Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-05-07
rERMs or ADvERTlsINe.
MISCELLANY.
THE MYSTERIOUS BOX.

Horace Flintwood sat alonein his scanti
ly.furnished apartment. Outside the
meagre windows the rough storm beat
clamorously for admittance; and the wind
whistling and moaning down the black
throated chimney, made bright waving
phantoms of the flames, wich lcaped over
the few bits Of wood and coal in the crate
There was but little fire; yet that lit.
tie lighted up the handsome face Of young
Flihtwood with a pale, ghostly CLEAN; and
in that face, by the light, you could read
the fearful tale Of utter poverty, and
threatening starvation There was hunger
in the wild expression of the hollow eyes
and upon the broad, white forehead where
the transparent skin failed to conceal the
delicate vein -tracery wrought there.
Two. years befora,. Horace Flintwood
had left his pleasant home in the country
and his aged parents, to seek fortune in q
large town, whore we find him at the com
nencement of our story.
The old homestead, the place where his
boyhood had been passed, was mortgaged
and it was to obtain money to save the
home of his parents from stranger hands
that young Flintwood had bid farewell tc
those he loved His trade--that of brick
!ayer--at first procured him ready money
in fatterins quantities; but there came a
panic in trade, and the young mechanic
soon found himself deprived of employ
nent. sisrs
He would have removed elsewhere, but
an attack of fever brought him to his bed
and he at length arose to fnd himself de-
priyed of every shilling which he could
once call his own On the very verge o.
starvation, he thought of begging his way
back to his parents, but his pride reyolted
They were poor, and looked to him for the
restoration of their dissipated fortune =
Should they see him come back to them
penniless and starvation? Mono he
would rather die where he was, alone, and
for the want Of bread He could not &C
back TO them only to increase their cares
and be but an additional burden upon
their scanty means.
Horace Flintwood was thinking of al
this while sitting there by the waning fire
that chill November night, and as h,
thought, despair crept into his heart
Out on the muffled air doomed shrill anG
clear, the bell upon neighboring tower
pealing eleven
As the last cchoing ring ceased there
came short quick rap at Horace's door
He answered the summons, and figure
closely wrapped in black cloak, strode intC
the room, and without word, sat dowI
on the chair which Horace had vacated.
"a wild evening !" remarked Horace t.
break the nwkard silence.
every, was the reply. "Arc you en-
gagged for this evening?' Tho stranger
tone was quick and imperative,
Engaged Horace startled at th
question: certainly not at this time o
night "-..
care you in want of money! Askeo
the unknown, and he bent a glance o
piercing inquiry upon Hornce, from pal
OF black, flashing eyes, set far back unde
clff-like brows.
"Sir, l am not accustomed to answe
questions concerning my private affairs
said Horace, and he drew himselfup proud
ly, and something like frown passed owe
his pale brow,
al require job of work done, sal
the strangcr-"donc by aJgood and faith
full hand, a discreet workman, | mean
and such is your reputation among thos
who best know Horace bowed ait
a small job 1 wish it finished tonight
tonight !" said the stranger, repeating tn
words with startling emphasis-"and 20
must do IL ~
"Well, sir, said Horace, Nwork woul
be very acceptable to mel need the mon
sy badly enough but nidnightis rathe
singular time to call upon the services {
brioklayer. ~ ,.l -eta
"Grantod," said the stranger but
ask il nevertheless; and still further 20
must be blindfolded, and conveyed in
close carriage to the place whore you al
to work, aud return to your lodgings
the same way. Moreover, you must sweI
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