The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-03-29
The GOldsm tn OF st. LO.

In the village Of st. Lo there dwelt a
certain Pedro RiZ, of whom it was said
that he came from the confines of Gran
vile, took up his residence in this little
town, and by dint of energy, economy
and hard savings, amassed q large
fortune. As age advanced upon him the
desire of increasing his wealth did not
abate.
One evening, rather late, as he was re-
turning from the home of one of his
friends, he was suddenly attacked by two
men, and in the affray received q severe
wound in the breast. His cries for help
30 frightened the villains, who feared
the city guards, that they fed, leaving
the wounded man staggering toward his
abode. AS he slowly proceeded, he ar
rived at the residence of goldsmith,
through whose windows and door hared
. bright, Pickering light. This gold
smith was endeavoring to recompense his
loss of wealth by smelling the baser ores
into the more valuable gold. An i'm
mense fire glared on an elevated hearth,
and above was suspended large cru.
chile, into which he was vainly pouring
chemical mixtures and compounds upon
the melting ORES, murmuring: This to
success.
just at this moment the bleeding Pc
dro staggered into the apartment.
"What! you here, good friend. and at
this time of night What ails you, Pc
dro?" said Maxcelly, advancing toward
him.
"Maxcelly. am dyingw exclaimed
the unfortunate man. "a murderer has
killed me-" With these words he fell
dead at the jewelers. feet.
Thoroughly taken by surprise, the at
frighted Maxcelly stood gazing in stupe-
fed terror at the dead body of his
visitor. So long had be remained thus,
that the smoldering emters and dark.
ened room obliged him to light his
torch, aud with respectful care he placed
the body on tie pallet OF
straw, murmuring almost inaudibly:
''Such is the uncertainty OF life"
While still cleaning the blood from off
the garments Of Pedro, the terrible con-
viction flashed upon him that to himself
would be attributed the murder.
Trembling in every nerve he approached
the corpse, and fun bling in the pockets.
drew forth tnerefrom bunch Of six keys
the only article contained on the person
Of the mser.
The bewildered Maxcelly reflected
upon the course to be pursued. Thus he
at until suddenly aroused by the solemn
tones Of the cathedral bell, tolling the
hour Of midnight; as the sound died
away he arose, malicious smile distort-
ing his features, and as though to find So
lace in his thoughts, he began to COM
mune with himself: 81 shall be accused
of this murder; my sense Of conviction
tells me this. even now rs cast my eve
upon that pallet of blood-red straw
cAnno, overlook the conviction that
the pallet of straw may prove my ac-
cuser. Pedro has wealth; l am poor.
Pedro does not need this wealth. have
wife and children; why not be the thief
~ well as the innocent murderer? These
Keys are the disclosers, no doubt, oil
riches; these keys are mine; so shall the
gold he mine ALSO" saying which, the
still fearful Maxcelly lifted the corpse in
his arms anil bore it down . narrow
flight Of stairs; here laying it gently
down. be seconded for his torch; grasp
iDg > large spade. he again went below
plasing his torch in . crevice. be tore mp
: per1ion Of the planking. sad hogan dig
80 nDaIossly large hole, fully six lest