Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-09-22
WHOLE NO. 2,492.


most excellent people in the world /;
but, unfortunately, they are preIu.
diced against me. / have good
dispositions, my life has hitherto
been harmless, and liz some degree,
beneficial; but n fatal prejudice
closed their eyes, and where they
ought to see feeling and kind
friend, they behold only detestar
BILE monster"
"That is indeed unfortunate but
II you are really blameless, cannot
you undeoeive them ?"
81 an about to undertake that
task /; and it is only on that account
that feel so many overwhelming
terrors. tenderly love these
friends; / have, unknown to them,
been for many months in the habits
of daily kindness toward them but
they believe that / wish TO lnjure
them, and it is that prejudice which
l wish to overcome"
"Where do these friends reside?'
"'Near this spot
"The old man paused, and then
continued, IF you will unreseryedly
confide to me the particulars OF your
tale, l may perhaps be of use in un-
deceiving them. l am blind, and
cannot judge OF your countenance,
but there is something In your words
which persuades me that you are
sincere. / am poor, and an exile;
but 1t will afford me true pleasure to
be in any way serviceable TO a hui
man creature rf..f
Excellent man! l thank you,
and accept your generous offer. You
raise me from the dust by this l,ind-
ness and ] trust that, by your aid,
shall not be driven from the socie-
ty and sympathy of your fellow
creatures
"'Heaven forbid! even IL you
were really criminal, for that can
only drive you to desperation, and
not instigate you to virtue. / also
am unfortunate, 1 and my family
have been condemned, although
innocent; judge, therefore, If / do
not feel for your misfortunes.'
How can ! thank you, my best
and only benefactor From your
lips first have heard the voice OF
kindness directed toward me; /
shall be forever grateful and your
present humanity assures me OF
success with those friends whom /
am on the point OF meeting
"'May / know the names and
of those friends p st
~ paused. This, thought, was
the moment of decision, which was
to rob me OF, or bestow happiness
on me forever. struggled vainly
for firmness sufficient to answer
him, but the effort destroyed all my
strength; / sank ON the
chair and sobbed aloud. At that
moment heard the steps of my
younger protectors. / had not q
moment to lose, but seizing the
hand OF the old man, cried, Now
Is the time save and protect me!
You and your family are the friends
whom / seek. Do not you desert
me in the hour of trial?' .,g
"'Great God = exclaimed the old
man, who are yOu?' ..
At that instant the cottage door
was opened, and Felix, Safe and
Agatha entered. Who can describe
their horror and CONSERVATION on
beholding me? Agatha tainted,
and Safe, unable 10 attend to her
friend, rushed out of the cottage.
Felix darted forward, and with
force tore me from his
hlther, TO whose knees clung. In
4 transport of fury he dashed me to
the ground, and struck me violently
with a stick. l could have torn
him limb from limb, ms the lion
rends the antelope. But my heart
sank within me as with bitter sick
ness. and / refrained. l saw him
On the point of repeating his blow,
when, overcome by pain and an
yuish, l quilted the cottage, and In
The general tnmult escaped unper-
,eived to my hovel.
TO BE CONTINUED.