The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-07-22
WESTMINSTER, MD. THURSDAY MORNING. JULY % 1862
ned to change bis dress and scal.sr

his orders, while his sons AMI William
Alvcrn hastened to their apartments to
exchange their war-stained for garments
beftting the occasion.
Huron st. Maur, coward at heart,
and villain in mind, had as he said,
given his parole at De,roit-given il
before the dotard Hull disgraoed the
American arms, with bloodless surreu
der to an inferior force; Huron St. Maur
was traitor as well as poltroon. lie
had long loved his cousin Clara, both
for the wealth t at would be hers and
for her lovely person. lie was the son
Of the Generals youngest sister, and
his father had been French officer
who served under La Fayette. Both
father and mother sprang from brave
aud warlike line, but the son had 10.
herited none Of their noble traits. A
shrewd schemer, cowafdly plotter, aud
selfish, unscrupulous man. Huron
St. Maur had lived thirty years without
one worthy deed. The name and in-
duence OF his uncle had obtained for
him captains commission, but the tap
Of the drum, and the fume of gun pow
der always drove his watery blood from
his cheeks. Glad to forsake the field
for the carpet, he had returned to his
uncle's to push his suit for the heart
and hand OF Clara D.inemart But he
met blank repulse, for both we're already
pledged to the handsome and brave
William Alvern, young man of noble
character, good descent aud rising fame.
Had he dared, Huron st. Maur would
have fought his rival for the prize, but
his craven soul instinctiyely shrank
from combat with the young Tennes.
seean. St. Maur had already enough
wealth to content any but mercenary
spirit, but grasping eagerly for more,
aud infatuated with the beauty Of his
cousin, he would have sold his salvation
to call her aud her fortune his own.
When left by his uncle in the parlor,
as | have related, he hurried from the
house with throbbing heart aud burn
ing brain. He had not dreamed that
the marriage was to be SO sudden, and
all that day he had prayed to the evil
spirits he worshipped to guide lead and
steel to the heart Of his rival. Now he
saw him returned triumphant-a victor
and a bridegroom.
lie hastened to do what his wicked
mind had long beeu plotting. Ere many
minutes had passed he stood in the pri,
vate Office Of 40 Italian apothecary aud
chemist, a bastard who would have
taken thousand lives for as many gold
pieces, if no danger Of detection should
menance him; a lean and withered oil
miser, who looked upon all mankind as
81 many vermin, deeming gold the only
valuable thing on earth SO said report,
aud Huron believed it. Who can ex-
plain the insanity Of such avarice, for
Garlic Berbi made no use of his wealth,
save to gloat over it iu grim solitude.
"I've come for the almond" said
Huron, as the chemist raised his small
black eyes to him.
"Have you brought the price, young
MANI"
Huron threw a purse upon the table
Carlo counted out the yellow coins one
by one, trying the weight aud ring of
each, until he had numbered hundred.
"Right !" said he as he swept them
into his pouch and slowed them in his
bosom. ~ only wish could sell a sack
dt double almonds at that price-s5OO
| a NUT
Carlo Berbi then nrodueed n large
almond neatly balyed containing twin
kerpals, one Of which was chipped at
each end
"Wboeyer swallows this" said the
Italian, holding uo the marked almond
-1 does himself no harm: but I wouldn't I
be he who shall eat the other Do not
make a mistake"
aNever fearD said Huron. ma the
chemist glued The halves nicely .ogs,h. :.
ar "Bnt how long does il ,ats To effsc,
its nurnose Po
nTbree bours--ond leaves m ,race
nv vouno friend Won ordersd this 10
he made ready three weaks moo and von
had no, callsd far !, I ha,ao - ~
vour courags had s,;led voyn
nThs ,;1o b,a nos arr;v.dp s.;d
| Huron as he nlaced ,bs almood in his
vest But felI me old man have ws
not met before p
aWbsrs nn,;, ,brse wsels s;,ce yp
ain Italv wh,rs ! lived soms svs
,..-s aro rh..a : - 49,. - =.
your voice that rem;nds me Of some one
know II Romo sa;J unroa S