Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-02-22


Ia various gu;ses Irequented society,
moving in the higher circles as for
eisner of rank and wealth. sat at the
festive board of merchant princes. I
chated In the drawing-rooms Of the
richest mobiles OF the land. l danced in
halls where pride and beawy met.
wbiried in the giddy waltz with diamond
dccked bellies, who never dreamed their
gallant, dark eyed partner was the
daring robber chief
Ouce. while on briel visit to pretty
rural village, l rescued q beautiful
peasant grI from drowning; aud as
bC,c her tainting form to the cottage OF
h,r widowed mother, uesr o, hand,
Thought l had never seen d face Of such
marvellous beauty and loyeliuoss. Being
restored to consciousness ard learning
tle situation she thanked mo with such
"a depth OF eaIncstnoss and sincerity, aud
su,l look Il gratitude. rs th,i.ied ne
With eXqoi le joy. Irequo,ted permits.
sion 90 Ca. --x, lay,vhich Was granted,
aud tLus ,y.au acquaintance which grew
% iricndsl aud ripeueJ into .oyo. /
became a iiy visitor at The cottage
.cloi A>, Intelligent aud educated
toyoad mos OF her class, ar,ls aud
pare as ,lc undlsiguing infant.
"Oa. how bitterly M conscicu &C..
a-tsaod though /. Na,-reproyed me
i,yt.c dee p,ial pracucel Ignorant
ni ,ac d.c,i. and c,4uialss q tho world,
s.cl laced impici. trust in me, believing
ue 20 te tlc soul Of honor. Al! l.ule
o'l Size ,aiak as we ramb,cd in The le4ly
grove, or sa, beneath ,ae spreading
vine; as ve s,rol!ej beside tho moon.
.l stream. or fingered near the cottage
to-r, that Aer au and courteous COM
pa. .i.n, in waon she placed such
Cd. dixie Jus, vas tae bold outlaw of
,5s Als
I told Le. / had rank and wealth, told
her @, MY vast estate aud my castle on
,Le KLiae. asked her 10 be mice, and
share my fortune aud my gorgeous home.
Sc consented. aal $50 veieu.au,l On
gs,,,aso @. aA:a- her tony hoa.leJ pal.
ace, JrousL, A,y 10 ms cavern. Then,
rs deception was Do longer practicable, /
revealed >be Startling iac, tha, her hus
band was an oguaw-the famous bandit
ct.-,-aud ,uis cave must hcuceforth be
h5r home. On hearing lhis Sac gave me
"a look %, terror AID despair never 10 De
forgotten, and with cry of horror ,hrow
herself "a. M feet, begging ne otci. her
!. was no. true; th., was only testing
L,s lose .or me. Bat rs the terrible
truth became more appareu, from the
surroundings, size grew a.mos, wild with
s.i,l Sac hueit before NE, and with her
h.ads c ped upon her bosom, imp.ored
ne amid q torrent OF b.uerest tears TO tor.
,a1c Till, awful career, TO leave this dismal
place. AMI ll} with her TO some tar distant
land, and there in future lead life OF
pen..,lco and peace. She soon became
exhausted, and with hear; broken cry
"a anguish sank seusele,s on The ground.
When al length aroused she appeared
more calm and tranquil, buI the sunlight
OF her young life was gone foraver. The
roses never came back to her cheeks.
Day los day she slowly languished. She
always tried to wear q smile when | was
near, though griei was gnawing like a
canker at her heart. She often tried to
persuade me- to abandon my evil course,
and hourly prayed ior my reform.
4 year passed, and like q tender lower
plucScd from lis parent stem, she had
drooped and declined One day l assisted
her to the entrance OF the cave, and as |
took a seat beside her. observed that
she looked paler and lovelicr than usual.
Leaning her head upon my breast, she
said: Il feel that 1 am dying The
autumn leaves will soon strew my forest
grave but | could ga happy, and sveetly
TO rest, did believe that YOU would quit at
once this wreicbed place, and lead hence
forth an upright, Christian life. Oh !
promise me ere die that YOU will grant
this last request of her who never ceased
TO love you, even through your deepest
degrsGa,ion." Ny heart was moved as it
was never moved before, and hardly
knowing vha. said gave the required
promise. She clasped my hand with a
look oil Joy on her face that had notrested
there before for months.
That night she sweetly breathed her
last. Aud within that woodland grave
nv earthly happiness was buried.
Instead OF keeping my promise be
came more reckless than before; and my
name became byword of terror through
out the surrounding country. Thus have
| lived. an enemy TO myself, and a curse
to mankind. And thus die, neglected,
friendless. and alone.-ReU. l. p. Booth.
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The PdFsOR and the Editor.