The New York Herald Newspaper, March 17, 1860, Page 12

12 He SITINT~O008f NM HOMAM ‘YAGRUTAS MJIASTH AROY W NEW YORK HERALD) SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1860—TRIPUE SHEET. LITERATURE. he looked towards the prisoner; bat it was only a not a | had risen. With the co of the moonlight his rho" had used to its skull erect, ren rennin furtive glance, and not repeated. fasten a | spirits for the while seemed to revive, and ae PRL or dery ot edn ng THE GYPSY DAUGHTER; frogs,” spoke’ Mohammed, «you ha jast what | toset his wits upon some expedient whereby 4), 0rt of the earthen floor much more beaten ‘ called to give us your evidence this youth’s lings; | could cast off the lashings from his limbs. He was down yc yen and bir htag Bylo 08, ; " See See ey: been | thus when his ear caught # sound which | path ae is Watt grew clear and true, he tr it THE KING AND THE SORCERESS. Wien dar hero tay how trogts avoided bis gue been | Hark! What is that low, frightful howling that | driven into the v7all, and ending a atone | fn snp heart eae sy evLvanen @ naan, x. and how he trembled, he knew that the forthcoming We overheard the plot | comes breaking ch the forest? It is the voice | Secs above te Se cnet oie. loosen his pis: | in the air day and » stor had been already js by his | of the blood-hounds! k! why do they howl go | tolsin the belt and ascund cutlass ready for _ amall capital of a CHAPTER I. “3 lord,”; commenced wounded villain, crafty; | cruelly—so vengefully? Why scem they so eager | anything unexpected, man or demon, was my years, having ‘i ripe he forest ou know you sent Gower and myself to conduct mn when and ag hot breathed? Hark! they are close at hand, | but the work of an instaut, with the ae- | But how m romance wag In the far corner of a lovely glade in the fo1 to At We started, as you directed. and their howls are to quick, suuffiing | tive Albert. A steady presstre forced up the | was as kindly of Arden, (situated in the northern part of War- | When we reached the stream near the edge of the cries. Ha!—See! Theyare here! The moonbeams | trap, and a flood of light poured in upon the amall | looked at Miss when site wickshire, England, and in the midst of which was | forest, we found that we had lost our way, and stream in an opening in the leafy.canopy, | fag above, from a window there wide o) came out with the she itohed 8 Gypey camp, sat two beautiful gids while Gower went forward to look for e fordiag. THE BLOODHOUNDS. and reveal the hounds, not a dozen yards away. | Entering stealthily, Albert stood erect aad tty, and to judge of her ‘Stn0es to be Mr. Wa b ‘ypsy camp, wi i" =n Fabian and myself sat down upon the roo! Sometime near the middle of the day a man As if he had read it upona fiery scroll did the | abouthim. A cot bed was in one corner, ané seve- 's wife. f . members of the vagrant tribe which had long in- alittle while Gower came back, and ashe was | came down to the cell, and brought Fabian some | whole trath unfold itself to Fabian’s mind. Thus | ral rude of furniture were scattered about. Ten years ago Miss Kenyor must have feated that region. about to tell us what he had discovered, master | food and drink. It was Saul, the robber—or, in | could Mohammed gain his destruction, and tho peo- | Perceiving a door near him, Albert boldly opened | pretty” ‘There were. remains of bee “ele One of these forest beauties was tall aad quent Fabian jumped up and shot him with a pistol ipsey parlance, the ostilador. He seemed a fit-| ple of the camp should never know the murderous | it and found himself in the presence of a most | sw: in her face, but ib a trying mt q ‘>| which he had drawn from- his bosom. I hurried man to stand in the shoes of the dead Gower; | villainy of the deed. They would think he had lovely girl of some fifteen or sixteen years, whose | Her features were Seinpouelt tax? was P - and of a light, fairy-like form, with deep blue eyes | forward as quickly as possible to help my com- | and surely he wasaready and expert tool in the | escaped from his prison, ef fled to the woods, and | look of terror and ‘ust, a3 he entered, imme- | and she combed it dreadfully and her and a pensive cast of countenance, shaded by an | Panion; but the young man had another pistol, | hands of the gipsey king. that the dogs had there overtaken and destroyed | diately changed to one of joy, hope and ere, Collar bone and the cords of her neck were ‘abundance of bright, sunny-brown hair. Her name | Wich he fired at me. The ball lodged in my | The prisoner had a thought of poison in his mind, i : as her beautifal black eyes gazed izto his frank pleasantly Prominent. ‘The crow Bopped = SOS, BARRY Hae. shoulder, He would have killed me if he could.” | but it did not prevent him from eating; though he | But—would the brates take his life? and manly fate. | her, just keeping ont of her tach, I won - was Electra, and she was the daughter of Gonde- “What have you to say to this!” demanded Mo- | did not relish the food quite so well as he might The youth’s blood seemed to freeze in his veins “Ab! you have come to take me away!” she ex- | that he did not like her. He was never afraid bald, the Gypsy King’s chief captain. . . m otherwise have done. Sant waited a little while, | as this query came to his mind. He now remem: | claimed, grasping his hands, “But where is he— | apy one. Bat if one had a switch te punish ne ae Her companion was Leda, the daughter of Mo- At first the youth did not know what to say. He | as aera from curiosity, and then left. When | bered a remark he had heard Jasper drop oaly a | the monster?’ stealing cheese, he kept ‘just at a eet dittanoe ‘and 4 had expected something of this kind, and yet the | Fabian eaten what he pleased, he walked | few hours before in the kennel yard, while the “He? Who? What monster?” said Albert. made a low, grambling nose. Miss Ki went hammed, the Gipsy King himself. She was shorter | ooo} faisehood of Trogus for a moment confounded | about the cell, feeling his way along by the wall, | dogs were so uneasy. The hounds had not eaten a “The dwarf! The Red Dwarf! The monster | toward him, to catch him. He 200k Just , in stature than Electra; her form was more fall, | him. He tried to catch the villain’s eye, but with- | talking with h'mself as he went. In this manner | morsel for four-and-twenty hours! that my uncle has placed over me to keep me in | three hops to Mr. William, whom he liked next her face plump and dimpled; her eyes of a dark | SUteffect. he spent an hour or more, when he was dis- The above is all of this story that will be publish- | this horrible place.” to me. Keele til a b B “My lord,” he finally said, addressing the king, | turbed in his reflections by the approach of some | ed in our columns. We give this asa anaie. The “T bave seen no such animal,” said the bewildered “You can't catch him, Marian,” said@fr. William. haze’ and her hair of darkest brown. Both the | «tnisman hath spoken most falsely. Ydid shoot | one towards his place of confinement, and shortly | continuation of it from where it leaves off here can | Albert; “‘but if you wish to escape | will place you | How gravely sweet his voice sounded as he spoke Gipsy girls were beautiful beyond description, as | Gower, but not until he had tried to killme; and | afterwards his door was opened, and Saul again | be foundonly in the New York Ledger, the great | in safety in spite of every dwarf, red, green, blue | her name, and how sad and envious’! felt. he daughters of that strange race are apt to be. when | fired at this fellow, it was to escape his | made his appearance; but he did not this time | family paper, which will be re: on Monday, and | or black, that ever breathed.” * “Yeslcan. Why, he has no o! to being Wik ou: thie Yeenent ened ma ’ | poniard.” come alone; his companion, Anselmo, bore him | for sale at all the stores throughout the city and A shrill yell, like the cry of seme fierce beast | caught. He is only ie ie P both were sad—una- “A very pretty story,” retarned Mohammed, company. _ country where papers are sold. Remember, and upon the ear, and as Albert turned to greet | He ought to be a lady-bird if he is a coquetts,” a wen f the trib q | With a coarse chuckle. “Such stories are very “Well, my master,” spoke the former, “how | ask for the New York Ledger of March 31, and in | the utterer the door leading into the other cham- ‘id Mr. William, ig. 4 Fabian nat te . peop hy m4 rth ey iy easily mavufactured by those who have done great | would you like to smell the fresh air and see the | it you will find the continuation of the story from | ber was rudely Gashed open, and the scream of “Not so, Mr. Allen,” said the lady, severely. “1 pearl peat iy peace “oe , Bad bf] re ue & crimes.” Then turping to Gondebald, he con- | stars?” We have come to lead you out of this | where it leaves off here. . terror that pealed from the young girl's lips told have seen as many men who were flirts and CoH her confidante, and sympathized ith her le every. | tued—“‘Good captain, you have heard all,—whet | place; and {shouldn't think you'd feel many re-| The Ledger is mailed to subscribers at $2 year, | him that the enragedn ew comer was her dreaded | quettes as I have of our muph abused sex.” ner core vere Mr ay eTy- | ought we to do?” greta in leaving it.” , or two copies for $3. Address your letters to Ro- | jailer. Mr. William had-probably known some of this olf now toward the el f Ane on morning a was “Why,” replied the man thus addressed, as “That may depend upon what I gain by the ex- | bert Bonner, publisher, 44 Ann street, Now York. ‘The Red Dwarf was a horribly deformed man, of | maid’s troubles, for a shadow passed over his face ot hatche od tie ep pt a Gon. though he were reflecting seriously; “I can see but | change,” replied Fabian. It is the handsomest and best family paper in the haps thirty years of age, with @ savage and that, with all I was aware of, aud he debala, 2 eatiut outs ol Soe on i ae one course to pursue. The murderer must be se- “] guess the exchange will be all in your favor, | country, elegantly illustrated, and characterized by fect viange, 6 scarlet as vermillion itse’, with | said, driving Night back with his handkerchiet— Bi tra end Fabien, oe vr ly ene, th tha eon cured until you can give him such trial as our cus- | that is, if you improve it. However, we'll see by | a high moral tone. ellow gy hair and tangled beard,anda‘msso “Catch him.” lec oh, omit a euie H lunge as i mai- | toms demand.” and by.” ¥ _————— long that the hunchbacked monster r.embl:d a | The bird saw that he was surrounded, and The fet-hen that iol “ ad” eae rps a “You are right, captain.” And then turning to When the party reached the upper hall, instead THE RED DWARF. huge ape more than a haman being. | he fled up, caught the piece of and aligt tee Lode th me riage th Gad debuld: gad Gon, the three men who stood do waiting. i acted of tarning tows: a the mam bare of ie pai pico rs na ith flaming ayes thes rolled “erociously @¥ar | on my shoulder, chuckling in his low grutal b rey » to G ;Aud Gon- | “Here, sirs, take fellow and lock him up. | they moved on tothe rear assed ou! wv r 7 e undaunted front of the athletic youth, as he | way at his tri Gebald in return was to.give his daughter Electra in | [ot him be as comfortable as you can; but first ps stables into 4 4 A LEGEND OF iba o> oan Ty THE OLDEM placed his tall and deep chested fraaie before the witLet us fo ey him bury his cheese,” marriage to Mohamme The announcement of this plan had filled the hearts of the two girls with indignation and misery; and they had withdrawn to their secluded nook to consult together, and if pos- sible, comfort each other. But no hope of comfort could they cherish. The power of their fathers was absolute; and so, all they could resolve upon was to die, sooner than submit to such a revolting union. Just as