The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1868-01-02

IoastS were Ireely drank, and topics OF
the war discussed, till their merriment
was interrupted by the loud report of fire.
arms in the street. Several rushed down
stairs to miugle in the supposed disturb
ance, among whom were our two worthless,
Austin and his cousin. Some lanterns
fickered at a short distance, and owing
to their almost intoxicated state, they ad-
vanced, with staggering footsteps, to the
spot where a crowd seemed to be congre-
gated. Four men, for such the whole
company amounted to, were evidently
watching tAe arrival of some one, they
bore arms aud were wrapped up in over
coats, fully equipped for journey. On
the unwary cousins approaching, one of
them came forward, and looked into their
vacant faces. He nodded significantly to
his companions as he again turned the
light upon them, and addressed Austin
as the latter essayed to speak:
Another drink to the success of the
Mountain, eh. Come, boys, another
drink, fill for the Lieutenant, we'll all be
merry. a poor heart that never rejoices
- aint it, old fellow!"
Yes, another drink, fill comrades, but
what fuss is up who fired? Drink"
1t was Costardo who spoke thus, hav-
ing INDUCED himself more freely in the
pleasures of the evening =" Drink, but
not to the Mountain" he repeated.
The other three now joined them, and
general round was served. All but
Austin drank, upon which he took Cos
tardo's arm to bring him away. But the
leader interposed saying:
Attention, Lieutenant, this ere gen.
tleman aint recruit, be soldier and
4 villain" interrupted a voice, which
caused Austin to start and drop Costardo's
arm.
A Villain, Silas, no less = do you
hear?" and man, from an adjoining
doorway, stepped out and confronted him
with bold firmness. The old soldier who,
as friend, signed himself the g GUILTY" I"
was indeed there, and having flashed
his audacious accusation, quickly turned
to Austin and exclaimed -
Lost, lost! l warned you in vain,
boy, and could do no more This night
l will tell you all, but it's too late, too late,
you have scented out the track of your
enemies. You see them There they
arei"
He pointed with his finger at the men,
and added: =
MIR. Edgerton, postpone your nights
work. 1t is not becoming one of your
years to commit deed of blood. The
boy is innocent, and able to reward you
far better than the vampire who styles
himself his father, and who, if you actu-
ally succeed in your undertaking, will
cheat you to your face, and perhaps hand
you over to the law and hang you. Mur-
der will out = Remember!
Ha, ha, ha!
And the miscreaut threw back his head,
and laughed again derisively
You preach repentance and faith, ha,
ha, ha; speak to US in parallels, eh? The
kingdom of heaven shall rejoice now
since the buccaneer, who slipped the
plank under fifties, has become saint -
See you rotten -souled apostate," he added
with flushing anger, "where are the
thirty pieces you received for Silvio, or
the cries that your dead heart were indif-
ferent to when your knife entered his
bosom? You preach then to us, do you,
eh?" and as he spoke he raised his clench-
ed fist aud struck him on the face His
three companions were at work on the
signal, and our drunken friends were in
stantly disarmed, and lying upon the pave
ment, uttering curses and threats. They
we're kept in this condition but a few min
utcs, when their leader. having almost
strangled his victim, drew a cloth from a
leathern pouch and laid it upon their
faces They were soon silent and uncon-
scious The cloth was saturated with
chloroform.