True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-10-06

towardsthe thing that hung upon The high
Jail wall there, motionIess, with its
ghastly cOwl drawn over it,
And that man was an Italian foreigner.
My people took him and acted towards
him as Christian people should do, and
he was grateful, and stayed with us, ma.
king himself as useful as he could for
weeks, for months. When he had been
our guest for near upon year, the man
who was then my mate in the light house,
died; and, mainly through my fathers
recommendation, the Italian was appoint.
ed 10 be my companion in bis place. l
was pleased that the poor fellow was thus
provided for; but, yet, | had rather that
he had been given any other post that that;
not for any assignable cause, or of course
this could have been prevented; but from
vague, uncomfortable feeling thai l had
always had in connection with him, such
as should not have dreamt Of mention
ing to bis prejudice. I did not mention
it, am perfectly certain, even to my
mother.
when found myself in the narrow
light house, alone with this man, upon
the waste Of waters, this antipathy increa-
sed. could not meet him on the winding
stairs without shddder. loathed his
company in that little sitting room upon
the lower story, which, when my old
mate was with me, had seemed as com.
Portable parlor as need be; and when l
was at work in the lantern, | was forever
thinking, what is he doing below there.
and whereabouts will find him when |
descend |! do not think | was afraid Of
him then. Time was, when I had not
shrunk from death struggle with a far
more powerful! man than he, and had
come off victor but still did not fancy
taking my rest in the snug little bed
chamber, as Of old, knowing that this man
was awake and watching, all the night
long.
'Slill, beyond being reserved and laci.
turn, and having this something repeIlant
about him which cannot explain, there
was nothing evil 10 be said against the
poor Italian foreigner, and was ashamed
Of myself whenever reasoned about the
matter for feeling as 1 did.
'On the night of this day twelve years
ago, the sixteenth Of Angus. eighteen
hundred and forty.one, my father was off
duty at home, and while he lay in bed,
combating with a certain idea, which
shadowed his mind like nightmare, my
mother shook him in piteous terror.
Husband cried she, husband, 1
have had fearsome dream, and it seems
SO like the truth, that l am miserable
Wake, wake, | do believe our George is
being murdered by the Italian man!
"Great Heavens = cried my father
why awoke Just now, by that very
dream, and cannot shake it off my MUD,
do what will. But it must be only
fancy; consider how full the poor fellow
has always shown himself to be of grati-
tude TO us all, and what could he gel by
the murder Of our George!
George keeps. all his savings in his
room ct the light house, returned my
mother sobbing. | cannot help ----.
Hark, do you hear that scream?'
Two or three shrieks rang through the
house as she spoke and my sister Mary
with her hair dsheveled, and in her
night dress. rushed into the room.
oh mother! fa,her!' cried she, | canno,
stay any longer by myself; have dream.
ed dream that haunts me whenever
shut my eyes. When l left my room
just now to come TO you, thought tho
Italian was at my heels, who seemed be.
fore in my sleep to be numbering George.
He has murdered brother George do
believe
'You dreamt Ihat!' exclaimed her pa.
rents.
'Yes,' said she, 4 drcamt that he cut
my blother's throat in the light house,
MY father rose in haste, dressed him.
self and started at once, in the moonlight
for the fishing svillage over agains, The
rock which was my lonely dwelling place
It was good ten mile walk, and when
he had been about two hours on his way
and it was five o'clock, he met me com.
ing homeward with a distressed and un
wonted look. Little did understand
why he wrung my hand. and welcomed
me so heartily, without asking me how
happened to be on the chalk lands, ther,
at such an hour, instead Of at my post.
I had tale 10 tell him, which wal
by that time, ashamed to relate, although
! had started on the way expressly TO Dc
SO,
Father saidI, i have done foolish,
cruel, cowardly thing.
George replied he; / forgive you,
before you tell il 10 me. am too glad 10
find you alive and well, for reproach,
say on.
Il have quarrelled, father, with the poor
Italian foreigner, although he has not
deserved it. | have given him warning
that will no. be bis mate in the light
house any more. NJ e,j
sThank Heaven = cried the old man.
'Nay, said /, surprised enough, but i
was hard thing to do, since had moth,
ing, whatever to justify it, except a