Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-02-09

city, gradually subsidlng into the short inter
val of comparative stiffness which marks tn
short period of repose Of its summer nights
Presently heard the footsteps Of one ad
vancing along the sidewalk, and dim form
stopped at the palings in front of humble
four-A slight knock, cough, and,as l though
whistle. Impelled by, l don't know VIVA
motion, l crossed over Just in time to be ad
mitted, along with the other, into the area
Ii was all dark, and we moved onward ant
then dopn into the lower regions Of the pre-
misses. We entered what l took to be ;
long corridor or passage, for our movements
made slight echoes above and around US
Our conductors step appeared to me be-
tween the unknown and myself l struck
my foot against brick, and the blow pro.
duceed SO lively an impression on the very
core (of corn) that uttered an inverted
blessing. A soft hand was upon my breast
and thence, soon finding my mouth, it press
ed that dangerous organ for an instant. |
returned the pressure with my lips as well
as could, for the touch was slightly electric
or galvanic in its effect. A gentle voice, in
the very least audible whisper in the world,
said:
'HlSht J!
began to consider this an Adventures
kitchen adventure, peradventure, but lais-
ser allie, as the saving is.
{ Hsht ! don't open your mouth again, but
follow me and obey my directions; for the
present, stay where you are.
| CROPPED with my hand till | felt deli
cate little arm, which very gently squeezed,
in token of assent. was alone; whether
on, or little under, the crust Of this earth,
| could not tell. The atmosphere of this
subterranean passage was none Of the pur-
est, to the very sensible dampness around,
must ascrbe the creeping chill which run
over me, somewhat as the shower bath, but
without its refreshing effects. The first ex-
element of adventure beginning to subside,
and the dead silence in such a confoundedly
dungeon-like place, were working great
reaction in my ideas as TO the proprlety of
the step had taken, and vague notions of
what might be were getting uppermost in
my mind. 1t occurred to me that l might
have made IA mistake in the house, or the
number of the street. Yet I could not be
deceived on that score, for my previous re-
had been quite thoroughly and
Understandings made, and, above all, who
but Julia cc..'I - Icing ',.>''''~. and
guide, perhaps protector, in that strange
place! thought of burkers, counterleilers,
robbers, and other associations who might
have established their den here, on whose
| was now standing. But julia
drove all that out of my head she could not
be the confederate, associate-not even the
daughter of such outlaws. knew or rather
felt. | could not be mistaken in that voice,
whose clear silver, bell-like tones were as
familiar to my ear as no other sound can ev-
er be. So, on the whole, my confidence
and my circulation returned with the warm
glow of hope, love, and so forth, and re-
solved to see this affair through to its end, be
that end what it might, as become a man
and a member of the gallant fourth and
should luck favour me, to pass the shank of
the evening" as they say down in Georgia,
with my fair one.
HIsht' again, right at my elbow.
In the rest was smo,hered in that
same, soft little hand. knew it must be
very, very white, so kissed it.
You are very rash and foolish boy 10
thrust yourself in here but there's no help
for it now. You don't know what you've
done, nor what may come of it, MOI what
trouble shall have to get you back to day.
light again.
MY dear Miss Julia, am in no particu-
lar hurry for daylight with YOU
Hold your tongue, sir, and listen to me.
They'll be coming now, every minute for
the next hour, and dare not attemp, to pass
you out the way we come in. There's half
a-dozen already in, and there's only one
place-the coal-hole.'
The coal-hole 2
Yes, and you ought TO be thankful for a
safe shelter from the consequences, to both
of US, of your imprudence.'
And where am !, then =
There you 60 again. Come, sir, will
you follow met
Follow you?' said I. laying my hand on
my left breast, Oh Julia. any where
My speech was cut of IN the midst as be-
fore, saluting the cover, as usual.
There SAID she at length, closing and
fastening the door; sit down, be quiet, and
wait further orders
'She was off.
L was in the cole hole.
Through barred opening looked in
upon dimly-lghted room, long, narrow,
and with very low ceiling. At one end
was an elevated platform, with a chair and
table, the seat being occupied by burly,
beer-drinking parsonage with hideous ply
siognomy, and the many benches we're filled
with the most motley-looking crew that inn
aginaton could paint, or that eye ever saw.
Some were dressed in antique Dutch cos
tune, with peaked hats, doublets, enormous
breeches and huge boots; others were in conf
mon sailor clothes, with blue jackets and
shining talpaulin hats; some nondescripts
with but scant covering to their dirty per-
sons, and few quite respectable and well
dressed individuals. The chairman, secre-
tary, and some of those Immediately around
the platform, had scarfs and insignia, resem.
bling, somewhat, those worn by odd-fellows
or masons. observed, too, as I ran my
eye over this mixed and novel collection,
that great proportion of them appear to be
foreigners, for could distinguish Spaniards
| nntchmap Garnans and Irish Mar n,y