Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1870-08-11

how he should delude any one, and allure
him to his death. But the devil had al
ready suggested dark schemes to him. The
treasure glittered before sScriyen'sgreedy
eyes, He fancied he saw ha1dfuls Of gold,
tdiaBAonds, and large bags of silver, and
between sleeping and waking he gave
himself up to these dangerous dreams.
After he was quite asleep, the master and
mistress,SWith their children and servants,
returned from church. ,s,.,,: rs.tf s..s
When he awoke in the morning he saw
4 Beneadik, who was arranging the htters Of
the animals. He did not know him, but
thaacaresses he bestowed on the OK from
time to time, as well as the sweet words
he exchanged in low tones with Marie
mix, who was helping her mother in the
kitchen. induced him to examine the
| plOwman moro carefully. Wickedness
had already established itself in Scriven's
/ heart. When he left the farm about
midday his wallet was well furnished
He looked forward to the Stones of Plou-
| lar and clear, like troop of soldiers
standing still upon field of battle. He
contemplated them for minute then he
went back to take another look at Benea-
tdik, and at last plunged into the heath,
| walking in the direction Of the sea.
Three or four days had passed. and the
short winters day had begun to close.
and the OF fhfninated sof1fY1fn tho sable,
blessing Heeysn that had Ffqpp ed Earth
IN q white shroud. :
No work could be done, and Beneadik,
whistling gsilF In spite aof the gkoBFfng
darkness, ass Striking one of the largest
of the HstSnes of Plo1hinee with a e6isal
and hammer. The pooE fellow was not,
hoy hOyeysE TselE gay fog the q pistrsss is Eh1
to him, had warned her husband, who at
once gave the P1uvigner lad notice to
leave. CWhen Beneadik asked the cause of
this abrupt dismissal, the master said, g A
man who has not twenty white pieces in
his pocket ought not to think of speaking
:, On this, poor Beneadik hung his head,
for,he had not more than twelve, although
he had received his wages at Christmas.
He had paid for the shoes he had bought
in autumn to dance at "Grand Pardon"
and he had put his Offering on the altar,
and In the priests purse, like good
Christian. li:i te- 'l.ei 1ot a!os b0
! TO console himself for the thought of
leaving Mariemik, he had begun to carve
something on q big stone, when he was
startled by hearings voice beside him, Il.
: ,S"Whatr are you doing ?''r asked the beg
gar Scriven; and Beneadik turned round.
1t seemed as if the other had suddenly
risen ont Of the earth. ssDoes the master
pay you to make drawings on the stones 2"
" The master has dismissed me--that is
what he has done,Y replied Beneadik. His
heart was full, and he was surprised at
the beggaras bold tone. "I I am to have
more time to myself than I want, and
meanwhile, that may find work, / am
marking this stone with the sign of my
salvatAon.c It is said that in former days
these stones have seen human. blood flow
in the devils service. It won't do any
L Co.. AI;a "a ~ haar ~, if Fl,n
/. And Beneadik quietly finished his work,
completing the cross he had begun to cut
upon the stone. II stf -t,-r
! - Listen to me-" said the beggar, in a
low voice. "What would you give me if
were to make you rich enough to marry
Mariemik to morrow if you like, or even
to look elsewhere and higher if you have
a mind to do sol 8 .,-.a
Beneadik's tools dropped from his
hands. "Rich," he gasped, in a choking
voice; "Mariemik" He was so much ex-
cited that he could not find words, but he
looked eagerly at the beggar. ~ -{I , Z
stones,P and he touched the large one on
which Beneadik had just cut the sign of
the cross, "wil this very night tear them
selves up from the ground on which they
rest, and, go to drink at the river Intel.
Under them is hidden a treasure SO great
that no eye has ever seen the like. A
single person would never be able to car
ry it off before the stones came back to
their place. but if you will help me, ]
swear by your patron saint that you shall
never again need to bow your head to any
man" H p 81 .-'. -,-i-- "a
Beneadik seized the beggar's hands in
his, not noticing how they trembled.. "If
YOU will only make me rich enough. to
obtain Mariemik from her father" he
cried, you may take all the rest; you
shall have my gratitude into the bargain,
and my services by day and by night, in
fair weather or foul; except Mariemik and
my hope of heaven, I will refuse you
nothing that you can ask of me"
ScriVen smiled; but it was dark by this
time, and, besides, Beneadik was too hap
py and too trustful to comprehend the look
of troubled Joy that passed over the face
of his companion. 't5.i's q
"I will stay here and watch beside the
stones" said the beggar. 81 have some
thing in my gourd that will keep out the
cold. You have still a place at the fire.
place and table of the farmhouse; go
back to supper, and when you look at
Mariemik say to. yourself that tomorrow
she will be yours if our enterprise sue
ceeds; and then at eleven O'Clock come
back here to me-" 5H.- .sttae
Scriyen was eager to get rid of Benea-
dix, fer the young mans gratitude weighed
upon. his mind till his remorse was insup-
supportable. at must be-" he kept re-
peating to himself; sand he is such
good Christian that he will go straight to
heaven" ss fstrse EySsT s. ,
Beneadik found it very difficult to con-
ceal his joy; in the darkest moment of
his grief a strange hope had risen before
him. Mariemik looked at him in amaze
ment; she had blushed when during that
day her mother had said in her hearing
that Beneadik was about to leave them to
seek his fortune elsewhere, but she had
bravely restrained her tears, waiting till
she was alone to weep. Now, however,
the Joy that she read in Beneadik's face
almost overcame her courage. Was he
then SO happy to go away from herr
Scriyen had desired him, above all
things, to keep their secret; but it was
well that it was for SO short time, or
Beneadik would never have been able to
be silent when he saw Mariemik's sad
looks. He stood for a moment before the
crucifx and repeated prayer; then turn
ing to take one more look at the young
girl, he went out to the stable, where he
could hide his agitation and his hopes; he
caressed the OK, who looked up at the