Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-03-05


straw. Here sleep gradually oblitrrated the
consciousness of misery. and bland dreams
waited his delighted spirit to scenes which
were once glowing realities for him, in whose
ravishing illusions he soon lost the remem-
brance that he was Tolf's prisoner.
When he awoke, it was daylight; but how
long he had slept he knew not. 1t might be
early morning, or it might b. sultry noon,
for he could measure time by no other note of
its progress then light ond darkness. He had
been so happy in his sleep, amid friends who
loved him, aAd the sweeter endearments of
those who loved him as friends could not, that
in his first moments of waking, his startled
mind seemed to admit the knowledge of his
situation, as if it had burst upon it for the first
time, fresh in all its appalling horrors. He
yazcd round with an air of doubt and amaze
mcnt. and took up handful of the straw
upon which he lay as though he would ask
himself what it meant. But memory. too
faithful to her office, soon unveiled the melan-
choly past, while reason shuddering at the
task. flashed before his eyes the tremendous
future. The contrast overpowered him. lie
remained for some time lamenting, like truth,
the bright visions that had vanished and re-
coiIing, from the present, which clung to him
as poisoned garment.
When he grew more calm, he surveyed his
gloomy dungeon. Alas the stronger light of
day only served to confirm what the gloomy
indistinctness of the preceding evening had
partially disclosed, the utter imposssibility OF
escape. AS, however. his eyes wandered
round and round, and from place to place, he
noted two circumstances which excited his
surprise and curiosity. The one, he thought.
mil ght be fancy; but the other was positive.
His pitcher of water, and the dish which con-
tanned his food had been removed from his
side while he slept, and now stood near the
door. Were he ever inclined to doubt this,
by surprising he had mistaken the spot where
he saw them over night. he could not, for the
pitcher now in his dungeon was neither Of
the same form nor color as the other. while
the food was changed for some other of better
quality. He had been visited therefore during
the night How had the person obtained en-
trancel Could he have slept so soundly. that
tho unlocking and opening of those ponderous
portal. were effected without waking him
lie would have said this was not possible, but
that in doing so, he must Admit a greater diff
ficultv, an entrance by other means, of which
he was convinced there existed none. 1t was
not intended, then, that hr should DO left to
perish from hunger. But the secret and mys-
terious mode Of supplying him with food,
SEEMED to indicate he was to have no opprr.
tunity of communicating with human being.
The other circumstance which had attracted
his notice, was tho disappearance, as no be-
lieved, of one of the seven grated windows
that ran along the top of his prison. lie felt
confident that he had observed and counted
them; for he was rather surprised at their
number, and there was something peculiar in
their form; as we'll rs in the manner Of their
arrangement at unequal distances. 1t WAS so
much easier, however, to suppose he was mis-
taken, than that portion of the solid iron.
which formed the walls, could have ESCAPED
from ts position. that he soon dismissed the
thought from his mind.
Vivpnzo partook of the food that was be-
fore him, without apprehension. 1t might be-
poisoned but if it were. he could not escape
DEATH should such be the design Of Tolli and
the quickest death would be the speediest re-
lease.
The day passed wearily and gloomily /;
though not without faint hope that, by keep
ing watch at night, he might observe when
the person came again to bring him food,
which he supposed he would do in the same
way as before. The mere thought Of being
approached by living creature, and the op-
potunity it might present Of learning the doom
prepared. or preparing, for him. impaired some
comfort. Besides, if he came alone might hs
not in furious onset overpower him: Or he
might be accessible to pity. or the influence
of such munifcent rewards as he could bestow, ,
if once more at liberty and master of himself.
Saw he were armed. The worst that could
vailed, was a faithful blow. which. though
dealt in damned cause, might work 3c-
sired end. There was no chance SO despe-
ratp, but it looked lovely in Vivenzio's eyes
compared with the idea Of being totally aban.
dOned.
The night came, and Vivenzio watched.
Morning came, and Vivenzio was confunded !!
H. must have slumbercd withou, knowing it.
Sleep must have stolen over him when ex-
hausted by fatigue, and in that interval Of fe-
verish rpposc, he had been bafflcd; for there
stood his replrnished pitcher of water, and
there his days meal! Nor was this all.
Casting his eyes towards the window Of his
dungeon, he counted but FIVE! Here was no
deception and hs was now convinced there
had been none the day before. But what did
all this portend into what strange and mys-
terious den had he been cast: He gazed till
his eyes ached; he could discover nothing to
explain tho mystery. That it was so he
knew. Why it was so. he racked his imagin-
alton in vain to conjecture. Heexamined the
doors. A single circumstance convinced him
they bad not been opened.
A wisp of straw, which he had carelessly
thrown against them the preceding day. as
ha naced To and fro. remained where he had