie asSaSsin!'
II "Pshaw man ~ remarked Colonel Powell
id "You are mad ; you know not what you say
l. "Where did he get the rng 3
al found it in tue shop" answered Wal
a deck, striving 10 recover his compoSure.
er "LiarW exclaimed the aStrOIoger. "Go,
took it from the fin -er of the corpse Ay, yOl
r, cut off the finger for the purpose Of obtaining
ln."
wv at is false false as hell " replied th'
goldsmith.
ID "rhot can easily be determined" said Col