The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-09-17
COL. DEM. ---V0L. XXXIII.. mo. 80.

He gave me q letter. 1t was too dark
% read outside, and entered his room.
A lighted lamp stood upon the table.
vat down and read the letter which was
rom James's mother, urging him to
,ome home instantly.
"You thought ! was mad at you be-
,ausc you made love to Minnie. But
you were mistaken, old boy, for look at
this letter." said he handing me anoth-
er. 1t was letter apparently from
young girl, although the handwriting
was rather masculine. 1t was dated
rom the slme New England village in
which James's mother was living, and
its contents breathed intense love for
him. 1t was signed "Annie."
EYES," replied he, in answer to my
questioning look. "I'll marry Annie
as soon as l set my foot in my native
village"
"Won't you wait until the bans are
published ?" asked 1, with laugh.
"Not Il minute. I'll 60 straight to
her house, take her to the next parson
who, for money and good words, will
soon tie the knot! Now" continued he
after pause, during which he took a
bottle and two tin cups from a shelf
above his bed; "now let's drink to the
health Of our intended brides" And
he filed the cups.
"Hold on, James! First let me know
what is in the cups?" said l.
"Your intended father-in-law gave
mea bottle of Angelica wine. He said
it was the best he had in his cellar"
answered James.
like sweet wine and I took the cup
"Here is the health and prosperity OF
Annie!" exclaimed l, emptying the
cup.
"Here's TO Miss Minnie, who l am
sure, will be the best and truest Of
wives" was the toast of James, who
too emptied his cup.
"Now here is a real Uavanam said
he, taking some cigars from his pocket
and handing one to me, which 1 light
ed. Then settling back into the chair
listened to detailed account of his pre-
vious life. The narrative seemed very
unintcrcsting to me, and was wishing
inwardly that it would soon end, for
had to go to S. that very same
night on business connected with thu
mill.
Gradually the light became dim, ant
the voice of James sounded hollow.
tried to tell him to trim the lamp ant
speak little louder, but my lips onl,
moved, and not sound came from m.
throat. The tobacco smoke is chokin,
me, thought 1 casting my eyes towart
my right hand, which was slowly slip
ping from the edge of the table upo
which was lying the half consumed ci
gar. Strange that l felt no pain as til
hand struck the sharp corner of tn
chair. l tried to rise, but my endeay
ors were vain. Some heavy weight az
peared to press upon my shoulders,
weight that / could not shake off.
lifted my eyes towards James, who wa
sitting opposite me. My God! Was
an hallucination of my whirling brair
or was it reality?
saw, as if through haze, the eye
of James, glaring at me like those of
wild cat about to spring upon its prey
Every line of his features proclaime
hate-undying hate. He arose and cam
close to where sat.
His voice sounded to me like the roa
of thunder as he said:
"Aha! Pve got you now, my fine fe
low; this time am sure that you ne'
er, never can marry Minnie. Ten mil
utes more and you are dead. Oh it
no use, "cried he in a voice that pierce
my ears as he saw how l tried to shak
off the coils that seemed to bind me
the chair. "No use whatever, old boy
If would let you go now, you'd han
me. True enough, gipsy once sai
that I'd break my neck, but not upo
the gallows, no no! Some weeks ag
l tried to kill you, but it was alread
too dark to take good aim, and you e
capped"
"The letters you have perused al
nothing but forgeries. My mother h;
been dead these fou' years, and the gi
Annieis only creation of my brain
His voice seemed to lower to a viii
per as he continues:
"They will say that you have been
villain, that you fed few days befol
the day set for the wedding. MINI
will be very unhappy, and will do III
best to cheer her up. She would ha,
loved me had you not crossed my pat
with your fine talk and soft nonsen'
which won her affections"
'"Two minutes more" said he, after
pause, during which time he looked
his watch. 'Yes, two minutes mo-
and yonr soul will leave its miserab
body. Please give my best regards
His Satanic Majesty. Tell him SOON
or later l will join you in the fiery +
gions below. Your eyes are clOsir
now, your face has the hue of deaf
your limbs are getting cold, yes, cold
icc!"
felt the touch of his hot hand upt
my face. 1t seemed Ms If II thousal
needles were entering every part Of II
body; red blue obscured my visio
and it was becoming darker ! felt
if something was pressing upon N
heart, which now seemed to leave II
Dody; my breath became shorter ~
shortcr-all at once it stopped. cou
ted the beatings of my hcart-one, tw
, three, four, five, six Then all was G
liviOn.
4
opened my eyes, that is, / felt
opened them, as not ray of light f
upon the pupils. Darkness, impenetl
bic darkness was around me. Was /
the grave? | made an effort TO street
: out my hands. | succeeded. Tn
I moved through water which l now f