True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-10-28
H. RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor.

down purse well hlled win gold upon
The table Horace'e eyes glistened, but he
was silent.
"There are one hundred dollars-,hey
are yours it you consent"
"One hundred dollars impossible! |
cannot accept--it looks too much like
brhe for committing some horrid CRIME
some"
"Hush my friend, l know your cir.
cumsances. and your services tonight
will fully compensate me for the triaing
SUM DO you consent "
Horace threw on Ills weIl.worn over
coat, and taking with him some small
implements Of his trade, he followed the
unknown to the waiting Carriage. Once
within the vehicle. a handkerchief was
bound tightly over his eyes. and the night
Of blindness settled over everv object.
On. al d on rolled Ire phaton, over
Boynton's Bridge, and past The cana!
toll.gate, over the brick pavcmenis, cut
upon The plank road, until at las. the
wheels revolved upon the hard gravel of
a turn pike. Bye.and-bye, tI'a way be.
came rough and stony, and Horuce knew
that they had left the city and its envi.
rons far behind them. Not word had
been exchanged between the young me-
chanic and the unknown; and the man
who held the reins and guided The horses,
was silent as the grave.
At length the carriage stopped, and
Horace was assisted to alight He was
conducted up grassy path. and into
some sor, of buiding--he knew it by
The confined air and the heavy clang of
doors behind him. With the unknown
holding fast to his arm, he assembled two
flights of stairs then passed through
several mouldy, damp rooms; then down
flight of steps through long, empty
corridor and then, sarce ssiveIy descen.
ded four winding sIaircases--the last of
unhewen stone. The air grew moist and
dense. The odor oppressive.
"Where are YOU leading me ?" Flint.
wood ventured to ask of his mysterious
guide.
"It matters not!' was the brief, stern
reply.
They stopped before a massive iron
door, strongly secured by belts, fastening
in grooves cut far into the solid rock of
the casing. Down into their inches fell
the ponderons bars as the twain passed
through the entrance and the door closed
10 with dull, heavy bang.
The unknown paused. and drew off
the bandage from Hoiace's eyes.
They stood in long, low apartment,
the sides of which were of black brick
and the arched roof of dingv grew stone.
The dim light which the unknown carri,
ed in his hand only served to make more
hideous the dismal gloon Of the place.
In the centre Of the room there was an
oblong box, Of unpoIished oak. screwed
together by heavy iron screws, and in
general appearance not unlike a coflin.-
A thrill of superslitious horror passed
through Horace's frame he started back
few PAGES, still regarding with disten,
ded eyes the object before him.
"Well!" he spoke, inquirirgly.
"That box," returned the unknown,
"contains a treasure-of what form il
matters not to you suffice it that wish
it placed here"-he pointed to recess
in an angle Of the wall--"and then you
are to build across the aperture solid
line Of masonry--solid, mind you! two
tiers of brick, breaslwise, and u coat oI
strong plaster over the whole! You will
find all the materials, necessary to your
work, here and at precisely four O'Clock
] shall expect to have the job complete
Until tha, hour you will be alone--then
| will come for you!"
Horace drew back. I" I cannot, unless
| know the contents Of that casket! Ii
may be that am employed-mado the
instrument of some dreadful vllainy
indeed, indeed | cannot go 10 work in
this blind uncertainty !"
"Choose between i! and death y came
through the clenched teeth of the un
known, aid drawing a revolver from hi'
breast, lie held i. in frighlful proximity
to the young mans forehead.
"Your decision |" His voice was low
but awfully clear and distinct.
~ concent" {" Horace spoke the words
without shadow of quavering
I, Enough and now ! leavcyou to your
self. If your work is done 10 my salts
faclion, On additional hundred shall re
ward yoE for the fright have given you!'
He lighted an Iron lamp which hung sus
pended from the roof OF the cellar ant
with a corleus good night the unknown
withdrew boiling tie door behind him.
Horace was lei. alone in the silent am
MYSTERIOUS chamber,
A strange awe stole over him, ant
mingled with the overmastering curiosity
he laIt to examine the sealed box. Com
what would lie determined 10 have
! glimpse Of 'tthe treasure" !" col,seslet
there, and Horace Flintwood, when ono
} resolvedupon anything, however periloua
was as immoyable as the eternal rock 0
!, Gibralter
! Securing the great locrupopt inside
J, with q couple Of rusty bars which. ha,
probably been Unused from time imme