Squatter sovereign., 1856-09-02
me TO bring forth these bodies that are 10
be bsried in this vault


these words: he followed the priest with
trembling steps into retired chamber OF
the mansion. expecting to hold some ghast-
ly spectacle of death, but was relieved on
2erceiving three or four por,ly jars stand
ing in7ohe corner. They were evidently
fall of money. and j; was with great labo.
shat he and the priest carried them forth
and consigned them 10 the tomb. The
vault was Then closed, the pavement re-
placed. and all traces of the ssork obiibera-
ted The mason was again hoodwinked
and led forth 10y route different from tha,
by which he had come. After they had
wandered for long time through per-
picked maze of lanes and alleys. t!sey halt
ed. The prizes: then put iwo pieces OF gold
into his hand
WAIT here" said he. "un,il You hear
me cathedral bell toll fof mathis. Il YOU
presume 10 uncover your eyes before that
time, evil will befall you" So saying ne
departed.
The mason waited faithfully, amusing
himself by weighing the gold pieces in has
hand. and chinking them against each ot.,-
er, The moment the cathedral bell rung
lis natin peal he uncovered his ewes and
found himself on the banks OF the Xenil,
from where he made the best of his way
home, and reveIled with his family for a
Whole fortnight on the profit oil his two
nights work; after wilich4le was as poor
as ever.
He continued to work little and pray a
good deal, and keep Saints days aud hoii.
days from year TO year, while his family
grew upas gaunt and rabid as crew oI
gypsies. As hr was seated olc evening
at the doof OF his howell, he was aecosted
by rich old cur,nudgeou, who was noted
ior owning many houses aud being grip.
ping landlord. The man OF money eyed
him FOR a moment beneath pair of anx
lous. shagged eye brows.
Il am told friend that you are very poor
There is no denying the TACT Senior
it speaks for itself"
Il presume that you will he glad of a
job and work cheap"
''As cheap my master, as any mason il
Grenada
That's what / want. l have an old
house falling into decay. that costs me
more money than it is worth to keep il in
repair, for no one will live in it. so mus
contrve TO patch ii ur al as small an ex.
pense as possible
The mason was accordingly conducted
to large deserted house that seemed 90.
ing TO ruin. Passing through seyeral
empty halls and chambers, he entered an
inner court. where his eye was caught by
an old Moorish fountain. He paused fol
a moment, for ID dreaming recollection oil
the place wildly came over hin.
Pray" said he, .'wiio Occupied thi.
house forme:lyl"
"A pest upon him!" cried the landlord
at Was an old lniserly priest, who cared
or nobody but himself He was said tc
be immensely rich, and having no relatives
1t was thought that he would leave bi.
treasures TO the church. He died sudden.
iy, and the priests and friars thronged td
take possession OF his wealth. but nothing
could they find hut few ducats in leath
ern purse. The worst luck has fallen IL
me. - since his death the old fellow con
tinues 10 occupy my house without paying
dead man. The people pretend to heal
the ciiniling Of gold all night in the cham
Der where the old priest slept, as If ne wa.
counting oser bis money, and sometimes
a groaning and moaning abeu. The court
Whether true or false. these stories brough
a bad name 10 my house, ami not ten
ant will remain In IT,
Enough" said the mason, sturdily. lie
me live In your house rent-free. until som,
better Tenant presrni himself, and ! Wi
put it in repair and quIetthe troubled spiri
that disiurhs it. am good Christian "a,
poor man, and am not to be daun.ed b,
the devil himself, even though he shout.
come in the shape of a big bag Of money
| The offer of the homes, mason was glad
ly accepted; he moved with his family int
the house and fulfilled all his engagements
By littie and little he restored it TO lis Tor
ner stale; the clinking of gold was hear,
no more at night in the chamber of the de
funct priest. hM begun to be heard by dai
in the pocket Of the living mason. In {
word. he increased rapidly IN wealth, Il
The admiration of all his neighbors. ane
became one of the richest men in Granda
he gave large sum to the church. by way
no doub:, Of satisfying his conscience, ane
r..vssr rtyea!t. the s.fcr.. slf the raul iisfi