The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-01-17

Inc raging Dlllows lashed the shore,
thunder crashed amid the vivid flashes
OF lightning, and the rain fell at times
IN torrents; but the quiet villagers of
Biornborg were securely sleeping in their
beds, for it wss eleven o'clock at night,
and they were not won't to wander from
p their homes after darkness fell upon their
habitations.
They were a hardy, simple race of peo-
pie, having very little knowledge OF the
outside world The men were mostly
fishermen and the women spinners OF
fax.
have said the good villagers were Sc
eurely sleeping in their beds, but must
at least except the village priest, who sat
in his solitary room reading large book
beside his well-trimmed lamp, and occa-
sionally pausug and raising his head as
blast more fierce than the rest shook
bis little house to the very foundation
at the period of which we write, the
villsge of Biornborg numbered scarcely
three hundred souls, and the church
where the priest ofhciated stood at the
extreme end of the settlement, and
within q hundred feet of the wave-washed
shore.
As the venerable old man closed the
book he iell into deep meditation. His
lamp began TO burn dimly nd the solemn
silence or his chamber was only broken
by the noise of the rushing sea and the
bowling of the gale. The hands of the
clock that stood in an angle OF the room
had just met at twelve, and the priest
was in the act of seeking his couch, when
there came loud knocking at the door,
Some OF my people are i'll, 1 fear" |
Rurmured the good man as he nnbarred |
the door.
.X2en he had done so. two -uassL~s
Man covered by long clesks pushed
their way hastily into the apartment, I
one of them abruptly informing him |
that he must Immediately them immedi
ately to the church, as he was required
TO celebrate marriage.
"Herel ~ exclaimed the man, fiinging
purse upon the table, ''this will COM
pensate you for the troubks We are about
TO give you"
As quickly as the priest could collect
his thoughts he mildly demonstrated,
/. explaining that he was not permitted TO
perform such q solemn rite without those
preparatory formalities which the law
required.
Cease that nonsense" cried the man,
drawing pistol and putting the muzzle
against the old mans head. Do our
bidding without murmur, for unless you
obey, swear that will shoot you"
The poor priest trembled and turned
pale. = shall be ready in moment"
he replied, aud caug ut up mis- hat and
stick.
@Come along, exclaimed the men as
they stepped forth. followed by the un>
willing clergyman.
The rain had ceased falling and big
rift in the clouds occasionally showed
gleam of the moon.
"I thought the gale would abate
about. midnight" remarked one of the
nen to his fellow.
A simple "humphi" was the only re-
sponse.
"We must be on before daylight" he
continued, shut we shall have terrible
sea for che boats. Hear how the surt
beats on the shore"
"Humph came again from his com
panion's lips, and then they relapeed
into silence
As they eme- ged from behind one oi
the sand hills which surrounded the VIII
lage, the priest started with surprise to
behold his church illuminated. He
gazed at the men as they strode by his
side, and they appeared like the spectre,
to his heated imagination. Matters
seemed to him like dream. A few
moments more and they were at the
church portals.
"Stand !" commanded enc of the men
The priest obeyed, and quickly found 1
bandsge placed over his eyes.
Take my hand" said the man.
Again the priest oheyed, and was lee
rapidly through the door. A number o
voices as if disputing met his ear, bu
almost immf d;stely the sounds ceases
and all became quiet.
Arriving in front Of the altar, the Gov
ering over his eyes was removed, and b
could observe about a dozen person
mashed and keeping close in the skada'
Of the walls. The large csadiss Oh IL
Lsseassre burning brightly: still the,
wero portions ~ the church over whic
indistinet shadows fitted. In one of the,
arches the old priest strained his eyes, ,
he thought he beheld the garments of
woman. Nor was he mistaken. Bl
that which suddenly caused his heart
shrink with dread, was to behold Il
slab which covered the vault of Franc
Krynszioft removed from its place ar
standing on it's er1 against one of Il
pillars that supported the roof
Krynss!oft, a rich old land owner WI
bad been dead nearly a century, hs