The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-07-16

you eau, what business detains you ir
your room every Saturday between the
hours of four and seven 10 the afternoon.
All gazed at Mr. S,oller, anxious 10 have
the important question settled; his agita'
ton had been increasing to fearful extern
during Mrs jones' remarks, and upon hear
ing her inquiry he stared 10 his feet his
lace was deeply crimsoned aud he strove
for some minutes in vain TO speak.
"Ma'am," cried he at last--"You J.
You II cannot --nowl"- he stopped
suddeniy-.-kicked over his chair and dash
ed out of the room.
No pen can describe the establishment
Of the spectators at this unprecedented ex-
it; Mrs Jones started to her feet, and when
she at length found her voice, addressed
the company:
"Now, gentlemen" said she, "I am
satisfied that Mr. SloIer must be en-
gagged in some horrible plot in his room
regularly every Saturday--some counter
feiting scrape or forgery-at any rate some
matter which will most likely destroy the
credit of my house. I'm sure you must
all agree with me when | say, that this
horrible secret must be drawn from him
by some means or other. | know from
the fright which seized him when | asked
him the question that there is something
going wrong"
Here Mrs Jones hesitated, waiting to
be- assisted from her difficulty by some Of
the boarders present.
"Suppose," said one, shat the next time
he shuts himself up in his room, we all
go in body and break open the door,"
This brave proposition was Immediate
Iy put down as being entirely too billiger-
emf in its general features.
Couldn't some one slide down the roof
of the house and peep in the window ?"
asked another doub'fully.
"That might do" said Mrs Jones, look.
ing round upon the company in hopes to
discover some ore who would undertake
the task, but no one moved, for the roof
being slate one and very steep, was con.
sequently TOO hazardous to be trusted as a
foothod.
Il think" said one young gentleman at
the head of the table, fIf we should al! gel
together next Saturday afternoon and cry
fire. in the entries, I'VE might bring him
out and then discover his employment"
"Ah p exclaimed Mrs Jones, "thal's
good plan, but it would be liable to raise
the nei ghborhood-but think we'll close
all The doors and windows and try it-at
any rate il can't do much HARM"
In fine The last was considered by the
company to be a most excellent plan for
the detection Of Mr. Stoller 10 his dreadful
plots, and the requisite arrangements were
made on the spot.
Nothing was said 10 Mr. Stoller during
the week, and when Saturday afternoon
at last arrived the greater part The board
ers were in. their rooms. waiting for his
arrival. AT the usual hour of four the
suspected lodger entered the house, and
proceeded as was his custom, mmediately
10 his room. His door had been locked
about half an hour when a large party of
the boarders, headed by Mrs Jones, was
steallhily formed in the lower hall, md
different detachments were then filed off 10
separate portions of the house, and two
gentlemen more courageous than The rest
stationed themselves close 10 Mr. Stollers's
room, ready 10 glide in and examine the
apartments as soon as he should open the
door.
All these prelminarics being arran ged
Mrs Jones and her servant Betty raised
heart rending shrek 10 the kitchen, and
then dashed up 10 the entry. The par
ty in the lower hall slammed the doors and |
at the top of their voice screamed 'Fire =
The united efforts were completely sue
cessful, for suddenly MIR Stoller's door o.
pened and out rushed the gentleman himr
self. His coat was buuoned up about his |
neck, and his sleeves turned up, leaving |
the lover portion Of his arms bare, in his
hands he held a white article dripping
with water.
"Wba. is the matter. Mrs Jones? ?" cried |
he, looking with astonishmen; upon the
crowd that had collected about his door.
No answer was returned, and the two
courageous gentlemen, who had insinuat>
ed themselves into his room sneaked out
again.
No cry Of "fire" was now heard, and |
a dim light broke over MIR Stoller's mind |
he saw the trick.
"Ab, gentlemen" said he slowly, Ell
see now how it is; will few OF you gen.
llemen have the kindress to step into the
room with Mrs Jones and all the mystery
shall be explained"
They crowded in, the landlady taking
the lead, and his room was completely
filled.
Now, gentlemen" said he slowly,
"you have all taken such an interest in
my affairs that it is but just that you should
all be INDUCED with the knowledge Of the
strange secret which has so much harras-
sed your minds. You see, gentlemen,
that washbasln, and in the chimney cor
ner you will perhaps observe few burn.
IN asna hnra md In ka do .....