they had come to this conclusion, they heard footsteps in the forest, and soon Fabian came in view; whereupon Leda hastily aes, the spot, that the lovers might commune alone. The meet- was a sad one, for Fabian had also heard the news. (Old Dione, the sorceress of the tribe, had told it to him; and she had also hinted that neither he nor Electra was of Gipsy te ~-that a strange mystery was connected with them both, which she ht at some time unfold. She had also warned Fabian to look out for his safety. “Wolves dre abroad, my son,” she said; “and the thirst for the blood of one whom they fear. Look ‘well to thyself and to Electra.” The lovers were filled with dismay. Their only hope was in flight; and upon flight they at once re- solved. But whither should they fice? As they anxious'y revolved this question, they heard foot- ateps a pemcoealng, aad Electra, by Fabian’s com- mand, hastily fled towards the camp, leaving her lover to meet the intruders alone. Fabian soon saw two of the most notorious ruf- fians of the tribe approaching, named Gower and Trogus. They were vile instruments of the Gipsey chief, ever glad to do his bidding, no matter how bloody or infamous the service. They generally travelled together, and their disguises were as many and as various as there were occasions for their use. They summoned Fabian, in the King’s mame, to accompany them, at once, to Atherstone, where they were to meet Gondebald,and then set out upon some expedition of great importance. Of course, he had to obey; but as Dione’s warning ‘was still fresh in his mind, he first went to his tent and armed himself with a couple of pistols, which he secreted in his pockets. és Before the party had proceeded many miles through the forest, Fabian became convinced that the ruffians meant to do him harm. He was certain that they were not on the path to Atherstone; and as they drew near a frightful chasm, through which rushed a turbulent stream, he saw, by the de- meanor of Gower and Troges, that the decisive ino- ment was at hand. He had walked between them thus far—one in his front, the other behind hin— but now under pretext of haying hurt his foot, he stepped aside, and paused uaul the rear villain passed him, and then limped on after them. On arriving at the edge of the chasm, the ruffians suddenly wheeled around, drew their knives, and rushed upon Fabian, of whom they thought to make gpeedy work. But they were mistaken. Drawing istols, he shot Gower dead and wounded Tro- st in the right shoulder so severely that the rufian ell to the earth and begged for mercy. On reflec- tion, Fabian resolved to spare the villain’s life; and at once set about dressing his wound as well us he could, with a view to getting him back to the camp. This magnanimous conduct not ouly astonished ‘Trogus, but it did more—it touched his heart, and he promised forever after to be a friend to Fabian as as it shoald lay in his power. He advised our hero not to return to the camp, as the King ‘would certainly take further proceedings against him; thus hinting, although he would not expressly acknowledge the truth, that Mohammed had or dered him and Gower to kill Fabian; and he also hinted about other dark deeds that might be done, and earnestly besought his preserver not to place himself again in the King’s power. But Fabian returned to the camp. The journe was slow, as Trogus could not travel fast; and it was near midnight when they arrived. Fabian went at once to the tent of Djone, and found the sorceress up, and seemingly awaiting the arrival of some one. She was a strange looking creature, and might have served as a model for any artist who would picture a witch to the life. Dione wasa Spanish Gitano, and she had brought with her from the sunny South many an item of mystic lore be- fore unknown among the English Gipsies. When Fabian had told Dione his story she rocked herself to and froand muttered “So soon, so,s00n,” and then warning the youth to be on his guard, she dismissed him with a promise to communicate some important secrets to him on the morrow, and plan for his and Electra’s futare safety. Mohammed and Gondebald soon learned, through their spies, that Trogus was in his tent, and the King at once sent for him. On being questioned, told his story to the astounned plotters, ‘who raved with fury on learning the issue of their attempt upon our hero's life. They soon bent fro- gus 4 thelr wishes, by mingled threats and promises, and his cue having been given to him, three Gipsies were sent to bring Fabian to the i King's apartment. Mohammed and Gondebald were ill at ease. The latter feared that unless he should be able to bestow Electra upon the King he himself would never be permitted to take the fascinating Leda to wife; and this od ae escape and return of Fa- bian rrilled all his dearest hopes. The King, ever, had deeper cause for disquiet, and reason to fear Fabian, than re- esr = eae are = and influence over Electra. Dione had whispered strange things in bis ear, and her mystic wa: had caused him to tremble. Of these things he could not speak to Gondebald, but treasured them in his own dark , and tried to assume a look of easy as- surance, and spoke words of arrogant confidence; but ere he could prolong his remarks, the door ‘Was 0) and .our hero was led into the apart- ment by the three ruffians who had been sent for When Fabian found himself in the presence of captain, there was a sense of i upon him which he had not before ex; fenced. Mohammed looked dark and threa' . his brutal face being settled into an mn of Gondebald, with his most deadly meaning; while black eyes ond raised shoulders, looked not acoiled serpent. And then the apartment, with its dingy, ragged walls, and its dirty floor, ‘with the light from the smoky glass of the 5 was not calculated to add any- thing like Seeetiaanes to toe scene. But the ‘yout was not left long to ponder upan these things, for he was led towards the large oaken chair ia