Litchfield enquirer., 1836-07-07
THE MYSTERY

ktme bncloent tlAaI constitutes this mva.
terry happened just as relate it. The
writer can hurt no ono by its recital, for
those whose feelings might have been pain
ed by the allusion, are no mOre.)
In the summer Of 1876, the Inhabitants
ofthc little village Of NJ were cOnsid-
erably excited BY an occurrence Of more
than common mystery, which for time
reused its feeling to a pitch Of curiosi,y the
more lntoierable, since it seemed very cer-
tam 1t would never be gratiGed by any ex-
PLANTATION.
1t was Saturday evening-the tranquil
village in its valley was undisturbed by any
noise save the occasional tinkliDs of the
farmers teams, or the bleating Of the flocks
IN the Iuxuriant fields--ihe villagers were
all harmIessly enjoying lhenselves-some
standing at the wicket gates, Others sitting
at their humble meals with the cottage doors
thrown open for the admission of,he small
portion of the sultry air which was stirring:
when, just as the church clock chimed
half-pasl-fve, travelling chariot and four
was observed dashing down the hill into the
village. The sight alone created no little
establishment but the n,arvelling increas-
ed when this same dark brown chariot. With
out arms. crest or initial, stopped at the
little public-house dignifed by the title of
the Castle lnn,' and gentleman alighted.
assisting female figure so completely On.
veloped in the drapery Of summer, that
nonght save one fair wasted hand, which
seemed to cling to the supporting arm Of
her companion, was visibleA-itywas the left
hand. but no gold badge ON its third finger
tended to confirm the village gossips in their
opinion that the visiiers were bride and
bridegroom. .e>ra-
The blinds Of the room into which they
were nshered wero instantly drawn down.
and after having simply ordered rooms for
FOUR, the maid and man servant retired To-
their sitting apartment. No luggage reoui-
red the foOtman's care-no baskets detain.
ed the maid--no card informed the won.
dcring landlord whom he entertained, and
little NJ was all up in arms.
~ About two hundred yards out Of the vii
lage was a venerable pile remarkable for
its magnificent site and gallery Of pictures,
called M---- Place, and i, being what is
termed a shosO-AOMse,' many were the Wis
tiers from the surrounding towns, one OF
which was fashionable and frequented
watering place. On Wednesdays and Sat
urdays, it was, as is now, open from / ,un-
til 6, after which time the Emperor of all
the Russias might demand admiitance in
vain. ~ sftIgt.f-. K, = 49, r.ta /
Al ten minutes to six, the nauUcaw arriue
was observed walking down the village at
a rapid pace-he turned into the church.
yafd-threaded bis way with hasty steps
through the grave-stones, and after spring.
ing over the stilc, crossed the noblc lawn
on. which stood the Castle ruin, aud rang
violently at the portal-gate. m Fl VS.. a
ltwas opened by the old portrcss. VI,
aa' Is NJ Place still TO be seen T. de-
handed the stranger. h.s8 .+".'--'-e.1
1t is open on Wednesday and Satur-
day, but you are too late to see it to day,
was the answer. .....s,.ss.-. ss,lt IN a,.ll.
- Too late 7 exclaimed the agi.ated APP
plicant, impossible is not yet six-do
not deny mel cannot be too Iate--a
friend, i'll, dying perhaps, is with me--wc
have travelled seventy miles this day on
purpose-I ann not too late y
1T wants five minutes 10 six, Sir said
the old woman, and being Saturday night
we shut up earlier--l cannot admit you,
SIR
my good woman = cried the visiter in
voice Of suppressed agony, If money
will open that gate il is yours-my fortune
any thing, shall be yours, only allow a
lady-a young lady. TO enter for one short
hour
But, SIR persisted the FORTRESS, il is
against nv Lords rules
Impossible the owner would not hes
itate did he know nii-a!l that I do! My
good woman, IL to night is impossible, will
you admit Us Tomorrow ...
SUNDAY, Sir oh uQ-can't the lady
come on Wednesday, ,a.
"Wednesday Good God one may end
her life. My FRIEND continued the stran-
ger, grasping the old woman's arm, will
tell you the tru,h-this lady is young, beau
tiful, and dying-in strange land-her
last and only wish is to see but for mo-
ment these ruins, where her happiest hours
were spent it is impossible that SHE can
live a week-nOw pause before you an
swer me-this is a case almost Of life and
dea,l.-wiIl you open these gates by nine
Tomorrow, before serviceG
The old woman wavered some time and
at last consented. 6tr-
Thank you. said tho stranger, drawing
his hat over his eyes you will not repent
this-we will be pUnctual.'
As may be imagined. this alone tended
to mystify the FORTRESS greatly. who had
seen from the ramparts the new arrival !:
and the next morning before nine. She was
waiting at the s.ile in state Of hurried ex-
pecta,ion. -.