Litchfield enquirer., 1832-09-27
From the Ne.O- York Courier & Enquirer.
MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR.

down. and drawn by two grey horses, was
seen crossing the Bowery and rafting up one
of the streafs which run towards the East |
River. On the carriage box two men sat, !
one Of them driving, and the other with
huntsman's cap pulled blutiy over his brow
the latter was stout and athletic. 1t was
difficult at times to see exactly the features
offhe driver and his companion--The moon
occasionally shone brightly over the city, but
there we're large masses Of floating dark clouds
in the sky which often Obscured her beams.
Sometimes too the shadows Of the high'hous-
es flung partial darkness over the streets.
Before two story brick house, with neat
porticO, greensblnds apparently, the carriage
made dead stop. The suddenness with
which the horses were refined in. almost threw
them back upon their launches. They snor-
ted slightly, shook themselves, paved the
pavement and stood still. The stout person
who sat beside the driver, sprang, 10 a single
bound, to the street-opened the carriage
door, fupg down the Steps, and touched his
cap. A tall gentleman with dark frock coat
closely buttoned up descended the steps. He
reached the ground. For moment he cast
his eyes around him. The driver was stand
ing by his horses hcads-the wind quiyering
gently the leaves Of tree that grew at short
distance-tbe bright CLEAN ofthe moon which
at this moment broke over the city-his SER
want standing at the foot Of the carriage steps
ALI these he glanced his eye over with a
singular suddenness of manner, and rested it
for moment an the window to the left Of
the door. Holding up his finger TO the serv.
ant as much as to say, /" this is the place" he
sprung up the three stone steps which led 10
the door and leaning over the slender iron rail
ing to the left, gently tapped the green win
dow blind. He stood still a few moments 10
the attitude Of one listening. The horses
were pawing the pavement still your hors-
es, Tom" said the mum standing at the car
rage steps, ia grnf vglice the driver.
While the gentleman was still hanging round
the door, a bolt was withdrawn. the door
slowly opened, and forth Issued lady cnvel.
oped 10 travelling hat and large shawl so
that her face could scarcely be seen. Her
figure was elegant-somewhat slender--slight-
w above the common height, and in her step
there was bounding lightness that spoke of
youth. The gentleman after few broken
exclamations--" All !" "Ahm and such like,
put his arm half round her waist, led her
with the other hand down the three steps
across the side pavement to the carriage
just as she put her. foot on the carriage steps,
she turned suddenly round, threw the shawl
haif back, and utfering in tone Of deep feel
ing several words which were not all distinct
iarly clear, although it was scarcely above
whisper. In another moment she was seat
ed in the carriage with the gentleman at her
side.
A stout short woman followed the other
lady and shut the house door quietly after her. |
She seemed from the band box she carried to !
be in the capacity of an attendant. The man I
in the cap who still stood at the steps, met |
her on the middle Of the pavement and hand |
ed her into the carriage with sort of rude !
imitation of the couple who had just preceded |
them. He then ratified up the steps-shnt !
the door, and in a half tone cried "Tom, be |
off," The driver Immediately mounted his
box, the other jumped up behind, and away
it relied in the same direction it had come.
All this was done in about Ten minutes, and
there was no such thing as watchman seen
in the street. Indeed in this part Of the city,
the cholera has frightened several Of the night !
guardians; or perhaps the corporation has |
become economical 10 its old age.
In few seconds the carriage was driving
up the Bowery at pretty rapid pace. When
it reached the upper end where the new rail
road is being laid, the street is somewhat I'M
even and dsjointed and full of holes; and |
here the driver slackened into fast walk. At |
this moment the man 10 the cap, who had |
been riding behind till now, jumped down
on the coach box. The driver and he ex-
changed words, and againthe " hip was crack
ed-the horses jumped into very fast trot,
and left the Bowery behind them in few
minutes.
The night was exceeding beautiful and
bright at times--rather cool. but very pleas
ant. The carriage run on in the direction of |
the Bioomingdale road. The horses trotted |
up the hill at the House OF Refuge, and almost |
broke into run beyond the fork Of the road
formed by the ninth Avenue and Blooming
dale road. The day previous had been quite
dusty, but the dew had fallen heavily, or per.
haps a shower, and it was laid quite low. Not
word was heard from any lip, either inside
or outside the carriage, till Il had passed some
distance beyond Ratterson's and the Rock
Cottage on the road to Manhattanville. Be-
yond what is called the Rock Cottage, inst
before you get to the brow of the hill on this
side Of the Vile, the road runs for short dis
fance along the face OF a steep ACTIVITY, at the
foot Of which the ripples Of the Hudson are
hear enough almost to be counted. Here
ftill deep-t0ned voice broke from the carriage
1.-The man ia the carriage said :. Aye, aye,
sir''-the driver stopped his horses--the step
vent down, and 10 a few minutes all were on
their feet Where is the, foot path, Mau.
rice ]" asked the gentleman 10 the dark frock,
fhe lady then hanging heavil. on his right arm.
Mnm 40 A-a -. ~ - "A