which the king sat, who addressed him without much Master Fabian have had quite ox !” This was spoken in a sarcastic tone, aud with the teeth cl Our hero looked 1— ‘My lord,” he said, using the form of address wi wee. common among the when ad- their ruler, “if have accusation toma wil on it at once, for f would know whereof ht quickly,” replied Mo- i #s ‘am acct “Thou shalt hear. hammed; aud as he oxi he cast his eyes over he would assure that trusted. Gondebald stood at hile farther away, behind the ad soner, were the three men who had conducted latter trom his tent. They were Saul, Jasper and bound il of thelr, master, as'though th the of master, as thoug! e; ss machines of torture in his hands tee idee thou “and answer me E i E proceeded, not slay our faithfal servant, ‘1 did shoot him, but ’twas in self-defence.” “Beware, sit! Don’t add falsehood to your other Let Trogas be called.” In afew moments the wounded gipsy was brought He seemed to be in t pain, but he bore Eo sapian bravely 23 paste bel - that he is secure.” Our hero felt that further expostalation would be useless, so he followed Saul from the apartment, Jasper and Anselmo bringing up the rear. In the narrow hall the guide lighted a torch, and then pro- ceeded to the rear of the building, and thence dowa into the cellar. ‘This cellar seemed to be nearly as broad in extent as was the surface covered by the main part of the building; but Saul pushed on to a far corner, where he found a door, upon opening which a low, vaulted passage was discovered. Iato this the prisoner was led, and preesney another door was reached, which opened with a creaking sound, and beyond which appeared a tomblike dungeon, with solid stone walls and an arched ceil- ing, into which the youth was thrust, and the door shut ypon bim. What next to expect Fabian was hardly prepared + Saga though he feared it would be some evil ing. In the meantime the Gipsy King and his captain held an earnest ccnsultation, during which they ex- hiblted much malice and rage, but did not seem able to hit upon any satisfactory course of action. “ What shall we do?” cried Mohammed, startin: up, and walking across the floor. ‘ (Gondebald, he continued, as he came back, “do you kaow that the country is already becoming hot about us?— the officers of the law have a sharp eye upon (es, my lord—I am aware of that.” “ And you know that they are liable, at any time, to poms jown upon us?” “ Yes.” “ Then it is clear enough that we must not have any dissensions in our own camp at present. Were it not for that, this trial should come off this very night. ButI dare not do it now. tain—your countenance looks bright. What new thought is it?” Gondebald bent his head a moment, with his finger pressed Ton. his brow, and then he ap- proached his chief. Whathe had to say he dared | not speak aloud, even in that place; so he whis- | ered it into the king's car.. Mchammed started as fe caughtthe idea, and convalsively grasping his wily counsellor by the hand, he exclaimed:— | a “Good Gondebald, it shall be done!—It shall be | jone! Near the middle of the forenoon—an hour after | the conference between Mohammed and his | captain—Electra ‘sat alone in her tent. She had heard some strange rumors concerning the adven- | ture of her lover, but as yet she had not arrived at | the truth. The weight of suspense was agonizing, and was about to draw her light mantle over her the entrance of Gondebald. “Sit down, Electra, sit down,” her father said. He took a seat as he spoke, and when she had to say to you. Is it not so?” “T have heard vague rumors. “And I'll wager a_ golden c J about to go out afterinformation. You were going to seek old Dione, were you not?” “Yes,” Electra replie 1; but she looked down as she spoke, for her father’s gaze was fixed upon her so keen]y that she could not meet it. “Electra, listen to me.” He spoke quickly and sternly, and the fair girl was startled as she heard his tones. “If you trast that old witch you will trust a bengue! you don’t know her. In Spain she caused the ruin of a thousand virgins like ourself. Her evil eye is upon you. Beware of er, or a worse fate shall be yours than any you ever yet dreamed of. Do you know the story of the terrible charm she wears at her girdle ?” “No,” the maiden replied, wonderingly ; for she believed that the sorceress possessed more than mortal pewer. “Did you not know that that charm was com- posed of human bones ?” “Thave heard so,” said Electra, shuddering. “Did you never hear what particular kind of bones they are 7” “Bones of the finger, I think.” “ aye,” but that is not all. Mark me: Each bone is from the right fore finger of a girl like yourself. and she wears them to mark the number of those who have falien into her fiendish toils. She must have fifty of them to make the charm all powerful. She now has eight-and-forty. She has fixed her evil eye upon you and Leda! “No! no!” cried Electra, really terrified. “0, it cannot be!” “But I know!” asserted Gondebald, slowly and emphatically. “And, now, I warn you to beware ofher. At present her power is limited; bat if you should submit to her wiles you are lost!” Electra dared not dispute her father, and yet she was unwilling to believe that Dione could mediate any such cruel plan. True, she did believe that the woman was a witch, but still she felt some con- fidence in her personal friendship. Gondebald seemed to read the girl’s thoughts, and he pre- sently interrupted them:— “But, my child, I did not mean to speak of Dione when I began; though I am glad that the thought occurred to me, for now I have given thee a suffi- cient warning ofa great danger. I meant to speak to yon of thts Fabian. Ah—you start, Youare in- terested! “Aye—I am interested,” the maiden replied, after a moment's hesitation. “I should be foolish were I to attempt the concealment of so palpable @ troth.” “J am glad that you are so frank with me, Blec- tra. But, to the a is under arrest, and in close