Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-01-16

W Tue SCOIio SCtPS, anu having stGuIeu
the doors, he signi6ed that he was at
my service The direct way to my cafe,
which was ON the broad quay lay
through the heart of the city; but my
companion insisted upon my taking
more circuitous route, and as he led
the way, he took me through the mar
rowest and darkest streets and passages
he could find.
'sMr. c =" said he as we were
emerging from one of these dark passa-
ges, s'there was an American merchant
man arrived yesterday from New York,
and know not who may have come in
her 1t is for this reason that would
avoid the public places.
In an instant the idea flashed upon
me that my companion was convict,
or at least criminal in his native coun-
try, and was consequent y afraid Of de-
lection The more l thought of it the
more | become convinced that such was
the fact, and could now account for
his strange conduct in this fear, and in
the cravings of a guilt burdened con-
science Yet he was welcome com
panion for all that, and felt sure that
had been full and ample T.
H gazed furitively about as we
entered the cafe; and, at his request,
ordered supper. ina private room. He
laughed and chatted freely, and the
msre / saw of him the more I liked
him. After we had finished our meal,
we started on our proposed walk It
was nearly IL O'Clock when we thought
of returning, and as we were passing
the small church on St joseph, ! motto
that the doors were open, and in the
ce;itre of the church there was sable
bier, around which was burning a num-
Der of small wax tapera I proposed
that we enter and look fer moment at
the corpse. H made no objections
In one of the confessionals near the
d or sat an old monk, and very natc.-
rally ask him who it was that restea
on the bier not knowing that most Of
the m.erments from this church were in
behalf of charity.
The monk informed me that it was
the body of man who came on shore
from the American ship that came the
day before. He had been very sick
and weak when he left the ship, but
he was determined to land, and no
pursuation of the crew could alter him
in his determination. He had reached
the quay. but he lived not to cross it.
The kind monks OF st. Joseph had ia
ken charge of the body.
We slowly, reverently approached
the sombre scene. Upon the breast Of
the deceased were the various articles
that had been found in his possession.
consisting of an apparently well filled
purse, pocket comb, a watch, heavy
double balrelled pistol, the latter OF
which the monk informed us had been
loaded with extraordinsr, charges OF
powder, balls and buckshot. l gazed
upon the face of the desd.. and even in
its sunken marble-like rightly, there was
a startling expression Ct intense lesulu
ton, as suLdued, still dwelt in the hush
ed bosom. As, still sazed heard :
stifed cry at my side, and en- turning
was half frightened by the expression OF
my companions countensncs. His eye
balls seemed actually Startling fr III
their sockets, his mouth was half open
and fixed his hands which were extend
ed toward the corpse, trembled like Vi
rating harp strings, and his very hail
emed fretful. He moved nearer the
head Of the deceased, looked another
moment into that pallid ta.e, and sink
ing down upon his knees, he clasped
his hands toward heaven:
''Great God, l thank thee! ! th&nl
thee thanks! thanks!" he calculated III
frantic tones, and then he arose and
looked once more upon the features q
he corpse. Then his eyes wandered K.
the heavy pistol that lay upon the SAIL.
pail, and while cold shudder passed
he took me by the arm.
''Come COME said he, 'fcome witt
me to your cafe, and l will tell you q
strange story"
Without needing the mute astonisf-
ment Of the monk, l followed H. My
companions nerves had become some
what Composed. and could see tiiAlt
was intense satisfaction depicted in ev-
cry lineament ef his countensnGe
s'Mr. c." he commenced, 81 can
tell you my story in very few words.
Nearly twenty years ago | fell i'll love
with a young girl in the City Of New
York. On my part the acquaintance
soon ripened into a love of the warmest
an m st ardent, kind-and it was as
pu as it was ardent, and she professed
me same feeling tow. rds me, was then
well to do in the world, being a cleik
in heavy mercantile house, and Gle
long it was arranged we should hc
married. About a week previous to the
time set for this ceremony. | accidentally
heard my affianced bride use some most
obscene and prot;.lle language in coin
pany with one of her female acquain-
t,,nces. You can judge of my feeling
nnder these circumstances much better
than can describe them. l turned
away sick at heart, and on the very next
day received indubitable proofs of the
utter inidelity Of the object Of ny
affections at once broke off the Ell
gagement. Upon being questioned by
some ofmy companions IS to the cause
Of my course, unguardedly and, per
haps, foolishly, revealed to them the
whole secret. The story, as having
onle firm me, got wings, and sooA
,tread among the ladys friends and &C
q aintances.
A few days afterward Young man
about my own age called into the store
and came up to the desk where | was
writing. His hands were nerveously
clasped together and his face was livid
til rage. He told me that had
brewer blasted the reputation ct bis