Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-02-26
u arietp.
A Mysterious Chest.

The following queer and Iudicrous Incl
dent actually occurred at Bath, a celebrat-
ed English watering place, in June last, and
has Just been published in the London
Weekly Dispatch, 1t appears that Cap
tain Judson, an English naval office, in
poor health, was making preparations Tor
summer residence at Bath, having previous
ly engaged on short lease, that large man.
sion in Charlotte street, which belonged to
Major Webster He accordingly Dispatch
ed his butler to receive the furniture, and
have the house put in order The butler
engaged young woman, belonging to the
town. to clean out the rooms and arrange
a part of the furniture, and assisted her
himself to carry up large chest OF rather
singular appearance. This gigantic box
his master had purchased us a curiosity
but unlike that described in the song of
the MislIetoe. Bough," it did not shut but
opened with spring attached to the lock,
which being touched the lid flew open, and
the Fl tnre of tall, brawny HIghandman
in full costume, stood erect, and struck out
his right arm, in which was wooden
sword. The captain purchased it as
curious piece Of mechanism, and was wont
to amuse his children with it.
"Thats heavy chest" said the woman
as they placed it OH the floor.
Yes" answered the butler, who was
wag of the fisrt water, "there is something
heavy in it, certain, tut there's something
MYSTERIOUS about it, ALSO for although the
key hangs at TIE end Of it, not one of US is
allowed to touch it,
Did YOU never see the inside of it Z"
replied she, walking round it,
Never said me its as much as any
Of our places is worth even to speak about
it."
So saying the knight of the eork-screw
looked first at the woman, then at the chest,
then oil the floor, and then retired slowly
down the stairs, whistling, to work on the
ground fat. The girl proceeded to put The
things to rights in the room but every
time she passed the chest, she thought it
looked more odd. FraiIty, thy name is wo-
man She raped on the lid with her
knuckles it had a curious sound-very
And none of the servants dared to open it..
What on earth could it contain! Well, it
was none of her business so she went dill
igently to work for five minutes, at the end
Of that time she found herself standing,
with her arms akimbo, gazing at the chest
1t can do no harm to look into it, thought
she-so she quietly took the key from the
nail and applied it to the lock. OF course
she herd footsteps on the stair-as every
one will do when afraid of detection, in
commission of some act they wish TO keep
secret.
Again she regained confidence, and re-
turned to the chest stopped and turned the
key. Up flew the lid and the wooden
Highlandman, in kilt and philbeg, sprung
on his legs with more than human agility,
and fetched the petrifed girl sharp whack
across the shoulders with the fiat of his
wooden sword. A prolonged shrek, end
ing in a moan of despair indicated that the
poor woman had sought relief in swoon
The butler heard the shout, and was aware
at once Of the whole transaction; and hold
ing both his sides with laughter, he ascend
ed the stairs aud watched the issue of the
Plot through the key-hole of the door of an