Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-08-11

ready suggested dark schemest 70 him. The
treasure FILTERED before Servers greedy
eyes. He lancied he saw hAndful1 Of gold,
| diamonds, and large bagS Of silver, and
between sleeping and waking he gave
himself up 70 these dangerous dreams.
After he was quite asleep, the master and
mistress, with their children and servants,
returned from church.
When he awoke in the morning he saw
Beneadilk, who was arranging the litterS Of
the animals. He did NOT know him, but
the esfesses he bestowed on the OK from
time TO time, as well a. the sweet words
he exchanged in low tones with Marie
mix, who was helping her mother In thu
h1tchen, induced him TO examine thu
bowman more carefully. Wickednen
m already established itself IN 6crfven'l
heart When ne LEFT the farm about
midday his wallet WAS well furnished
He looked forward 70 the Stones OF Plou-
hinec, which stood out In the snow irregu-
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-
dix, 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.
The ground was still covered with snow,
and the OK ruminsted softly In the stable,
blessing Heaven that had wrapped earth
In white shroud.
No work could be done, and Beneadik,
whistling gsily, In spite Of the growing
darkness, was striking one Of the largest
Of the stones Of Plouhinec with chisel
and hammer. The poor fellow was mot,
however, really gay, for the mistress, who
had observed that Mariemik liked TO talk
TO him, had warned her husband, who at
once gave the PluviRner lad notice to
leave. When Beneadfk asked the cause Of
this abrupt dismissal, the master said, A
man who has not twenty white pieces In
his pocket ought not TO think Of speaking
to girl"
On this, poor Benesdik 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.
To console himself for the thought Of
leaving Msriemik, he had begun to carve
something on o big Stone, when he was
startled by hearing voice beside him.
"Whas are you doing 7" asked the beg.
gar Scriven and Beneadik turned round.
Il seemed ~ II the other had suddenly
risen ont Of the earth. "Does the master
pay you 70 make drawings on the stones ?"
The master has dismissed me--that IL
what he has DONE" replied Beneadik. His
heart WAS full, and he was surprised 1t
the beggar's bold tone. II am to have
more time TO myself than / want, and
meanwhile, that ! may find work, / am
marking this stone With the sign of my
salvation. It IL said that In former days
these stones have seem human blood flow
In the devils service. II won't do any
harm now for this one TO bear on 1t the
sign Of the Cross"
And Beneadik quietly finished his work,
completing the cross he had begun TO cut
upon the stone.
"Listen TO me-" said the beggar, in o
low voice. "What would you give me II
I were to make you rich enough TO marry
Mariemik TO morrow If you Ike, or even
TO look elsewhere and higher If you have
Q mind to do soi
Benesdik's tools dropped from his
hands. "Rich," he gasped, In q choking
voice "Mariemik /. He was 40 much ex.
cited that he could not find words, but he
II know" said Scriven, "that these
which Beneadik had just cut the sign of
the cross, .will this very night tear them
selves up from the ground on which they
.x..< ~~A a., Arivk AZ thn rivap Tn<n1
Under them Is hidden treasure 20 great
that no eye has ever seen the like. A
single person would never be able TO car.
their place but II you will help me, !
swear by your patron saint that you shall
never. again need to bow your head to any
man."
Beneadik seized the beggar's hands In
his, not noticing how they trembled. III
you will only make me rich enough TO
cried, "you may take all the rest you
and my services by day and by night, in
my hope Of heaven. ] viii refuse you
nothing that you can ak Of me-"
6criven smiled but II was dark by this
Time, ana, Deslueey ooueAuHA Was 700 nap
by and too trustful u comprehend the look
Of troubled Joy that passed over the face
OF his companion.
II will stay here and watch beside the
stones" said tho beggar. II have some.
thing In my gourd that will keep out the
cold. You have still place at the IRE.
place and table Of the farmhouse; 20
back to supper, and whom you look at
Maricmik cay to yourself that Tomorrow
she will be yours If our enterprise sue
ceeds; and then ct eleven o'clock come
back here to me-"
6crivcn was eager to get rid Of Benea.
din, for the young mans gratitude weighed
upon his mind till his rcmorse was insup-
supportable. ut must be-" he kept re-
peating to himself; "and he il such d
good Christian that he will go straight ia
heaven"
Beneadik found II very difficult to con.
ceal his Joy; In the darkest moment Of
his grief o strange hope had risen before
him. Mariemik looked ct him In amaze.
ment; she had blushed when during that
day her mother had said In her hearing
that Beueadik WAS about to leave them to