The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-11-01
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"Histl Do you soc the bundle under his
head p
The other villain nodded, winked and
leered.
am bet you a horn of brandy" said the
first, "that the chap has either pocket. book
or else he has a snug little hoard Of small
change slowed away among his shirts. And
If not there we shall find it in his pantaloon
pocket"
"But how il he wakesW said the other.
His companion thrust aside his waist-coat,
pointed to the handle Of dirk and nodded.
$50 be il |" mutttered the second villain.
They approached the unconscious David,
and while one pointed the dagger toward
the heart, the other began TO scratch the
bundle beneath his head-their two faces,
grim, wrinkled and ghastly with guilt and
fear, bent oyer their victim, looking terrible
enough to be mistaken for fiends should he
suddenly awake. Nay, had the villains
glanced aside into the spring even they
might not know themselves as reflected there.
But David Swan had never worn u more
tranquil aspect, even when asleep on his
mothers breast
al must take away the bundle" whis-
pored one.
"But if he stirs, I'll strilic," mutterod the
other.
But at this moment dog scenting along
the ground, came in beneath the maple
trees and gazed alternately at each of those
wicked men and then at the quiet sleeper.
He then Tapped out of the fountain.
Sphaw" said one villain, eve can do
nothing now. The dogs master must be
close behind"
"Let's take drink and be off" said the
other.
The man with the dagger thrust the wea-
pom into his pocket and drew forth pocket
pistol, but not of that kind which kills by
single discharge. 1t was flask of liquor,
with blocli-tin tumbler screwed upon the
mouth. Each drank a comfortable dram
and left the spot, with so many jests and
such laughter at their unaccomplshed wick
edness, that they might be said to have gone
on their way rejoicing. In few hours they
had forgotten the whole affair, nor once inn
agined that the recording angel had written
down the crime of murder against their souls
in letters as durable as eternity.
AS for David Swan he slept quietly, nei-
ther conscious of the shadow of death when
it hung over him, nor the glow of renewed |
life when that shadow was withdrawn.
lie slept, but no longer quietly as at first.
An hours repose had snatched from his elias
tic frame the weariness with which many |
hours of toll had burdened it. Now he
stirred; now moved his lips without sound
now talked, in an inward tone, to the noon
day spectress of his dream. But noise OF |
wheels came rattling louder and louder
along the road until it dashed through the
dispensing mist of David's slumber; and |
there was the stage coach. lie started up
with all his ideas about him.
"Hallco, driverl Take passenger!"
shouted he.
Groom ON top" answered the driver.
Up mounted David ana bowled away |
merrly toward Boston, without so much as
a parting glance at that fountain of dream
like vicisstudes. lie knew not that phan-
tom of wealth had thrown a golden hue
upon ITS waters, and that one of love had
sighed softly to their murmur, nor that one
Of death haG threatened to crimson hIm
with his blood all in the brief hour since
he Law down to sleop.
Sleeping or waking, we hear not the airy
footsteps of the strange things that almost
happen Nathaniel Hatcthorne.