The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1864-11-18

and | grow mad in looking at it. Oh
for deep sleep to fall upon me-
That so, in deaths likness. | might
embrace death itself, and drink no
more Of the cup that is presented to
me, than my lainting spirit has al.
lrcady tastedr
In the midst Of these lamentations.
INivenzio noticed that his accustomed
meal, with the pitcher of water, had
been conveyed, as before into bis
dungeon. But this circumstance no
longer excited his surprise. His mind
was overwhelmed with others ofa far
greater magnitude. 1t suggested,
however, feeble hope of deliycrance,
and there is no hope so feeble as
mot to yield some support to Il heart
blending under despair. lie resolved
to watch, during the ensuing night,
for the signs he had before observed;
and should he again feel the gentle
tremulous motion Of the floor or the
current Of air, to seize that moment
for giving aIdible expression to his
misery Some person must he near
him, and within reach of his voice, az
.tsa instant when the food was sup
piled: some one, perhaps, susceptible
of pity. Or if not, to be told even
that his apprchcnsions were just, and
that his fate was to bc what he fore.
boded, would be preferable to sus.
pcnsc which hung upon the possibili-
ty OF his worst fears being visionary.
The night came; and as the hour
approached when Nivenzio imagined
he might expect the signs, he stood
fixed and silent rs statue He fear
ed to breathe, almost lest he might
lose any sound which would warn him
Of their coming. While thus list
cning, with every faculty of mind and
body strained to an agony of attcn
.~,, - ,"o"",o1 ~ him ho ehonll ~,
more sensible Of the motion, probably,
if he stretched himself along the iron
floor He accordingly laid himself
softly down, was certain of it, the
noor moved under him! lie sprans
up, and in voice sulfocated nearly
with emotion. called aloud. He paus-
ed, the motion ceased, he ielt no
stream of air, all was hushed, no voice
answered to his, he burst into tears;
and rs he sank to the ground, in re
newed anguish, exclaimed, "Oh, my
God! my God! You alone have power
to save me now, or strengthen me for
the trial you permit
Another morning dawned upon the
wretched captive, and the fatal index
of doom met his eyes. Two win
dows. and two days, and all would
be over! Fresh food, fresh water!-
The mysterious visit had been paid,
though he had implored it in vain.--
But how awfully was his prayer an
'swered IN what nc now saw! The
roof of the dungeon was within foot
of his head The two ends were so
near, that in six PAGES he trod the
space between them. Nivcnzio shud
dercd rs he gazed, and as his steps
travcrsed the area. But his feelings
no longer vented themselves in fran
tic wailings. With folded arms, and
clenchcd teeth, with eyes that were
hloodshot from much watching and
fixed with vacant glare upon the
ground, with hard quick breathing,
and buried walk, he strobe back
ward and forward in silent musng tor
several hours. What mind shall con-
cieve, what tongue utter, or what
pen describe the dark and terrible
character Of his thoughts? Like the
fate that moulded them, they had no
similitude in the wide range OF this
worlds agony for man. suddenly
he stopped, and his eyes were riyeted
upon the part of the wall which was
over his bed Of straw. Words arc
inscribed there! a human language,
traced by human hand. He rushcs
toward them; but his blood freezes as
he reads
/ II, Ludovio Storza, tempted by the
gold of the Prince Cf Tolf, spent
three years in contriving and exc
cutting this accursed triumph Of my
art. When it was completed, the
perlidious Tolh, more devil than man,
who conducted me hither one morn
inc, TO be witness, as he said, of its
Derfection, doomed me to be the first
victim Of my own pernicious skill;
lest, as he declared, ! should divulge
the secret, or repeat the effort Of my
ingenuity. May God pardon him, ms
1 hope he will me. that pIinisiered to
his unhallowed purpose! Miserable
wretch, whoe'er thou art, that rcadcst
these lines, fall OH thy knees and in
woke, rs | have done, His sustaining
mercy, who alone can nerve thee to
meet the vengence of TolG, armed
with his tremendous engine which, il
n few hours, must crush you, as il
will the needy wretch who made it. -
A deep groan burst from Viyenzio
He stood, like one transGXed, viii
dilated eyes, expanded nostrils, anC
quivering lips, gazing at this lata
| Inscription. 1t was rs if avoice from
the scpulchrc had sounded in hi
, ears. "Prepare!" Hope forsook him
: There was his sentence, recorded II
| those dismal words. The future
, stood unveiled before him, ghastl,
! and appalling. His brain alread.
feels the dcccnding horror, his bone
A! seem to crack and crumble in tn
S mighty grasp of the iron walls! Uu
G knowing what it is he does, he fun
!, bles in his garments for some weapo
/ of self-destruction lie clenches hl
Iu.oo+ Ia b;o oonyulsiVp crime rs If Ii