AN AUXILIARY OF DEATH.

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obedience to the commands of so absolute aninterrogator.

In exhibiting his means to effect the destructionof the human race, he produced a mixture whichhad the power so to canker and corrode the heartit once entered, that neither wealth nor great-ness could withstand its baneful influence; and,while the fiendlike power was describing the va-rious characters that had sunk beneath the effectsof this subtle poison, it seemed as if Care himselfcould be diverted from carefulness when ardentlyemployed. The details of his operations, and theartifices used by the afflicted parties to disguisetheir malady, threw a fitful gleam over the coun-tenance of the grim tyrant, that gave a momentaryemotion to his ghastly features; but whether theexpression was surprise, or triumphant malignity,was not easily to be determined.

A pause of some length ensued, after which Carewas permitted to touch, by way of approbation, theicy hand of Death, and to receive a regular commis-sion enlisting him into the various forces employed

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