The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-07-16
From the New York Spirit OF the Times.
THE MYSTERIOUS L0DGER!
by TIMOTHY BAGGs.

OF The landlady, by a young gentleman
who gave his name as Barnaba Stoller.
He was abou, twenty five years Of age
dressed in rusty suit of black, and tn
unfortunate possessor Of counienaBc,
tina: would have secured his success as III,
poor apothecary in "Romeo and Juliet.
lie seldom had any communication will
the other 5oarders, and there was Ger
tain air Of mystery abou, him, that puzzled
every body in the house--no one coult
tell the nature of his business nor give in
formation of the slightest circumstance
touching his general course Of life. Nc
one ever inquired for him at the house
excepting at meals, at which he was pune
tual and which he devoured voraciously,
he remained while within the walls, se-
cluded in his apartment-the partitioned
portion of the garnet above mentioned.
The landIady, who certainly possessed
as much curiosity as any member Of the
fair sex with whom il has ever been my
good fortune to have any dealings, had
sounded every body liz order to gain some
clue to the mystery which enveloped Mr.
Stoller, but without satisfaction. She had
even propounded many circuitous inquiries
to the gentleman himself, but received on
ly vague replies which but increased her
excitement. He regularly paid his board
every Saturday night, and always in coin
of the smallest description, which he drew
from we'll worn leather purse.
He had resided in the house but sim
gle month. when the Iandlady discovered
The following astounding and iucompre-
hensibIe fact:
Every Saturday afternoon about The hour
of four, Mr. Blrnabas Stoller entered the
house and proceeded directly to his apart>
ment, and having audbly turned The key
in .he lock, would remain secluded for
full three hours This proceeding oc>
Cured regularly every Saturday, and by
diverse means did Mrs Jones, the landlady,
endeavor 10 solve the mystery Of this tenn
porary retirement. Oace or twice she
had been detected by one of the dodgers,
peering through Mr. StoIler's key hole,
but it being Distracted on the inner side
by The key, it was somewhat Difficult: TO
obtain an accurate view Of the premises.
Nevertheless, by dint of waiting with her
ear 10 the door for many minutes the wor-
thy dame had overheard strange indefinite
sounds rising from within, which allho'
they convinced her that something was
progressing. cast hui little light upon the
subject of her nvestigations.
"Belty," she remarked TO her maid Of
all work one day after one Of those visits
to the entry above. "what can he be dong
every Saturday a. this particular time /"
"lm sure | can't imagine ma'am," re>
piled the girl thus adjured, "unless he's
u coun,erfeiter."
IA eounterfeiter," exclaimed Mrs Jones
Every likely, Betty, and most probably
counlerfeiter Of half dollars, for he pays
me every Saturday in small change for
which be mus, have unchanged his spu.
rious money-but then, Betty" addeda
the laadlady, ''he conld hardly make
living a, counterfei,ing il he works a. i,
only three hours in the week."
ono a'am, that's true" answered Bet
~, "but still am satisfied he mus! be do
ing something horrible though"
The landlaIy cogitated sometime deep
ly, and then shaking her head slowly from
side to side. spoke again:
"WelI, Betty, he may be a conspirator
he may have some horrible plot in his
head, and really don't feel safe in the
house with him, unless l can discover
what he does so slyly every Saturday,
so to night l'll ask him boldly at supper,
in what way he employs himself regular.
" once week in his room.'
This resolution was warmly applauded
by Betty, who being the only female in
the house excepting her mistress, was Of
course her principal supporter and advis"
er. They both finally concluded that Mrs
Zones plan was good one and the CON-
ference ended.
At the first sound OF the bell the inmates
Of the house focked TO supper, and among
the foremost was the unconscious Stoller
dressed in his only suit Of black. He seat
ed himself and commenced with his usual
voracity upon the provisions before him
the boarders were all seated and we'll en-
gaged-Betty was standing behind her
mistress chair. with a face upon which
anxiety and curiosity were deeply blend.
cd no sound was heard save the clater-
ing of knives and forks with now and then
the rattle of teaspoon in the cup. The
landlady feeling that this was her time,
made strong effort, and exclaimed
"Mr Stollcr p
Now the nero mention of Mr. Stoller's
name by Mrs Jones at the teatable, could
not certainly attract extraordinary alten>
rion, but the manner and tone Of the lady
started many ofthe boorders sitting around
many dropped their knives and forks, and
cas-, their eyes rapidly from Mrs Jones to
Mr. Slollcr; the latter gentleman suspend
ed his attacks on the supper and gazed
with m agtated countenance at the head
parsonage of the house.
"Mr Stoller r. said Mrs Jones, speak>