confinement, for killing Gower and attempt- to take the life of Trogus; and if he comes to he must surely be condemned.” Electra uttered a quick cry of pain, and pressed her hand upon her heart. . “Bat,” es Gondebald, who, though he watched child », yet seemed to take no —— notice of this sudden emotion, ‘‘the King lesires to save the youth if he can, and he has called me to his counsel. We deliberated a very 1 think you have heard some news. long while upon the matter. It was evident that; if Fabian were brought to trial, his condemnation must follow, for our laws cannot be set aside. At length we hit upon the only plan by which his salvation could be effectsd. We mean to let him make his escape. Do you understand me?” “Escape?” repeated Pog “Yes. We mean to let him escape. A way will be opened to him, as though by accident, and he will be to go free.” With one of those powerful efforts, by which the maiden could at times entirely control the most most passionate emotion, she calmed the wild beating of her heart, thas utterly concealing the feel which were re her soul. She could not ly understand the plot, but that there was a plot against her lover she felt sure. Should she, at present, seek further information from her father, she that she might expose herself, so she spoke from the necessity of concealment which was upon her. | be “Tam glad,” she said, “that you have told me this; for now I shall be more easy. I did feel anxiety when I heard of Fabian’s danger. We have Deen children together—we have been laymates —and in later years we have been warm Iwill not deny that I By learned to prize his have looked upon him with more, perhaps, than a mere friendly affection. Bat, even to bear me company, I would not have him remain here and be in danger. oon glad, therefore, that you have ae gone Sompletely deceived. He had iorg the tag: Oacg + atc the maiden’s every expression, and bad . morning, and the fellow should be hanged before | But—my cap- | | side as and she resolved to seek old Dione, in hopes that | she might there gain further light. She had risen, | head, when her movements were interrupted by | done the same, he continued: “I have something | mall yard, where they were joined by Jasper, a ruffian whom we have once before noticed. In this yard were secured two large, pow- erfal bloodhounds, which leaped furiously at our hero as he entered, but their stout chains prevent- ed their reaching him. Nevertheless, he was startled by their savage movements, for he knew their dis- position too well, and he withdrew to the further corner of the enclosure. Jasper spoke to the brutes and bade them be quiet. They obeyed him in a measure by crouching away towards their kea- nel and lying down, but they still cg their fiery eyes fixed upon the ery and their low, deep growling seemed to tell that they did not fancy the presence of the interloper. ? In the meantime the three ostiladors conversed apart, and finally Saul and Auselmo approached the prisoner aod. informed him that he was to ac- company them, Y “We have learned the king’s will,” said Saul, “and we know now exactly what todo. We shall go with you a little way, and wheuyou know our object I'don't think you'll want to make any fuss, So don’t be frightened.” “Tam not used to be ingfrightened, sirs!” said Fab quickiy and proudly. x vy | ‘nt mean that you were,” responded the vil- lain. “I only mean that you should’nt have any fears of us, for I thought you looked and acted as thought you fancied we would do you harm; but as Tm ‘ive we don’t mean to harm you in the least. We're not going to hurt a hair of your head.” Our hero wondered if Saul spoke truly. If he did, then what meant this secret de; re from the camp? And, on the other hand; if they did mean, any violence, what object could they have in denying it? Perhaps, to keep hinf quiet, and thus render their work the more easy. He pon- derered upon it, and was, in the end, rather inclin- ed to doubt the truth of the villain’s assertions. Meantime they had reached the deep wood, ata joint where a narrow, blind bunting path wound its devious way among the big trees, and Anselmo had taken a small lantern from beneath his frock to help light them on, for it was very dark in the deep forest. The moon was not yet up, and the stars could dart but few beams through the rank foliage of the great oaks. Saul held the prisoner by the left arm, kesping oie by his side as they walked, while Anselmo kept as near upon the other ossible. Fabian remembered his adven- ture with Gower and Trogus upon the rocky preci pice, and he could not help feeling that these two scoundrels might be meditating the same kind of business as that which he had before frustrated. If such were the case, how should he escape? He had no weapon of any kind, while his conductors were armed to the teeth. He could think of but one chance, and that was fight. If he conld break away from the villains he might save himself. ith such thoughts in his mind he walked qui- along for some time. By and by he hesitated, etl; | and turned towards the man who held him by the arm. “Saul,” he said, with much anxiety manifest in his tone and manner, “was there poison in that food you brought me ?” “Poison? No—not a bit of it. Why—what makes you ask the question?” “Because I feel it here,” replied the held ressing his right hand upon his bosom and utter- @groan. ‘I do not feel right, O, if there was poison in it, tell_me! If {am dying, let me know!” “Bless your body, my master, you are foolish! There was no more poison in it than there is in a maiden’s kiss.” “Then what is this faintness which comes over me? Why canI not see asl would? What is it?” And the youth put forth his hand as tnough he would feel his way, at the same time staggering, and leaning heavily upon his guide. “Majaro Undebel!” ejaculated Saul, stopping, and supporting the prisoner. ‘What is all this? you must have eaten too mach, and drank too much of that cold water! I