The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-07-22


Yes" replied he, in answer to my ques-
tioning look. ON marry Annie as soon as
set foot in my native village"
Won't you wait until the bans are pub
llshed9" asked | with laugh.
Not minute. I'll go 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 bottle and two tin
cups from shelf above his bed .'now let's
drink to the health of our intended brides. "
And he filled the cups.
'Hold on, James! First let me know what
is in the cupst' said |.
Your intended father-in-law gave me a
bottle of Angelica wine. He said that it was
the best he had in his cellar answered
James
like sweet wine, and l took the cup.
Here's to Miss NIinna, who, am sure
will be the best and truest of wivesr' was
the toast of James, as he too emptied his
cup.
Now here is 4 real Havana said hs
taking some cigars froinhis pocket and hand
ing one to me which lighted. Then settling
back into the chair listened to detailed
account of his previous life. The narrative
seemed very uninteresting to me, and | WAS
wishing -iawardly that itwould soon eilats fol-.
l had got to go to s., that very same
night on business connected with the mill.
Gradually the light became dim, and the
voice Of James sounded hollow. I tried to
tell him to trim the lamp and speak a little
louder; but my lips only moved, and not a
sound came from my throat The tobacco
smoke is choking me, thought l, casting my
eyes toward my right hand which was slow
ly slipping from the edge Of the table upon
which was lying the half consumed cigar
Strange that felt no pain as the hand struck
the sharp corner Of the chair. I tried TO
raise, but my endeavors We're in vain. Some
heavy weight appeared TO press upon my
shoulders, a weight which could not shake
of lifted my eyes towards James, who
was sitting opposite me. Good God! Was
it an hallucination of my whirling brain, or
was it reality?
| saw, as if through haze, the eyes of
James glaring at me like those Of wild cat
about to spring upon his prey.
Every line in his features proclaimed hate
-undying hate. He rose and advanced close
to where [ sat.
His, voice sounded to me like the roar of
thunder, as he said:
''Aha. I've got You now, my fine fellow ;
this time | am sure that YOU never, never can
marry Minna. Ten minutes more and YOU
are dead. Oh! it's no use." cried he in a
voice that pierced my ears as he saw how
I tried to shake off the coils that seemed to
bind me to the chair mo use whatever,
old boy. If | would let You 60 now, you'd
hang me. True enough, a gipsey once said
I'd break my neck, but not upon the gallows,
no! no. Some weeks ago tried to kill You,
but it was already too dark to take good aim
and You escaped.
.ITha 1nt+a,-c Won bo1.a ,,ar,,va1 a,., n
but forgeries. My mother has been dead
these four years, and the girl Annie is only
creation OF my brain."
His voice seemed to lower to a whisper as
he continued:
They will say that You have been vii
lain. that you fled few days before the day
set for the wedding. Minna will be very un-
happy, and | will do my best to cheer her
up. She would have loved me had you not
crossed my path with your fine talk and soft
nonsense which won her affections"
Again he stopped.
''Twn minutes morc,' said he after a
pause, during which he looked at his watch :;
yes two minutes more and you soul will
leave its miserable body. Please give my
best regards to His Satanic Majesty Tell
him that sooner or later join you in the
fiery regions below. Your eyes are closing
now, Your face has the hue Of death, your
limbs are getting cold, yes, cold as ice.''
| felt the touch Of his hot hand upon my
face. 1t seemed as if a thousand needles
were entering every part of my body; a red
blur obscured my vision and it was becoming
darker and darker. l felt as if something
was pressing upon my head which now
seemed to leave my body, my breath became
shorter and shorter-all at once il stopped
| fta1t I aoup+a1 ba bo.f o1,fr bao,
one, tuo, three. tour, fire, sir! Then all
was oblivion.
l opened my eyes, that is felt opened
them. as not ray of light fell upon the pu-
pills Darkness, impenetrable darkness was
around me. Was I in the graye9 l made
an effort to stretch out my hands. | SUE
ceeded. They moved through water, which
now felt was eddying around my neck.
Where was T. Surely it was not a dream
for felt that | was thoroughly awake. |
raised my right arm to my head and my hand
came in contact with an iron rod upon which
my head was laying. Again the question
passed through my mind .'Where am | p
Soon, but too soon, the question was an
swered
Hark Iheard the sound Of distant voice
1t came nearer and nearer-yes, my ears did
not deceive me. 1t was the voice of George
our night watchman,
He was singing song The words of the
refrain came distinctly to my ears
" And for bonnie Annie Laurie
Idlay me down and die"
1t took all my strength to raise myself into
q sitting position. stretched out my arms
My hands came in contact with cold iron.
felt that was sitting upon something that had
a cylindrical shape, and the water was now
only up to my waist.
All at once the horrible truth came upon
my mind. Great God Of Heavens! was
mad No. no, not mad, but | felt that lu-
macy in the shape Of a terrible spectre was
approaching me--for the question was an
swered:
II ecas Imprisoned c'ihhin the steam bot7er!"
| began to shout:
"Help! George, for Gods sake help!'
But my voice sounded like that of muf-
fled bell Then commenced to pound with
my fists upon the iron. "Surely, George
must hear that thought |.
But no, he was whistling the tune of Yam
kee Doodle.
Once he stopped, and thrill of Joy ran
through me. Then he began again.
l felt my way to the head of the boiler, for
now heard that he was opening the furnace
doors. l knew we'll what he was going to
do Soon I heard scratching sound0he
was lighting a match. Then / heard the
rustling of shavings which he was throwing
into the furnace. This was shortly followed
by cracking sound.