Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-01-14


need harbor no uniavorable opinion of c.,
or suspect even if he had large sums of mo-
ney when he become of aye, that he came
by il dishonesty; for he had innocen,ly be-
come possessed of paper by which he
could command as much money as he
wanted. This cnigmatical communication
caused the lady great uneasness,and led her
to suspect that G.. was knowing TO some high
crime in others, who were bribing HIM TO
secrecy. Aud she therefore took an oppor-
tnity to question him alone, asking him if
he had noto Of hand, on which he was en-
pecting to receive large sums of money ?
He denied having any rotc, but finally con-
icsscd that he had a paper with the sigma
lures of two men affixed to il, which would
command money enough, if he chose
to cxac, it ; but, he said, 4" the affair so much
worried his mind, that he was tempted to
destroy the instrument, and have no more to
do with the disagrceable business" lie
then, though refusing to explain any further,
asked to heradvis him whether he should give
or retain the paper 7 Being now confirmed
in her suspicious, that c. was conceaing
some great crime for others, who might some
day seek his ruin to hide their own guilt, she
advised him, by all means to retain the pa
per, for his own safety. After this, though
deeply perplexed and distressed, the lady
made no more attempt to draw the secret
from the young man, who continued to re-
side in the family as before, and, as before,
seemed always flush of money, TO which he
attached, apparently, but little value. And
so the matter rested, until Mr.. B., IA broth
er of Mrs. NJ, aud "A merchant Of New Or
leans, returning to Vermont, on a summer
visit, came to spend a few days with his
sister, the lady Just named, who, making Il
COMPLIANT of the former, and relating TO him
what G. had told her, as well as her suspi-
cions, which, not knowing where or how the
consequences might fall, she dared to reveal
TO no one, and requested him TO have pri-
vate interview with G. get at the bottom
Of the mystery, if he could, and give him
such advice as he thought the circumstances
required. In compliance with this request,
Mr. 3. in with "A few days offered 10 carry c.
to nciglhoring town, where, Il short time
before, the latter had engaged as "A clerk in
store. The proposal being gladly accept
ed, the two set out in IA single wagon; and
during the ride, and while Mr. B. was think
! ing how he should breach the subject, c.,
after promising that he was in possession OF
a fearful secret, wmcl, destroyed all his
peace Of mind, and that he had long been
looking for Il coniidant to whom he dare UNI
bosom himself, and receive in return some
competent advice, voluntarily proceeded TO
make the following startling disclosure, ac-
compancd throughout, with every appear
ance Of sincerity, and even with obvious
agitation and distress.
zone evening in November, four years
ago this fall" he said, /" went down on
horseback to the tavern at Berlin-corncr, 10
attend Il meeting Of the Young men there,
to choose nianocors. and make other ar
engagements for IA ball. 1t was very late,
about midnight, probably, before we broke
up, when ! started for llcmc alone. While
thinking over our arrangements for the ban
for which had just been chosen one of the
managers, reached the border Of the great
cedar swamp, when caught glimpse OF
two men carrying something on their Shout
dcrs, and hurrying along down an old over
grown timber road, winch strikes in near
the corner Of the woods there on the right
and runs OFF sontliwcstery nearly to the
Neck Of the pond. Surprising them to be
some Of the young fellows Of my acquant-
ancc, taking this sly way to 90 down to the
pond with a seine TO make Il haul of picker
cl, which was then against the law, though
| would follow them and take them by sur.
prise. SO tied my horse to a tree, afle
| had rode fairly by the path, went back
entered the path, aud cautiously procecr'ct
on their track. After following short dis
lance, came in sigh, of them, Just as they
were laying their burden (Which supposed
was large srin rolled up,) down on tn,
ground to rest or listen. then sprang for
ward to the spot where they stood, and
giving one Of them playful slap on tin
shoulder, exclaimed, in IA tone between spor
and earnest, Now my lads, I've caugh
you" and at the same time reached dow
10 get grasp on the supposed sein; when
instead of feeling any thing like "A sein,
caught hold of the stiff, cold hand Of ii dea
man! | started back perfectly horror
struck; and, for several minutes, | had II
power to stir or speak. The two men, also
seemed almost equally coniounded, an
stood as il they were rooted in their track,
staring at me and each other. As soon a
| recovered my faculties sufficiently to do i
: | looked at their faces and dress, coul
: distinguish enough to know that they wcr
: none of those whom | had suspected, br
Two citizens Of the village Of -, who wcr
! known TO me by sight as, it seems, | was I
f them. My next thought twas to try to retreat
5 and they probably saw something in N;
, that caused them to suspect my intentions
Y for one of them instantly grasped my cola
and in sort Of fierce whisper, said, 'Yo
q can't go-yon have seen too mucli-yo
= must die = Still did not, could not speal
f nor scarcely struggle and | thus stoo
e nearly passive in his strong grasp, some me
mcnis, when the man who held me iurne
!, hlshead away and whispered few sccont
q with his confederate. After this the M,
@ rclaxad his hold a little, and they both seen
d ed to hesitate, and one Of them sail to m,
@ still talking in the same harsh, eager Win
If per- II we were surc-if you would swci
n swear by all that's sacred-and then W
e could be sure that VIC could trust you-pe
+, haps.