The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-12-09

be tapped on The shoulder by an oincer, WHO lolu
me he had writ for me on the suit of Mcssrs.
Snip and Shears; aud requested me to favor him
with my company to the nearest magistrates. At
the same time perceived the laiior's clerk, who
had evidently kept me in view,and pointed me out
to the officer. 1t was in vain for ne 10 protest !
was not the man intended Mr. Clark said ''lhe
gentleman was very good Il, the story" What,
| asked myself, if it should happen not TO suit the
convenience of Messrs, Snip and Shears to attend
at the magisu,e's' | felt very well assured |
should be liberated as soon as they saw me; but
they might have delegated the whole business to
the clerk, who would moi hesitate TO swear was
james J. Smith, because had admitted was;
and then bail would be demanded, and, for want
of il, linus, be Immediately packed off to prison.
The thought of this degradation filled me with
sudden fury; and without taking time to reflect
upon the consequences, | knocked the officer
down, though he was burly fellow, twice MS big
as myself kicked The little clerk into the gutter,
and Immediately ran of, hoping to make my way
Brown should arrive in the city.
This proved more difficult undertaking than
expected; for Immediately IL great hue and cry
was raised; and, the streets being pretty full of
people, (lor it was not yet eleven o'clock,) | was
followed and headed, and assaulted on both Hanks (;
so lha, it was only by taskins my activity to the
utmost, and diving mo every alley and by-way
tina, offered, tia, managed TO avoid my pursucrs.
My greatest fear was OF losing my way; for 1
knew but little of the city, and the uniformity of
its streets, and the great family resemblance be-
tween all its houses are very perpcxing to s,ran-
ger. Yet thought was keeping the run of the
streets, Notwithstanding my various doubllngs ;and
by and by | was sure that a large house now in
sight was my boarding house, because it looked
exactly like it, and was similarly situated near an
alley which-or one of the perfect fac-simile of il,
Il had taken notice of during the day.
As came nigh the house found myself cut of
from the doors by some persons, who were run
ming from the opposite direction TO intercept me-.
therefore plunged down the alley, which was
badly lighted, and soon conducted me to another
slll darker one, which, perceived, ran al the
back of the houses, bounding the yards and gar
dens, which were merely enclosed with walls and
idea struck me that | might perhaps enter the
boarding. house through the garden gate, which |
knew must he the second beyond the alley. ]
tried the latch; it did not yield; but | had not
Withdrawn my hand when the gate itself was
thrown open; and, upon my rushing in, it was i'm
mcdialely closed again, and boiled behind mr; and
all ibis, was certain, without my having been
seen from without; for none of my pursuers had
got into the alley. Besides, the gate was ovel-
hung by great tree, which daIkened ,he alley
and the whole yard; so that | could see nothing
of The person who hid let me in, except that il
was woman. And this she made still more man
fest, by taking me round the neck, and giving me
hearty buss, cxcniming,
us it you, Jimmy, my dear' And how came
YOU 50 late? aud wha, is it makes all this rackc,
and runnng'"
90" whispered I, in some confusion "Ihcrc
has been fight, and the police are taking up eve.
ybody."
"Thal's just like you, Jimmy, you goose"
said my unknown darling, giving me another buss
"sloppin. TO see every fight, though you might
lose lolune by it. But come along; don't say
single word. III take you up stairs. I've pct
gu, the lights. Have you got your sundays best
on Yes, | feel tina, YOU have Don't say one
word. OF somebody will discover US"
Who was n.y iuamora,a, Tia, was more than
could toll Bot i, was cyidcn, she took me for
somc one else, her sweetheart; and thai. was II
character which, 10 avoid discovery, ial, compel
led TO keep up, until hid got into The house,
when designed giving her the slip, and rctrcaing
to my own chamber. But this, found, was an
achievement, not to be Immediately effected; for,
FIRST she ncL me very lovingly around the nccl, in
bonds; aud, neat, when we ~, into the house
Though the back door, it was so dark tha, could
recognize nothing knew; everything was novelty
and mystery. But coad hear the various sounds
Of mirlh and chatter and especially two or three
pianoes and other musal Instruments cchoing in
different pats Of the house.
In this confused state til, damscl led me up to
n little room at the head Of the stains on the Sec
ond story where, being, if possible, still more in
the dark than ever, she gayc me new hug, and
said,-
snow, Jim, lad, I'll hell you all about it, and
what yoa are 10 do. exactly. You see, she is to
run way" (shc' lhoIsh, |; what shell "and !
will, hcr-at least, slr thinks so. We arc to 90
of the cars 10 Baltimore; they go in half an
hour; and she's in agrcat hurry. suppose she
mas Il lover down thue; but he can be worth lay-
ing, il he wont CONF after her. We are to co of
in men cluihps lprnusp we shall troypl nv mint