Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-02-24

Dlack ana yawnlng gull, beneath, guarded
by the imaginary spikes of an invisible rail-
ing. Jack would have laughed at this diff
Guilty; but then he had more experience in
the craft than |, and was provided with all
necessary appliances.
As for me, had stupidity forgotten even
my coil Of rope The governors house
either had no balcony at all, or it was too
far of to be reached Presently heard a
iootstep on tue sidewalk, Inlle way off. 1t
was approaching with slow aud measured
pace; the person vas walking as calmly
aud grayely in the night as If it had been
broad day. Suppose |. hailed this philo-
sophical stranger, and conided to him. in a
friendly way, the fact. fntt the bafonet,
without the slightest provocaton, had lock-
ed me up in his house, with his silver
spoons in my pocket Perhaps he would
advise me what to do in the predicament.
Perhaps he would take the trouble of
knocking at the door, or cryng FIRE, and
when the servants entered might rush out,
aud SO make my escape. But while | was
looking wlstlully down 20 see if | could not
discern the walking figure, which was now
under the window, a sudden glare from the
spot dazzled my sight. 1t was the bulls
eye OF policeman and with the instinct
of predatory character, ! shrunk back
trembling, crepl into the room and shut
the window.
by this time was sensible that there was
a lltle confusion in my thoughts, aud by
way Of employing them on practical and
useful objects, ! determined to make tour
of the room. But first it was necessary to
get rid, somehow or other, of my plumber
to plant the property, as we call il; aud
with that view, LAID 1t carefully, piece by
piece, IN the corner OF sofa, aud conceal
ed it with the cover. This was great re-
lief almost began to feel ike The injured
pauy-more like captive than a robbcr /;
aud | groped my way through the room,
with sort OF vague idea that | might per-
hape stumble upon some trap door or slid
ing panel, which would lead to the open
arr or at worst, into secret chamber,
where | should be ale for any given num-
Der OF years from my prosecutors. But
there was nothing of the kind IN tins stern
prosaic place. nothing but a few cabinets
aud tables, aud couches, aud arm-chairs,
nh1 AbNnAA0I NudIs, duu hEfOhOtuA yuan
and ioolstools, aud lamps, aud stalue;is,
aud glass shades, and knlck-knacks and
Que elaborate glrandole hung round with
crystal pIIsms, which played such an inter-
mlnable tune against each other when |
CHANGED to move them that stumbled a.
way as las, as could aud subs ded into a
fdntemi so rich, 50 deep, that felt myself
swallowed up, as 1t were, ~ It's pillow OF
swans clown. 80
How long had been in the house by this
time, cannot tell Il seemed 10 me, when
| looked back, to form considerable por-
tiou of a lifetime Indeed, did not very
well remember the more distant events OF
the night; although every now and then
the fact occurred to NE with startling dis
tiuctness, that all had gone through was
only preliminary to something 10 happen I;
that the morning was to come, the family
TO be astir and the house breaker to be APP
pretended My reflections we're not con.
tinuous IL NAV be that dozed between
whlIes How else can | account for my
sister Laura standing over me where re-
clned pointing To the stolen plate on the
sofa, aud lecturIug me on nay horrible pro-
pensiiies ill she grew black in the face,
aud her voice rose TO a wild, unearlhly
scream which pierced through my brainl
When tins fancy occurred, staged from
my recumbent posture. A voice was aciu-
ally in my ears, aud living form before
nv eyes a lady stood contemplating me,
with a hali-scream on her lips, and the color
fading from her cheek aud as moved she
would have fallen to the ground, had not
sprung up aud caught her in my arms. !
laid her softly down on The fauteHiL 1t
was the morning twilight. The silence was
profound The boundaries of the room
we're still dim aud indisunct. Is IT any
wonder that was IN some considerable de-
gree of perpleXty as to whether | was not
still in the land OF dreams!
" Madam" said |, "ifyoa are avision it
is of no Consequence; if not, ! want par
ticulary To gel out"
4" Offer me no injury" she replied in a
tremuous voice, and no one Will modest
YOU. Take what you have cone for aud
bcgoue"
"That is sooner said than done. I ne
doors and windows below are locked and
bolted aud beneath those of tbs room the
area is deep and the spikes sharp. assure
you, | have been in very considerable OF
perpleNiiy the whole of lssi night" aud,
drawing a chair, sat down IN f. ont of her.
Whether it was owing TO this action, OF
TO my complaining voice, or to the mere
feet of her fading herself in quiet tete-a.
lete with housebreaker, cannot tell, but
the lady broke into low hyslerlcal laugh
How did YOU break in p SAID she.
" i did not break in; it is far from my
character, | assure you But the area win
dow was open aud so | just thought
would come in"
You were attracted by the plate Take
it for heavens sake, desperate man, and 60
awayw
81 did take some of it, but with no evil
Internationally by way of amusement Here
it is" aud going to the sofa, drew of the
cover, aud showed her the plate
You have been generous said she
her voice getting quayerous again, " for the
whole must have been IN your power.
will let you out so softly that no one will
know. Put up in your pockets what you
have risked SO much to possess, aud follow
/ me-"
II will follow you with pleasure" said
/ |, "were il all the world over :" for the in