The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-03-28

"Hulin, place your manu- on 'N
there is hole there; stretch out your io''
boldly; you will feel step, and then turn
upon your heel"
Master Jean-Claude obeyed, not without ieai
and trembling; he felt the hole in the rock'
found the step, aud, turning half way around
presently stood face to face with his friend IN
a niche which mus. formerly have belonged TO
some poste1n. At the end of the niche 10"
vault opened.
"How in the world was this discovered
cried the wondering Hullin.
II came on it while bunting for nests, thirty
five years ago. had often seen magnificent
eagle with his mate upon this rock they were
splendid birds, full six feet across the wings.
1 heard the cries of their young beyond the
notch, and, after many trial, found mEseH
here. What battle We had! They tried 10
tear my eyes out, and when killed them
| cleared their nest of the bones that lay there
| after had twisted the necks of the young
| then / kept on, and you shall see what found
Come" -
| They glided together beneath the low and
narrow vault, formed of enormous red stones,
over which the lantern threw a sickly glare
At the end of about thirty steps vast cir
| cular cave, formed from the living rock, ap-
peared, ON the floor of which were perhaps
| fifty piles of little kegs, and on the sides a
great number of bars of lead and bags of to-
/ bacco. The air of the cavern was strongly
| impreguated with the odor of the last.
Marc placed his lantern at the entrance, and
| gazed around with a well-satisfed smile.
Here is what l found" said he, "only the
cave was empty, save that in the middle OF the
floor yonder lay the skeleton of an animal-of
a fox, which had probably died there of old
age. The rogue had discovered the way before
l did, and he could sleep in safety here AT
that time, Jean-Claude, l was twelve years OF
age. 1 thought then that the place might
| some day be useful to me, knew not how; but
afterward, when l made my first essays at my
accelerated trade with old Jacob thinner
and when for two winters the revenue officer.
' were our track, the remembrance OF my
cave returned. 1 had made the acquaintance
Il of Hexe-Baizel, who was servant at the farm
of Bois. deChenes, then owned by Catherine
- father. She brought me twenty-five louis b.
way of dowry, and we set up our establish
az ment in this cavern of the Arbousers.
~ Dives was silent, and Hullin asked: 70
like this den, then"
"Lke it! I would not change it for tt
i. finest house in Strasbourg. For twenty-five
gears have kept my goods here-sugar, CO
Of fee, powder, tobacco, brandy-and no one II
in wiser. I have eight horses always on Il
IL road"
as But you enjoy nothing of your wealth"
n Enjoy nothing. Think you there is
pleasure in knocking and outwitting the poll
in defy wing the shrewd officials of the custol
i'll housed And, besides, the people all love 20
you sell at half price; you are the benefact
he of the poor"
But the danger"
nd BAH What revenue officer would da
come here ?"
Ter Il believe you" muttered Hullin, as
in. thought that he must again brave the pre-,
tn. pice.
But am used TO it," continued the smu
ed gler, although, when 1 first made my w
hther with cask my shoulder, my hes
mt futtered as it had not for many day befor
he He took up the lantern and held it so III
he the light might fall upon the heaps of kegs
90 at is fine English powder" said he "it TO
he like grains of silver in your hand, and is stro
ns' as fate. "A little goes long way-a thimb
ks, full is enough for a charge. And there is le
I'm, that Europe cannot beat. This evening He
the Babel shall run some into balls She kno
ry- how, as you shall see."
They turned to leave the cavern, when 81
denly confused noise of voices was bo
arc upon the air. Marc instantly blew out
yer lantern, and the two men were in nom
,all plunged in darkness
8 of Ito be continuedJ
EN-,
%. No man is SO ignorant but that he N