The literary echo. (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1851, 1851-04-03

they are quiet enough, and l never heard
any thing against them beyond this. Of
late, their very existance seems to have
been forgotten; and | believe, sir, that you
are the first who, for years, has turned his
steps to the deserted spot"
These details, far from satisfying my
curiosity, did but provoke it the more.
Breakfast was served, but | could not
touch it; and / felt that if presented my
self to the merchants in such state of ex-
citement, they would think me mad; and,
indeed, [ felt very much excited. ] paced
up and down the room, looked out at the
window, trying to fix my attention on some
external object, but in vain. Iendeavored
to interest myself in quarrel between two
men in the street; but the garden and the
cottage preoccupied my mind and, at last,
snatching my hat, l cried; 'I will 90,
come what may"
repaired to the nearest magistrate, told
him the object of my visit, and related
the whole circumstance briefly and clearly.
| saw directly that he was much impressed
by my statement.
"It is, indeed, very strange" said he,
"and after what has happened, l do not
think I am at liberty to leave the matter
without further Inquiry. Important bust
ness will prevent ny accompanying you in
search, but [ will place two of the police
at your command. GO once more to the
hovel, see its inhabitants, and search ev-
cry part of it. You may, perhaps, make
some important discovery"
[ suffered but a very few moments to
elapse before was on my way, accompa-
MED by the two officers, and we soon reach
ed the cottage. We knocked, and after
waiting for some time, an old man opened
the door. He received US somewhat un-
civilly, but showed no mark of suspicion,
nor, indeed, of any other emotion, when
we told him we wished to search the house.
every well, gentlemen as fast, and as
soon as you please" he replied.
"Have you well here - | enquired.
"No, sir'; we are obliged to go for wa
ter to a spring at considerable distance"
We searched the house, which | did, |
confess, with kind Of feveriA excitement,
every moment to bring some IA
tai secret to light Meantime, the old
man gazed upon us with an impenetrable
vacancy of look, and we at last left the
cottage without seeing anything that could
confirm my suspicious. resolved to in
spect the garden once more and num-
Der of idlers having been by this time col
lected, drawn to the spot by the sight of
a stranger with two armed men engaged
in searching the premises, I made enqui-
ries of some of them whether they knew
any thing about well in that place. I
could get no information at first, but at
length an old woman came slowly forward,
leaning on crutch.
GA well" cried she f; els it the well
you are looking after? That has been
gone these thirty years. I remember, as
if it were only yesterday, many time,
when was a young girl, how used to 8
throw stones into it, and hearing the splash &
they used to make in the water. i
"And could you tell where that well l
used to be :" I asked, almost breathless d
with excitement. l
GAS near as I can remember, on the
very spot on which your honor is now Z
said the ola woman. in
"I could have sworn it! ;hought l, n
bringing from the place as if had trod r
lpon scorpion. 1t