Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-19
THE HIDDEN HAND.

THE HIDDEN HAND.
BY EMMA D. N. soUTHwoRTH,
Author of the "Bride Of an Evening," "Deserted
WIFE" Etc, Etc, Etc.
CONTINUED.
"Have you got through" asked the man
at the door, rapping impatiently
.'No, no." said I, as directed.
HE resumed his tramping up and down
and | went back to my patient. She beck
oned me to come close, and whispered
tSave my child the living one I mean
hide her, oh, hide her from him When
he demands the babe, give him the poor
little dead one-he cannot hurt that And
he will not know there was another. Oh,
hide and save my child y
'sMaster, was used to queer doings, but
this was little the queerest. But if I was
to conceal that second child in order to save
it, it was necessary to stop It's mouth, for it
was saualling like wildcat So I took a
vial Of paragoric from my pocket and gave
it drop, and it went off to sleep like an
angel | wrapped it up warm, and lay it
along with my shawl and bonnet, in dark
corner. Just then the man raped again.
'Come in, MASTER" said I. 1~
ssNo, bring me the babe" he said
Il took up the dead infant. Its mother
kissed its brow, and dropped tears upon its
little cold face and | carried it to the man
outside Fea Ia
SIS it asleep?" the villain asked me.
eyes, master, ''said I, as / put it, well
wrapped up in his arms, Every sound a.
sleep" & e. as@
$50 much the BETTER" said the knave,
walking away.
Il bolted the door, and went back to my
patient With her free hand she seized
mine and pressed it to her lips, and then
held up her left hand, pointed to the we'd
ding ring upon her third finger.
q Draw it off and keep it," she said !;
'conceal the child under your shawl, and
take her with you when you go save her,
and your fortune shall be made" f5ga
I declare, master, I hadn't time to think
before [ heard one Of them wrctches rap at
the door sAr gG ng9Aag4
Come get ready to CO. he said.
She also beckoned me. [ fastened to
her. With eager whispers and imploring
gestures, she prayed me to take her ring
and save her child.
But you, said I-swho is to attend YOU 2
L do not know nor care Save her'
The rapping continued. I ran to the
corner where had left my things. [ put
on my bonnet, made sort of sling around
my neck Of the silk handkerchief, opened
the large part Of it like hammock, and
laid the little sleeping babe there Then
folded my big shawl around my breast and
nobody sny the wiser. The rapping was
very impatient.
I am coming said [.
Remember whispered the poor girl.
L WILL said |, and went and opened the
door, There stood tother william with his
hat covered with black Grape. I dreamt Of
no thing but black-headed demons for six
months afterward.'
Are you ready?' says he
Yes, your worship says l.
Come along, then
And binding another silk handkerchief
round my eyes, he led me along
Instead Of my mule, carriage stood
near the horse block.
Get in, says he, holding the pistil to my
ears by way Of an argument.
I got in. He jumped up upon the dri-
ver's seat, and we drove like the wind In
another direction from which we come, in
course, for there was no carriage road
there. The carriage whirled along at such
a rate it made me quite giddy., At last
it stopped again. The man in the mask got
got down anu opened the door. s.g
Where are you taking me?' says I.
BE quiet says be, Or and with
that he put the pistil to my cheek, and Or
dercd me to get out, take the bandage from
my eyes, and walk before him. did so,
and saw dimly that we were in part Of
the country that was never at before.
We were in dark road through a thick
forest. On the left side Of the road, in
clearing, stood an old house dim light
was burning in lower window.
Go on in there said the william, put
ting the pistil to the back Of my head. AS
the door stood ajar, went in to narrow,
dark passage, the man all the while at my
back. He opened a door on the left side,
and made me 60 into a dark room. Just
then the unfortunate child, that had been
moving restlessly, began to wall. Well, it
might, poor starved thing. 80
Whats that . says the misoreant, un-
der his breath and stopping short.
1t amt nothing, sir, says !, and hush
h-h' to the badly. But the poor little
wretch raised squall.
What is the meaning Of this 2 says he.
Where did that child come from? Why
the demon don't you speak 2 and with that
he seized me again By the scruf Of the
neck and shook me. 80: .a3 3.
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