True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-10-28
THE MYSTERIOUS BOX.
DY CLARA AUGUSTA.

Horace FlintwoOd sat alone in his
scan,ily furnished apartment. Outside
the meagre windows, the rough storm
beat .clam0ursly for admittance, and the
wind whistling and moaning down the
great black.throated chimney. made
bright, waving phantnms of the red
flames which leaped over the few bits of
wood upon the hand,irons.
There was but little fre-but that
little, lighted up the handsome face of
young Flintwood, with pale ghosrIy
CLEAN. And in that face, by the ligh.
you could read the fearful tale Of utter
poverty, and near starvation! /! There
was hunger in the wild expression Of the
hollow eyes and upon the broad white
. forehead, where the transparent skin
failed 10 conceal the delicate vein.lracery
wrought there.
Two years before, Horace Fintwood
had left his pleasant home in a country
section Of Massachusetts, and his aged
parents, to seek his fortune in The great
city Of the West, l,C-; where we find
them al the commencement OF our story.
The old homestead the blessed old
place where lis childhood had been pas
sed was mortgaged, and it was to obtain
money to save the home Of his parents
from stranger hands, that young Flint
wood had bid farewell to those he loved
and joined the great stream of western
emigration. His trade--lhat of brick.
layeI---at first procured him ready money
in fa,tering quantities; but as people
were unsalisfed with settling so far east
as C--,the young mechanic soon found
himself deprived of employment.
He would have followed The current
on--even to the shores Of The Pacific,
but ap attack Of fever brought him 10 his
bed, and he at length arose tn find him
self deprived Of every dollar which he
could once call his own. On the very
verge of Starvation! He thought of beg
ging his way back TO his parents but his
pride revolted. They were poor, and
looked to him for the restoration of their
lissipated fortune should they see him
conc back to them pennyless and star
wing No not even if he died III that
great city alone--and for the want of
bread He could not 60 back to them
only to increase ther cares, and be but an
additional burden upon their scanty
means
Horace Flintwood was thinking of all
this, while sitting there BY the waning
fire. that chill November night. and as he
thought despair crep. into his heart. Our
on the mufled air doomed, shrill and
clear, the bell upon neighboring tower
pealing eleven!
AS the last echeing ring ceased, there
came a short, quick rap al Horace's door
He answered the summons, and figure
closely wrapped in black cloak, slrode
into the room, and without word sat
down on the chair which Horace had
vacated.
IA wild evening, friend" HORACE re-
marked, 10 break lhe awkward silence.
"Very. Are you engaged this even
ing!" The strangers tones were quick
and imperative.
Engaged :" Horace started at the
question. certainly not at this time Of
night"
"Are you in want Of money ;" The
unknown bent glance of piercing in
quiry upon Hoarce, from pair Of black
flashing eyes, sci far back under clifflikt
brows.
.sSir, am not accustomed 10 answer
questions concerning my private affairs.
Hoarce drew himself up proudly, ant
something like lrown passed over his
pale brow.
II require job Of work done-dont
by agaod, faithful hanC-a discreet work
man. | mean, and such is your repua
tion among those who best know you.
Hoarce bowed.
ut is a small job, but | wish il finish
ed to.night-to,night !" repeating tn,
words with startling emphasis, sand yol
must 10 it !"
"Well, sir, work would be very acccp
table to mel need the money bac
enough. bu. midnigh, is rather singula
time 10 call upon the services Of "a brick
layer"
.Granted-b ask it, nevertheless
and still farther you mus. be blind.fnld
ed, and conveyed 10 the place where you
are to labor in close carriage, and re
turn to your lodgings in the same way
Moreover, you must swear never 10 revea
single thing which may occur to yol
this night. TO any living creature !"
The unknown had risen to his feet
and stood silently and haughliIy awaiting
Horace's reply.
The young bricklayer seemed mucl
struck by the mysterious proposition q
his strange visitor.
Could but know that there wa
;notbing criminal nothing
t It's enough that you have nothing /,
do but follow my directions. All vii
be well with yolg and the pay shall b
inladYqse, ,if yon require jt." He dun
ttf s'T, y NM WI, Wa N ~ 9tY@if 3,.;s