Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1863-07-17
The Fatal Test,
BY WILLIAM II. BUSHNELL,

One night, while seated in the room Of
classmate at the - University, the
subject of courage came up for discussion
and divers were the opinions advanced as
to what it truly was, and what would be
a proper test to prove the true metal from
the false. The argument waxel warm,
and twelve o'clock found US far from any
decision.
Albert C, scion of Louisiana,
had been particularly boastful, and longed
for a chance to have his Southern bravery
put to the trial, boldly avowing that no
Northerner ever possessed one 1.-THE of the
nerve and disregard OF danger that be-
longed to his warmcr-blooded brothers.
This was, of course, denied and Frank
L, New Hampshire boy, and cold
and passioness as his own granite noun
tains, strenuously maintained that directly
opposite was the case that the fiery ar
dor of the South was like gunpowder-a
fash, and nothing more-a furious sound,
ending in smoke while that of the North
was like thrice heated steel, glowing and
lasting to the very death.
81 dare do anything that you dare, y
replied Albert, his anger getting the bet
ter of his judgment at having been de-
feated in the argument as well as at the
taunts freely leyelel at his sunny land.
Dare you? We will see my boy
Wait here, all of YOU, until | return" +"
and Frank took his hat and disappeared.
We heard his firm step upon the stairs
heard him open and shut the door, and
saw his tall form for moment in the
street. Then it was lost to us, for the
night was intensely dark and stormy
The rain swept round the corners in gusts,
and the wind fairly ratified the windows
and howed down the chimneys. 1t was
Just the night to make one think Of ghosts
the dead-evcrything that the soul
shrinks from communion or fellowship
with.
L knuw not il other minds dwclt upon
such themes as mine did, but certainly a
spell appeared to have fallen upon all, for
silence took the place of noisy discussion
and the room that a few moments before
had rang with loud debate was undisturb-
cd as the tomb. A half whispered 81
wonder where he has gone" were the
only words spoken until Frank returned
shook the slecty drops from his person
coolly took lis scat, lighted his pipe, and
renewed the conversation with an air oi
perfect unconccrn.
81 have fulfilled my part of the con-
tract, now fulfil yours" he said.
"Well, what have you done where
bcen?' questioned Albert, still defiant.
You know-all Of you-the vault in
the old graveyard on the opposite corner
YOU know it. for we were in it this very
morning, and remarked the peculiar man
ncr in which the collins had been placed.
They form, as you will remember, three
sides OF square, the fourth being the
door at the foot Of the steps. Well,
have be II there-have crawIel down the
long steps-entercd the vault in all it'
darkness ana fanciful horrors-walked t,
the extreme end, and placed my watcl
and chain on the pile of decayed coffin,
there. You 60 and bring it, Arthur
aIone-without light. as have done
and will own that you, at least, are a'
brave as Northern men,"
\ thrill Of horror-a sickening, chill
ing sensation took possession of us all a,
we fully drank in the purport Of his slow
ly uttered, carefully measured words
and every eye was turned upon the South
erncr, to mark the effect upon hila.-
Truly he was like marble , Every droE
of the ruddy blood that u-ually goweC
beneath his soft checks had been driver
back to his heart, and he stood like on
entra lcel. That he was nerving himssli
for the task plainly saw ; and that his
entire nature shuddcred at the bart
thought of going alone and in darkness
into the mouldy abode of the ancien
dead, was equally plain TO me. Nothing
but his pride kept him from at once con
tossing his fear; and well indeed woult
it have been if even that had failed.
f Frank is but joking" | said, anxious
to break the stony silence, and to awake
myself and companions from the dread
, ful nightmare that had seized every heart
, in its icy clutches.
!, "I-shall-go-and-see ~ was tn
| reply from the ashy lips that almost re
1 Al