told the king he'd better send you wine! Here, Anselmo, take hold of him.” The man thus addressed, set down his lantern upon the ground, and started to obes This was the opportunity which our hero had plotted for. As soon as he saw that he had thrown the villains off their guard, he gathered all his strength for the effort, and with one blow he sent Sanl reeliag to the earth. He then took Anselmo, as he was rising from his lantern, and served him in like man- mer: and then he darted off along the narrow pith, at the top of his speed. In a little while, however, it became evident to the youth that he must soon be overtaken if he kept on in the path, for his pur- suers were i on him every moment. They were used to forest ranging, and could glide along among the tangled boughs like beasts of prey. Many he ts flashed through Fabian’s mind, but they availed him nothing. He regretted that he had not 44 and given the ruffians a few ex- tra taps on the head, while he had them down; bat ‘twas too late now. The only hope was in concealment; so, on the first opportunity, he sprang into the thick wildwood, and was strug- sling ravely on, when the voice of Saul sounded close behind him. Hej turned his head to look; and as he did so, his foot caught in @ stout yine, which sent him headlong among the un- derbrush. On the next instant Saul was upon him, with a vice like grasp upon his throat. Ina Moment more Anselmo came up, and the youth’s struggles were now in vain. As he lay there, pained and bewildered by the fall, and by. the grasp upon his throat, they bound his arms behind him ith @ stout leathern thong, and then dragged him back into the path. A huge oak was clos¢ at hand, and having forced him down by the side of this, they bound his ankles as they had done his arms, thus rendering him utterly powerless, either for flight or resistance. “Now,” said Saul, as he straightened up from his work, “I'll tell you what you've been so anxioys to know. Idon’t bear you any malice for the blow ~z face me, nor for the effort you made to escape, for I should probably have done the same myself though, I must say, if I'd got my hands upon you while the smart was in my heat, you might have got a bitter taste of Saul’s muscle. However, you're safe now, and I'll tell you what this thing all means. The King don’t seek your life—he don’t want to have the laws executed on you; so he gives you this chance of escape. Bat, mind you, you mustn’t tell anybody that you were let off on pur- poe: You must make it appear that you escaped yy your own wits. And—one thing more—you nt come back to the camp again. You'll be in — if you do.” “ Hold!” cried the youth, as the villains were about to turn away. “If it is as you say, why do you leave these bonds upon me?” “Because we were 80 ordered. The king said me get clear of them cont, enough. Perha) hey're to save him from 5; ‘ing falsely when te says he can't im how yon gotclear.” Sanl ve a low chuc! ey he - ra eaking, and hurried away, companion following close behind him. Fabian listened till the sound of retreating foot- steps was lust in the distance, and then he turned his thoughts open his mt situation. It waa strange, and, for awhile, incomprenensible; but finally he fancied that he could, at least, imagine somet of its meaning. He had been left there to die of hunger. No one ever traversed that path save the Cig eee, and they might be ept away until he starved. As these thoughts came upon him, he strained upon the bond that confined his arms; but the tough thong was proof against his utmost strength. In a little while he tried again; and he thought the bond gave a little beneath the strain; but he was soon ea' ‘that ‘twas o1 | the sinking of the thong into the flesh that | caused the apparent loosening. He sank back once more against the tree, well igh exhausted; and be now noticed thes the moon we vi BY WILLIAM HENRY PECK. Many years before the war of the Revolution there stood a time-worn edifice, of mouldering brick and crumbling stone, in the now magnificent pleasure ground which we calf the Central Park of New York. Isolated and bleak, in those days with no attempt at ornamentation upon ita rude walls, the old house had been untenanted for years, when Hugh Garrbolt saw fit to make it his habita- tion. No one then living could say to whom it belonged, or by whom it had been built; though gray-haired men told that it had sprang as from the earth, unmade by mortal hands, and fit only for the lurking place of smugglers, desperadoes or demons. The last man, within their recollection, who had lived there before Hugh Garrbolt made it his home, died there alone ; nor was he known to be dead until a wandering hunter, demanding shelter at its iron-bound door and prison-like win- dows, and receiving no reply, forced an entrance from the rear, and after striking a light with flint and steel beheld a human skeleton, clad in decay- ing leathern garments, seated in an oaken chair ghostly grimness. Before this hideous figure was spread upon a table a goodly store of silver and golden coins, which their owner, perchance, was counting when the hand of death smote him, sudden and sare. The hunter was a man of nerve, and did not hesi- tate to appropriate the treasure; and though he did not fail to tell of what he had seen iu the chair, he said not a word of what he had taken from the table; the latter truth leaked out when the hunter Became 8 man of money, married and told his wife. The honest burghers. of New Amsterdam, as its first white settlers defiantly persisted in calling New York, smoked their pipes for three months in deep cogitation and resolved unanimously that the hunter was a tremendous liar, until a tall, gauot and evil-eyed man from France set the town in an uproar by declaring that he intended to penetrate to the spot and make the house his abode. From the very day that the hunter had told his tale the shunned dwelling had been called “ The Skeleton’s | House,” and no urchin, however daring, had ven- tured within a mile of it; andas for any sensible Knickerbocker’s going there, the very idea was osterous. Tat ae Garrbolt, with a sneer that had been grooving his thin, hard face for sixty years, defied all known and unknown demons with a scoff that made the good burghers’ hair bristle over their peede, and went alone to “The House of the Ske- ton.” The burghers waited two days, and then nodded through clouds of smoke that Hugh Garrbolt was a fool. But when he retarned on the third day with | of coin so heavy that he pisepered under it | whistled that | a the burghers opened their eyes ant Hugh Garrbelt was a very onage. “T searched about the place,” said Garrbolt toa score of listeners, as his sneer deepened around his lips, “and found some masty papers which told me that an old buccaneer had lived there, and where to dig for this. I dug. these 20,000 golden crowns from under the table.” “But,” said Hans Van Schleeper, the innkeeper, as he slowly filled his pipe, “the skeleton?” | “Js there,” said Garrbolt. “My dear friends, you are all welcome to that!” The burghers smoked several hundred ounds of strong Jamestown weed during the following week, and on the eighth day resolved to claim the 20,000 olden crowns for the township. But Monsieur lugh Garrboldt had disappeared, and with him went the crowns. Twelve months rolled on and still the skeleton of the dead buccaneer held grim and unmolested watch over the table, when Fung. Albert Vande- meer paid it a visit. Albert lemeer was the only son of a most worthy and respectable widow whose husband had paid tho great and final debt when Albert was but ten years old. ars more had passed, and though the sad- he: widow held her head droopingly, as she thought of the past, her soft eyes sparkled with joy as she gazed “pos her‘manly son. Kind, generots, handsome, and affectionate, Albert, with his tall, lithe frame, keen blue eyes, and bounding step never sepes! the street ungreeted by Gossip, glance or smile from the rosy damsels that festooned the geen like living garlands of beauty on either le. But the good burghers and their better wivés shook their heads as he stepped so gaily, and said he was by far too daring, as had been his father, who lost his life in ing to swim through Hell- gate without putting out the fire of his pipe—an exploit that extin, ed pipe and life forever. ne fine day some phlegmatic youth, who envied Albert for his famous soarare bantered him to go ee spend a stormy night ouse. handsome face flushed with indignation, ‘‘and have never made them a butt for sport. ‘And that is the only reason Ihave never entered that bu 13 But if you, John Bloof, will go with me, I will stay there int.” Sha Blend taened pale At the ides, and took to his heels as his Joung, comrades lenge was fair; but Albert declared that he, alone, ould dare the unknown the place that ht. bt said he, plancing ‘at the sky, “the clouds that scud above ; foretell a stormy night to my eye.” His word was as good to who knew him as their I ar ae en Te truth, returned next day and — “The skeleton is a jovial lad, and treated me to pipes and ale—using each like a hero himself’— ver absurd the statement seem to men who held it as a firm belief that were indis- lungs pensable to smoking, and bowels to the relishing of | spiced beer. ‘Albert Vandemeer cautioned his companions to | his fond mother, who, | by his absence | him conceal his from th she not be alarmed roof for a night, would undoubtedly have g » had she dreamed of this perilous with his father’s tras and mood old cutlass that had cloven the ade of some dozen or more red &av: Albert was on his way towards the a1 Spot, nor did many hours pass ere he found himself before it, de- spite the roughness of the journey and the maze undergrowth that then covered an It "wood, here and 2 backs of huge rocks that seemed like and a of a ston’ | f their way to the upper air. One iron ound | door front and two. strong oaken shuttered windows, all as firmly closed r the tomb, met the youth’s first glance as pian | before it. He walked cautiously around it, and found similar entrances in the rear, but the door <--R i forty skeletons, sinews might cloine them "At first, he cern ig, bat wi became accus tomed to the 2 al gloom he saw the silent aud fleshiess sentinel still grinning in terrible tality over the worm eaten table, w! moldering bone of its frame damp around it, Looking closely, the youth EE in “The Skeleton’s “Tve a respect for tombs,” said Albert, as his vowed the chal- called in the aid of her stout aad stern brother, the | rich jistols, (“up ip lok | tangled | entrance toa | He trembling girl, and griping with its long spider-like | claws, thie thio clad in Micose robes of a reddish brown, snarled, “What are you here for? Go away! She's to be my wife when Hugh comes back! Go away!” “ah! he will murder me if you go!” cried the girl, clasping her snowy hands. “Oh! if you go take me away you. uncle stole me from my — in Virginia—he is keeping me to force my father, the husband of Garrbolt's sister, to igo away all his property to him to get me back—do not feave me!” “T'll tear him to 08 if he doesn’t” snarled the dwarf. “I saw his tracks near the house and here Tam—true to Hugh.” Instantly seeing that the dwarf was of low in- tellect, if not an jot, Albert did not wish to shed his blood, but ordering him to get out of the way | he turned to snocereee We girl. | zm 28 sett @ bound the Red Dwarf was at | his threat Manfully, then, did Albert's stout sinews, tough- ened in many a wrestle with his burly comrades, second his gles, The dwarf was a giant in strength and as active asa panther. He howled, snapped his sharp teeth, and tried to sink them iato Albert’s throat, who used his strength alone, dis- ate the weapons in his belt, and having cast aside his cutlass. For fully half an hour the con- teat was doubtful, but at I Vandemeer, exert- ing all his prowess, hurled