Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1864-01-07
Waral.Gals.
THE EVIL HOLLOW.
A STRIKING INCIDENT OF REAL Llrs.

STRIKING INCIDENT OF REAL LIFH.
In tho town Of Catskill, on the HudB
son river, there dwelt, some. twenty
years ago, an attorney Of the name
Of Mason. He was in considerable
practice, and had two clerks in his
Office. whose namsp~ere Mansell and
Van Buren. In point of ability these
young men we're nearly on par, but
they differed widely in disposition.
Van Buren was cold, close, and some
what sullen in temper but in bust
ness shrewd, active, and persevering.
Mansell, although assidrans in his du-
ties, was of gayer temperament !;
open as the day. generous, confding,
and free.
Mason. without being absolutely
dishonest, was what is called keen
lawyer, his practice being somewhat
of the sharpest |; and as the DISPOSE
tion Of his elder clerk, Van Buren, as
simulated, in many respects, to his
own, he was great favorite-more
intimately in his confidence, and usu-
ally employed in those delicate matters
which sometimes occur in an attor-
ney's business, and in which the
straight forward honesty Of Mansell
might rather hinder than help.
Mason had q niece who, he being a
batchelor, lived with him in the ca
pacity Of housekceper. She was
lively, sensitive, and clever girl-vcry
pretty, if not positively handsome.
She bad Re grace of sylph, and the
step Of fawn. It was quite natural
that such q m&iden should be. an OBJ
ject Of interest 10 young men living
under the same rpof-and by no means
. matter Of establishment that one or
both Of them should fall in love with
her and both Of them did. But, az
the yoang lady had hut one heart, she
could not return the love Of each. It
is scarcely necessary TO say that. in
making her election, the choice fell
upon Edward Maissell. greatly TO the
chagrin Of his rival. and to the annoy
ance Of Mason, who would have been
better pleased to have found Van Bu-
rem the favored suitor. However.
Mxnsell was the chosea lover. and
Mason could not alter the case by ar
gumcnf; nor was be disposed to send
away his niece, who Was in some
measure, essential to his domestic
comfort--and, moreover, he loved her
as much as he could anything. Mat
ters went on in this way for some
time !; great deal Of bitterness and
rancOr being displayed by Mason and
Van Buren, on the one hand while
Kate and Edward Aansell found, in
the interviews they occasionally en-.
Iioyed, more than compensation for
tho annoyance to which they were
necessarily exposed.
II happened. at the time when Ed
wards engagement was within q
month Of its expiration, that Macon
had received sum of money, a
agent for another party. amounting to
nearly three thousand dollars. Of which
the greater portion was 10 gold coin
As the money could not cow veniently be
disposed Of until the following day. il
was deposited in tin box in the iron
safe, the key Of which was always il
custody Of Mansell. Boon after no re
ceived the charge. Van Buren quilted
the Office short time, and 10 the inte,
rim an application from . client rem
dered it necessary for Mausell to &c
up to the court house. Having des
patched his business ut the hall, be