The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1861-01-09


from the little scow which rocked out
side.
The faint light revealed Brantly
seated on box, and listening will
an affectation of Indifference to the
rapid words of thick set, elderl,
man, who was pacing up and down thu
narrow room
"I'know you are brave to a fault
Bill; if I was not certain Of that, !
would not have sought you here TO-
night. | need brave man to exc
cute perilous commission for me, anf
you are the very man to do it,"
Don't you be too sure of that Mr.,
Rovineau," broke in Brantly, hal
offended by the confident tone of hiI
companion.
Don't interrupt me-" continued
Rovineau calmly. ado you think
you are unknown to me ? True, ]
never saw your face till within the last
six months, and this is only the third
time that words have passed between
US, but I tell you, sir, | have not lived
to my age for nothing. Faces are a
study to me, and in yours 1 have read
far different story from that told by
your smiling lips, which have duped
the honest folks over yonder into the
belief that you are a mere groveIle1
like themselves, satisfied with enough
to eat, drink and enjoy. You were
never put into the world to grind
wheat and tell big stories for clowns
to swallow your destiny will never
let you content yourself with such g
primitive employment. I can tell you
your character better than you know
it. Shall I do it ?"
POUNDS " calculated Brantly
starting from his seat, and then resu
ming it, ashamed of his emotion,
You need mt look at fellow al
though you would take his head off
must you /? IF you've got anything
to say, say it, and not keep maj
here in this damp hole till day break
with your cant about destiny ant
character, and all that. What doe
it matter to me, what you think you
know about me and my destiny? ans
wer me that will you ?"
Shall l tell you what you are p
again asked the stranger, undisturbet
by the petulence Of his companion. :
You are man who does not no
fear death in the pursuit Of your OWL
purposes. You are too crafty to feal
detection, let the risks be what they
may and when you have once entered
upon a course, you are bound to pur
sue it to the end, let what obstacle
there will impede you. Had circum-
stances been propitious, you would
have been powerful for good; the,
have been adverse, and | find in you
nature strong and uncontrolled, whic1
| will direct and you can but choos
to obey Cunning, | know you are
else you, who are so Infinitely superi
or in capacity to those around you
could never have disarmed suspicion
for the weak are naturally prone t
suspect those whom they see to be SD
perior in craft to themselves. Have
not spoken truly 2"
Brantly had risen while the othe
was speaking. and though his counte
nance had changed more than once
before the steady gaze of the piercin
eye fixed upon him, it now bore onl
its habitnal expression of courageou
frankness.
Cunning eh y he had said to hin
self, when Royineau made the assel
tion. Yes, and though you al
something in that line y oursclf, 20
shall find, my master, that can equ'
you if it is worth my while. Does I'll
old fellow suppose that am fo'
enough to tell him, / wonder, at h
discernment ?n
Then suddenly addressing his con
panion, he said in an animated tone
Right ! Mr.. Rovinean. That
me, and nobody else. You've hit I'll
mark there II you want anythin
done, ] am not particular how spic
it is Of danger if / say, ri do ii
mird ye, its as good as done. Bl
! bark ye, neighbor, since you preter