The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1868-09-05

yawn. opened it in the most indolent and in
different manner possible, but had nc
read q dozen words before he came up wit
a start. turned deadly pale and trembled g
that the paper ratified. He finished th
nOte-for il was rather note than letter
worked one hand nervously at his throat an
with the other be elapsed his forehead an
temples. For 4 minute or two he seemed t.
be choking into salmness, by his iron will
some terrible emotion, and he so far sue
ceeded as TO address the waiting servant ii
an ordinary tcne.
James" he said, .'who gave you thi
letter o.
"A man, sir, and said he'a wait for a,
answer"
Then ! sspposs = he's waiting I"
Every we'll, show him in.''
Soon there vas light tap at the door,
and the banker said ''come in" in an ordi
nary tone.
The servant opened the door, usEered il
the stranger and Immediately withdrew. The
latter was q man verging on sixty, Of rough
appearance and attire. He wore an ole
grey overcoat, buttoned to the throat and q
pair of green goggles, and las whole drees
was saturated with rain.
Take seat " said the banker ppintine
to ehair near the fire.
:. No. thank you. I'll stand" was the gruf
reply, You got my letter, and Of course
know my business" he added.
"You allude to this, / suppose" replied
the banker, producing the letter which had
caused him so much pertcbation.
Yes"
II do not understand it. You must have
made 2 mistake"
" No, no mistake at all. I was presen,
twenty years ago the tenth day of October
aid saw you. Stephen Edwards, shoot the
man-and if you 60 and deny it. I'll have
you in prison before morning. I've laid my
plans and got everything sure; and if you
90 to playing innocent aud refuse my terms,
I'll take care to see you die stretching
hemp"
Thebanker turned pale in spite of himself.
shuddered and struggled 70 seat.
81 can't give tit would ruin NO."
"Just as you say" reloined the other,
moving towards the door ".you know what
will follow if go this way"
He argued, urged and implored for mercy
at less fearful cost. In vain. At last the
banker-seeing ruin. disgrace and death
before him if he refused-agreed to terms.
He agreed to meet the stranger, with the re-
quired sum on the following night, in front
Of St. Raul's Church. Both were punctual to
the fixed time, and bills and checks to the
amount of one hundred thousand dollars
changed hands.
A month later there was tremendous
run on the bank of which Stephen Edwards
was the principal owner. It was soon broken
and closed. Then the Sheriff was set to
4ks-sas.sasSe;1 e;1a:.,rs- apd all the rs.l e.-
os.;,s se sns r.rs seI.sS sad ssd e ihs
berear and just claims unsatisied. Fash
ionable friends deserted the family and the
proud nobleman refused the hand Of TIE
bankers accomplished daughter. -.
In the very midst Of his Disgrace and tri-
bulatiun, Stephen Edwards encountered the
man wno had turned pale and became so
asitated in his presence short time before.
=. l rather think you do not know me sir
said the gentleman with formal bow.
"Your face seems somewhat familiar. but
I cannot name you," returned Stephen Ed
wards.
"Perm;t me to bring myself TO your se'
collection, then, as wish you to know Me
little more than six weeks ago was talk
ing to you on business and you observed
that l turned deadly pale and became
agitated." ,,
"Let me tell you why | was thus affected
Ny eye had just Glanced on a curious SEQ
| which had once belonged to a merchan
named Philip Sidney. who was shot IN tn
western part of this State some twenty
years ago; knew you to be the villain wn
committed the foul deed.
1 %7H
banker with a blanched face and quakinl
form.
=" and week after disguised myself AM
had an interview with yoe IL your own man
sion. You renienber that, OF course"
"But" gasped the trembling wretch
did / not pay you % your own price to zee
.Yes, and with that very money. an
with other could command. was enable
to buy up enough cf your own bills to max
that run upon your bank that broke it an
force,3 ruin upon YOU" :.
"What would you do now. that am ruined!
INQUIRED the other, with the deadly calmne'
of desperation.
"Now that have had my revenge. wal
vou ia kasy ta,at I myself am the man 20
ATTEMPTED to murder and did rob. a
Phillip Sidney! Behold where the ba
struck and glanced" and be took OF b
hat and showed Il.
"Gcd be praised ~ calculated the other
l.s God be praised That yo0 are stal living
md unable to restraia his emotion be bur
INTO tears. ~Oh, )" he continued. "ye
have taken load from my soul. Thoue
. poverty, beRxary and Disgrace are starin
!, ne in the face, I am not guilty Of morde
and am more happy than have been
. twenty years, with all the luxurious gu
! rouudincs of wealth. It was my first Al
last crime. have. nevar been able to te
; how -wss tempted TO 20 outrage my natu
,. ss on that fearful occasion. Now. sis.
: With me what you v;ll-only pray yon.
: mercifui to my innocent family"
. II foreivs YOU" returned the other.
tsndine bis hand-.I forgive you. 4
heve been fearfully punished aheadys md
/ God has seen proper to preserve 10 and or'
! us toeother. let % hope, for oar present .
futnfe salvation. to endeavor 20 to live a.
= deserve the blessings We receive. wiz
store you enoogh to place you and your tan
;. " above want, and for the rest. trust
= shall have to render an account IN anoSf
l. world" :,
= Philip Sidney kept his word. and WIT
!. start in the world. and IN easy conscien
: tbs still enterprising Stephen Edwards
i ertisulated another respectable fortune, mu
!. Of which be spent in charity.
!" Philip Sidney disd in fo45, and Sterh
3 Edwards in 1851. So
= /, not truth, indeed, stranger thsn fiction
n In Michigan the Denpcrets report y
:, |. thev are thoroughly organised end are 9
sr tain TO carry the Ststs :Scasa nao'0s"I
). negro sadtage and Probioit'9%a % ~.