Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-07-04

where to be found. The bridegroom for
while frantic with grief at the thought Of los
ing the cherished idol of his heart, and the
circumstance Other disappearance being en-
velopcd in an unde6nabe mystery height
ened the poignancy of his distress, and his
cup of happiness was dashed to the earth
Just as he was raising it TO his lips.
Mr.. Black and Hiuy whose disappoint-
ment had wrought them up to such pitch
of anger, that they determined to revenge
themselves on some one, when they heard
of Heens mysterious disappearance, imme-
diately resolved to turn this fact to their
own advantage. Under pretence of walk
ing out for pleasure, they reported that hav-
ing arrived near the buried chest, they
heard persons engaged in earnest conversa-
ton, and on the nearer approach, to their
horror, beheld Helen in company with sew
eral persons just retreating from the chest,
which when they reached they found emp
ty. True enough Helen left in company
with the robbers just before they arrived,
but thev never saw her, nor had they the
least suspicion that she had been near there,
but they invented this base fabrication,
making it look as plausible as possible, in
the vain hope of preiudcing the minds of
the people, against Helen, aud turning such
prejudice to their own advantage. 1t is I'M
necessary to say that this story was credited
only by very few of the villagers, and it
was treated by Mr.. RuggIes and William
with scorn, and with feeling that babe the
slanderers beware how they let their lying
tongues tamper with the fair fame of one
they held so dear. So Incensed was Mr.
Ruggles that he Immediately forbade Mr.
Black the privilege of visiting his house and
discharged Hit,y from his service. They
soon left the village together, but where
they went, few knew and less cared. The
idea that Helen, "the loved and lost" who
had been brought up, and lived for years
among them, aud had scarce ever, created
an enemy from the whole of her aquain-
lance, was the robber, was not for moment
, harbored by her friends. On the contrary,
, they feared tina, some calamity had befalen
her and all felt anxious for her safety.
; During the hubbub and confusion caused
by the disappearance of Helen and the mon
, ey chest. Obadiah took occasion to leave
Mr.. Ruggles, without leaving word where
he had gone, or why he went. His alb
: sence was very little noticed hy the fami-
: Iy, their attention being entirely engrossed
$ with the mysterious disappearance of Helen
aud the money chest.
CHAPTER III.
, We will now leave Mr.. Ruggles and the
e disconsolate young man, together with the
Y villagers, in sorrow at their loss, and pay a
visit TO the cave on the mountain.
2 On the third evening after the robbery OF
i Mr.. Rugges, and the hasty and unlocked
r for postponement of the marriage ceremony
e of William Edwards and Helen Arson
t there was seated around an immense table
in the centre ofthe largest apartment of the
5 cave called by the bandtti, the Council
: Chamber" the gang that occupied the cave
d This apartment was used only when con.
] sultaton or meeting required that the band
d should all be present, 10 act upon any sub
l. ject, either of a contemplated robbery, oil
n the division ofthe "spoils" Gas politician
d would say of some successful depreciation
i that had taken place.
i Here were congregated a horde of men
d now degraded to the lower point ofvice and
e infamy, the most of whom had once filled
y useful and honorable stations in society,"
S Here was the lawyer the merchant, the me.
= chanc In short. nearly every class and
: trade was represented in this council oil
e wickedness They had once been orna.
o ments TO society but now they were the re-
e verse of any thing pertaining TO usefulness
awless, degraded drunken and debauched
It gang, pest to the people ofther neighbour
/ hood, disgrace to mankind, and libel on
e the laws Of God. And among the assem-.
IS bage there was scarcely one but that could
e trace the thread Of his iniquitous life bacl,
II to the commencement of his drinking, gam.
If bling, and unsteady habits. This was the
e gang that had committed the robbery spo
ken ofin the preceding chapter, and cap.
n tured Helen, whom they supposed wa:
= watching them, and therefore were obliged
J. to take her with them, to the mountain &c
e avoid detection. The marauders we're rega
n ling themselves freely from the bottles thai
h stood before them upon the table Thi.
lie was the usual manner of commencing theil
lie evening "spree," but this evening there was
D. an addition to the programme of Arrange
D. ments." and "order of the day." which wa,
Of considered by all parties interested, as "tht
he most important feature of the bill" 1t wal
N nothing else than division of the "spoils'
ir of their late successful robbery.
E. Now for the contents of the chest, Cap
$, tain Arson, exclaimed one of the gang
ly rough, notwithstanding individual, with
t. flushed face, and sunken eye, who hat
i, been impatiently waiting for the dividing o
r. the prize. This request was soon repeate'
ne by every one present, but the Captain wa
r. deeply eliminating upon some subject appa
TO renily irrelevant to that which occupied tn
I'd minds of a majority of the gang, and he di'
H. not seem to heed their appeal.