Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-05-07

- IONe you 80 mucn-JuSt tell me what sort
Of death you would like best to die. Shall
cut of your head, eh? Or would you rather
! should hang you-from that beam, for in.
stance. Don't be afraid, only say what you
would like best, charming Duna."
What pleasure can you take in plngueing
me so cruellyy" said Duna, not crediting that
the ugly jester with the red nose could be in
earnest.
"Why don't you answer ?" he said, exam-
lining the secretary and the lock. II should
be glad to know-whether you-would rather
be hanged or-0 no! Gauerila Michail.
witch keeps his money under two locks, does
he! Stay bit; it is not the first we have
coaxed open." So saying, he took an iron in
strument out of his pocket, and Immediately
began to use it upon the lock. Duna stood
as if spcll-bOund in the middle of the room,
trembling in all her frame.
" Vel. what is il them Speak -eut, Az
dotya Ycremeyevna. Can't you make up your
mind? Hang the lock Avdotya Yeremey-
evna, wait your answer. my precious This
is the strongest lock I've seen this many
day. Will you speak or not"
The secretary burst open with n crash.
Whoo! what lot of fine things! Bank
notes, and ducats, and watches! They don't
go: spoiled most likely. A ring! I don't
want it. Oh, III take these diamonds. Are
these all crumbs Of office 2" --------
Chatting in this fashion with himself and
with Duna, he crammed his pockets with
money, watches, and trinkets, and then turned
abruptly to the half dead girl. well, my
love, your choice!' Waste no time; but tell
me, what death will you die?"
"Well, I'm sure! Ar'nt you ashamed, sir?
1t is very ugly joke this"
II am not joking at all, my sweet onc."
"What have done to you? You have
taken whatever you pleased; did not hinder
you"
That's very true; but do You see, can't
abide leaving eyc-witncsses behind me:
wash my hands of them by all means. With
others don't stand on ceremony but as you,
my love, are such nice good -natured amiable
little dear, will give you your choice of
death. l love pOlitcness: /, too have been
brought up in st. Petcrsburgh."
Still she would not believe that he was in
earnest.
Now, then, let's have it at once; have no
time to lose. Let US put compliments aside.
! am extremely sorry, but you must die by
my hand. am not going to be such fool as
to let you live, to tell what sort of moustachcs,
eyes, nose, clothes &C., have got-what
did here, and which way went. Now, Ad-
votya Yeremcycna, answer quickly"
Every word Of her cold-bloodcd torturcr
was a dagger stroke TO her her whole blood,
all the warm current of her life, crudled back
upon her heart her limbs grew icy cold, and
floods Of tears poured over her inanmate face.
She tOttered and fell to the floor. In her fall
she caught the robbers foot, and kissed IT.
Have mercy on me-" she Shriekcd. "Oh,
onnrn INV lifo iYnu1nrn I ,,voo~ 10 ,,o,,
before the Holy Virgin, will not say a svlla-
BILE to any one. May never see heaven if
do! For the sake Of the blessed st. Nicholas
have compassion upon ME! will pray all
my life for you, as for my own father, my
brother"
The incXOrable miScrcant shook her Off from
his foot kicking her in the breast In vain she
raised her imploring looks and arms towards
him in vain She sought to touch his stony
heart with all that intense despair, and the
clinging love for youthful, joyous existence,
could breathe into the words, the voice, and
the tears Of a helpless being The villain.
harder than granite, grew every moment more
cruel and savage. Raging with impaticnce,
he caught her by the hair, forced back her
head, drew his knife from his boot, and was
about to plunge il in her throat.
"Oh, oh! for the love of heavcn!" sobbcd
the unfortunate girl, beside herselfat the sight
Of the terrible knife; "hang mc!-hang nc! /!
No bloody death Mercy mercy! Hang
me rathcr!"
"Ay, ay," he said. with hideous grin; $50
you can speak at last. Why did you not say
SO at oncee have lost deal of time aIrea-
dy; still can't refuse you the favor: you
are such nice girl! Don't be afraid, Duna
You shall die in the pleasanteet manner. Il
is an ugly death that of the knife. If might
choose myself, would rather be hanged than
knouted, when my time comes. We will look
about for cord"
The wretched girl, powerless in mind and
body through terror, cold as ice, trembling
and almost lifcless, submitted to all his COM
mands The rope was soon found, and the
murderer returned with his victim to the
same room where the remains Of the break
fast still stood upon the table. He threatened
to kill her instantly il she stirred from the
spot where she stOod-placcd chair OF the
table-and sprang nimbly upSm it, Having
fastened the rope round TIE Lcam, he drew
the knife from his boct, crt off the projecting
part OF the rope, stuck the knife into the
beam, ana sct about making double running
KNOT or inc -Ope. Duna stood motionless in
the micIlc Of the room heat and cold rushed
alternately through her frame; sparks of fire
danced before her eyes she saw nothing; she
did nothing but pray, confess her sins, COM
mend herself to all the saints, and mentally
bid farewell to all that was dear to her in life
Presently, presently, my preciOus?" said
the murderer, going on with his work "you
shall see how nicely l will hang you. l am
not new hand at the job. no you see now,
all is ready; only we must try whether the
rope is strong enough. | would not for the
world you should fall to the ground and break
your ribs 1t il for your interest and my
own that-Draw the chair away from under
my feet" ----.-..
DunA unconsciously went up to tho table,
and drew away the chair; whilst the rObbcr
held the rope fast in both hands, having slipp-
ed It over one arm up to the elbow, to convince
himself Of lts strength by swinging on it with
the whole weight Of his body.
Push the table aside" Duna did so.
IAN right: it is . CapitalrOpe; twill bear
more than y0u-yoU and me together"
He now let 60 thH rope, intending to jump
to the ground Apparently it was his purpose
to startle the poof girl by the bold and sudden
leap; but the moose intended for her, gliding
along bis arm, caught him fast by the wrist
Dumas executioner, had, IN fAct hanged him
self by the hand.
Though experiencing the most accute pain |;
he wished to conceal his critical position from
the girl, that she migt not avail herself Of it to
escape. He tried TO reach The imprisoned
hand with his left but the weight Of his body
prevented his bringing bis shoulders parallel.
Suddenly he began to whirl and fling himself