The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1845-01-30
THE DOOM
THE TORY'S GUARD.
by NEWTON NJ. CURTIS.

Van Loan saw that the girl was in re
ality i'll, land he hastily left her apartment
In few moments after his exit, Miss 10
sephine made her appearance, and pro
ceeded to administer to Alice draught o
some medical preparation, from which If
a short time, she experienced great relief
All that night and through the mex
day, Josephine was faithful in her attend
ance and administrations. AT the expir
alton of that time Alice was quite recov-
cred, experiencing however a Sigh
weakness, as q consequence upon hel
attack. She sought her couch thai
night. feeling far better in health anc
spirits than she had since her con
fnement. She sank into a profouht
sleep soon after retireing, from which she
was aroused near midnight by her uncle
who again entered her apartment, ant
commanded her to arise.
Alice obeyed, and was in short time
fully dressed. Her uncle then command
ed her to follow him down stairs, which
she did, not however without fear ant
trembling Arrived in the hall below.
she found Vrooman and his two comrads,
and a tall, pale faced stranger, whom she
had not seen before, apparently awaiting
her arrival. Her uncle motioned her to
seat, and with malicious smile upon his
features, thus addressed her.
at is evident, Miss Alice that your
health is failing very fast, and as your
guardian, it is necessary for me to use all
possible means for its restoration. TIC
effect this object, | have determined to
place you under the care of my esteemed
friend, Doctor Morton, who will take you
to his residence, the bettcrto administer to
your complaint" Doctor" said he,
turning to the stranger, "permit me to
introduce you to my niece, Alice Van
Loan"
The Doctor turned to Alice, will, a
low bow, and said, 81 am happy to make
her acquaintance"
This Doctor Morton, as before stated,
was tall, pale faced man, of considera-
BILE talent butt utterly destitute ofprinci-
pie, and equally as avaricious as Van
Loan. He was the founder, manager,
and owner of an asylum, or hospital, for
the treatment of insane persons, which
was located about forty miles above New
York, upon the banks oflhe Hudson, and
he had acquired quite reputation in the
treatment of this unfortunate class ofper-
sons. Van Loan had by accident be-
came acquainted with his person and
character, and he determined to make
him an auxiliary in his plans in relation
to Alice. Frederick, at the time of his
late absence, had paid the worthy ply
sician a visit, and had engaged him to
make visit at the mansion, under the
plea that his father wished him to under
take the cure of an insane niece. AS
we have before stated, Van Loan dared
not murder the hel pess girl outright,
dreading the scrutiny of Mervale, or some
other of his wing neighbors He, or rath-
er his son, at his instigation, had attemp-
ted to drown her, Immediately after his
return from his visit to the doctor, think
ing thereby to save the expense of brib-
ing that worthy man, and beside, it
would be the most effectual mode of dis.
posing other person; but in this he failed
and as the doctor was punctual to the ap-
pointment made with his son. Van Loan
determined to make use of his assistance
in carrying out his plans.
For the sake of large reward, Nor
ton had agreed to carry Alice to the asy-
lum, assisted in her transportation by
Vrooman and his comrads, and there
keep her closely confined, free from the
observation of visitors, and unknown to
any one, for the term of her life, taking
care in the meantime, that she should re.
ceive every treatment that would tend to
shorten the period other existence. In
addition to the bonus paid in hand he was
to be allowed yearly salary during her
life, and was to receive one thousand dol
lars upon her demise.
Immediately after Morton was intro
duced to his patient, as he termed Alice
she was seized by her uncle, who threat
ened her with instant death in case she
made an cutlery, and then she was gag
ged, and her face securely muflled
though in such manner as to permit hel
TO breathe freely. Vrooman and hi'
comrads then took her in their arms tc
the bank of the river, followed by the
doctor, where large boat containing {
trunk and box of provisions, awaited
them. Alice was seated in the boat, ant
in short time after the boat moved of
down the river.
Alice we'll knew that it would be use
less to attempt struggle, or to raise al
alarm, and she resigned herself to he
melancholy situation, Bitter thought
filled her mind, as she glided down thu
river. What was to be her fate sh'
could not conjecture. She knew well e
nough that her uncle's tale, told her il
the hall, was falsehood, and that hi
anxiety for her health, meant in reality
his anxiety for her fortune. She gazed a
the physician, who was seated by her sid
and by close scrutiny of his features
endeayored to form conclusion as t
what his character could be. Was he
ruffian hired to transport her to som
copyen;nnt nlace and then despatch her