foe headlong down the trap, just as the head and face of Hugh Garr- bolt, pale and death-like, was peering from below. The weight and impetus of the vanquished dwarf bore Garrbolt down with him against one of the iron spikes used as a means of ascent. For the continuation of this sketch see the num- ber of the Ledger which will be ready on Monday, and for sale at all the book atores. MADELINE’S CROW. BY MARY ORME. *“T have clipped his wings, Miss Madeline, and you may tame him and have him for company. I have killed the old ones; andIcan’t bear te -kill this youngster, for he can’t pall up corn yet, and if i he lives with yon he wil never do suy mischief.” | Tears were inthe great boy's eyes who had | brought me the young crow. “I wish I did not ever have to kill anything. I at sny book store would rather share the corn with the crows if it ‘was mine, but father will have them killéd.” - “I am sure, Jobn,” said I, “that acrow can never be tamed.” | “You are mistaken, Miss Madeline.. Brother George had one two or three years, that was tame as a cat, but so full of mischief that he came toa bad end. But nothing will go wrong that you have the care of. Ihave been a better boy ever since you came here, and I wish I had something to give Teen oro I am very h obliged to “Lam, sure, ) I am much o! j 1th Wee Ta cal baad See aes “ 1 , and Bi a of é yor go away Now, John Pollard was a great, good natured boy, about my own age, and who seemed much ounger, I had stopped his qi with other ys, and had otherwise improved , from a feeling of general good will to his species, and be- cause he had taken a boy’sliking to me, and would do what IJ advised. ‘ I was s motherless child, and lived with the family of Mr. Allen. The Allenagyere friends of my father, who was then.in Califo Sores. no pa- rents, or brothers and sisters to love, I friends with all the children in our school, was a good scholar, wrote verses and stories, and loved pets so much that every little while I was made dreadfully miserable by the death of a chicken or a kitten, or some one of my large and varied family. Somehow I never had pets enough—I suppose because I loved them in a general sort of way. [had been very lonely and unhappy, mourning for my dear mother, s elin; absence very mach, though everybody go kind to me, when that ane hearted boy gave me the crow. Pe I believe very few people know what real home- sickness is. For two yqars after my father left me Iwas homesick. It seems ® wrong to the dear friends with whom I lived to confees the fact, bat so it was. And I comforted myself with mach study, and writing, and petting the children, espe- cially the Pollards, who were good, honest souls, ae ‘who looked up to me asabeing of a higher sphere. P When I was fifteen Mr. Allen’s brother came. to reside with him. He opened an office in the village and added himself to our family, though he spent his time mostly at his office, and in his own room. Though grave and taciturn, he was a very pleasant man, and all loved or admired him in a sort of far- oft way. I never could tell how he won all hearts, but such was the fact. Everybody loved him, just as John Pollard loved me. As I was very timid and shy, I made almost all my friends among children and anim: I soon be- came very much attached tomy bird. I called him it in compliment to his dark plumage, and he many ways of showing affection for me. We soon became ble companions. He nestled in my lap, or my sleevé, when I was studying or writing, and he perched on my shoulder when I walked over the village. John Pollard was a happy boy when he saw how delighted I was with ik pet. Ieven gradged the time I spent in church, because I could not take my bird with me. One evening I was in the yard in front of the house, which was a small flower garden, amusing: myself with Night, when Mr. William Allen came home from his office. He had never noticed me before, though he had been some time at home. I would hardly dare tell what a hero of romance that tall, dark, grave man was to me. I knew he was & fine scholar, and Miss Abbott, who was my teacher, had great awe of his erudition. I dreamed twice about him, before he had been two weeks in the po tel longed, and yet dreaded, to have speak me. Thad given Night a piece of cheese, and he had buried it in the soft mould of # flower bed; as it was fairly buried he dog it up, and Piece and ate it; then he buried it again, on my shoulder, but immedi&tely back, and again dug up his cheese, made another quotation it, whic! ate with great ear Ps pe ial : i : gee i it ovhen in en at a safe distan: ey were a and hid his ahveas in the earth. Miss nScony “ down upon the door step, and gave her attention te oo crotchet work and th She 5 much, and laid it against her ht br pA: t light flaxen curls, so scanty aad ks es a ; net ‘ks hie me it ‘ed ,. wanaen wy on your hair, Madeline,” said Mr. ean nt it over my head, and they both e el which was pi Just then a good cry. I sat down on the L bor itenrere nk Ntetehrtrh ac ee OOK OUT FOR, THE NgW YORK LEDGER, Om ie crow re like, that Rmouieren what she could want and ab: umming bird attracted Mias Kea- ‘on’s attention. She took the net from Mr. Wil- iam, and laid it down, the doorstep. I put down Night, and went with them to see the ek bird himself almoat im visible in the of a-hollyhock blossom. Whea we returned, where to be seen. them, fe rene we had looked everywhere and could not ine Miss Kenyon fixed u me could not have hurt Mogel cruelly. and went away into the garden, and took refuge a summer house, where had indulged with some tassels for it, om crimson net and tassels were no I was the praised ct of crimson over my golden brown hair, ’ andant , : ‘ { ‘ one beside missing articles, I Felt the sharp Sink sus; n, A stab left the house, in manya ' the seat and was nk tie van I me low grumbling of ie me. I him, ‘snd. he by ; MONDAY atl = o’slock. 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