The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-02-10
her class artless and pure as the Ill
I

ner CLASS , arJleSS ana pure as tnG uH
designing infant.
ooh how bitterly my conscience
hardened though 1T was-reproved me
for the deception practiced. Ignorant
of the deceit and craftiness of the world,
she placed implicit trust in me, believing
me the soul of honor. All little did
she think as we rambled in the leafy
grove, or sat beneath the spreading vine;
as we strolled beside the moonlight
stream, or fingered near the cottage
door, that her tall and courteous COM
panion, in whom she placed such child
like trust, was the bold outlaw of the
Alps.
/ told her I had rank and wealth, /
told her of my vast estate and my castle
on the Rhine. 1 asked her to be mine,
and share my fortune and my gorgeous
home. She consented, and we were
married. On pretense of taking her to
my boasted palace, brought her to my
cavern. Then, as deception was no
longer practicable, l revealed the start
ling fact that her husband was an out
lav-the famous bandit chief-and this
cave must henceforth be her home. On
hearing this, she gave me look of ter
ror and despair never to be forgotten,
and with cry OF horror threw herself at
my feet, begging me to tell her it was
not true; that was only testing her love
for me. But as the terrible truth be-
came more apparent from the surround
ings, she grew almost wild with grief.
She knelt before me, and with her
hands clasped upon her bosom, implored
me amid o torrent of bitterest tears to
forsake this awful career, to leave this
dismal place, and fly with her to some
far distant land, and there in future lead
life of penitence and peace. She soon
became exhausted, and with heart
broken cry of anguish sank senseless on
the ground.
When at length. aroused she appeared
more calm and tranquil, but the sum
light of her young life was gone for
ever. The roses never came back to her
cheeks. Day by day she slowly Ian
guished. She always tried to wear a
smile when 1 was near, though grief was
gnawing like canker at her heart. She
often tried to persuade me to abandon
my evil course, and hourly prayed for
my reform.
A year passed, and like tender flow
er plucked from its parent stem, she had
dropped and declined. One day as
sisted her to the entrance of the cave,
and as took O seat beside her, OBJ
served that she looked paler and lovelier
than usual. Leaning her head npon my
breast, she said 81 feel that I am dy
ing. The autumn leaves will soon
strew my forest grave; but could go
happy, and sweetly rest, did I believe
that you would quit at once this wretch
ed place, and lead henceforth an upright
Christian life. Oh promise me ere I
die that you will grant this last request
Of her who never ceased to love you,
even through your deepest degradation. "
My leart was moved as it was never
moved before ard hardly knowing what
said gave the required promise. She
clasped my hand with look of Joy on
her face that had not rested there be-
fore for months.
That night she sweetly breathed her
last. And within that woodland grave
my earthly happiness was buried.
Instead of keeping my promise be-
came more reckless than before and
my name became a by-word of terror
throughout the surrounding country.
Thus have I lived, an enemy to myself,
and curse to mankind. And thus 1
die, neglected, friendless, and alone
Rev. I. p. Booth.