American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-04-12

strange suspicious suddenly crossed his
mind tha. there might be something in
this midnight adventure after all. Sup
pose he was led into some snare where he
was wanted to commit horrid deed
How could he escape? He looked be-
hind, but all was dark; there was no
backing out and besides, it might turn
out hoax; so on he pressed After
going, as it seemed to him mile, the pas
sage turned abruptly to the right, ;hey
assembled long flight of stone steps, and
after about half an hours walking, again
descended by means of rope ladder
On, on went the ghost, and after him
plodded De Mari, now beginning TO got
tired, and-it must be admitted-a little
shaky. However he was bound to see she
thing out, and so struggled on, now up
stairs, now down, till it seemed as though
they must have gone through the whole
village. At last they came to heavy
iron door, which swung open at a touch,
and admitted them to a long, narrow room,
hung with heavy damask drapcry at the
opposite end from which they entered
Two smoky lamps depended from the cell
ing, throwing a gloomy ligh- through the
apartment, which was entirely uufulnish-
ed. As De Mari entered, he cast hasty
glance around, and his eye falling on the
curtains, he was convinced that he saw
them move as though some person was
concealed behind their folds. This i'm
medratcly aroused his former suspicious,
which were not all allayed by the figure
producing huge double-edged sword
which it placed in his hand, and motion
ed him to thrust through the drapery.
The horrid truth at once flashed thro
his mind lie had been brought there to
commit a cold blooded murder? To slay
some innocent victim who had never
wronged him-one VIII m lie had never
seen. How could he commit such a hor.
rible deed Impossible?
With rosoluto determination he flung
the weapon from him, and started for the
door when the figure by his side quietly
laid its hand on his shoulder. 1t seemed
as though ten thousand electric shocks
had passed through his system from that
slight touch, and he screamed out in ag-
ony.
Oncemore it handed him the sword and
pointed to the drapery. The cold sweat
poured off in a steam, and, trembling in
every limb, poor De Mari dropped on his
knees aod begged the demon to let him
off But prayers and supplication were
alike in vain; it was immovable; there
was no getting out of the scrapo except
by doing as it directed him to. So, fold
ing his hands, De Mari essayed to say his
prayers, asked forgiveness Tor the crime
he was about to commit, etc, etc, and
again grasping the sword, advanced with
totsering feet towards towards the cur
tain. But his heart once more failed
him; he resolved to die rather than 90
through with the awful tragedy, and again
flung down the weapon. Once more the
spectre touched his shoulder, once MOI e
the blood chilled in his veins, and he fell
PROSTATE TO the floor.
On recovering he found the sword
again in his grasp, and the figure still
pointing its long finger towards the dra-
perry.
De Mari repeated his prayers, arose,
feeling that such another shock would be
worse than death, staggered forward, and
with all his remaining strength thrust the
sword through the curtain.
Did heart-rendiug shrek arise No ?
it was gurgliDg, choking groan which
fell on his ear, followed by an awful voice
which exclaimed:
Thunder and lightning! what are
you rauming your finger down my throat
for ~
And Walker kicked hlm out of bed.
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PRINTERS AND DocToRs An East