Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-12-15

supposed midnight prowler, and also more
rapid transfer of the contents of the pistol to
me than would be either agreeable or whole
some, before ! could offer any reasonable ex-
PLANTATION for my presence behind the door at
such an unreasonable hour.
Ailer a while, however, renewal Of the
snoring, which was occasionally echoed by the
occupant Of the adjoining room, assured me Of
the absence Of belligerent intentions and the
buzzng Of the flies before mentioned, with the
ticking Of clock in the office, were the only
additional sounds that broke upon the silence
Abou, two o'clock, a slight accident oc-
CURED to me, which however, did no harm -
In reaching for pitcher of water that stood
on the table near by, knocked OF a book, f,
which must have beeh poised on the corner OF
the table. Immediately initiated, by scratch
ing, the gnawing Of a rat in the wall, so that
if the falling of the book had aroused the sleep
er, he would have attributed both noises to the
imaginery animal
Bu, few sounds outside the building were
heard, save the occasional drunken shout Of
some vo,ary Of Bacchus, reeling home TO dis
grace his family with his presence and the
measured strokes of the city clocks, as they
told off the long, long hours.
But the most ludicrous circumstance hap
pened just about daylight--ihat is daylight out
side, for within the office it was still dark, as
all the blinds were closed was startled by a
sudden rap on the door Of the post master e
room which opened into the main hall, soon
followed by another even more energetic. The
clerk in the bedroom jumped from his bed and
passed by me 10 open tho door. Fearing that
| should be discovered, darted into the bed
room without his knowledge and before he had
returned. The truth is, he was not more than
half awake, and had forgotten me eniifely.-
lie had admitted aeolored man to get the boots
which required his polishing touch, and then
returned 10 bed again.
This gentleman Of color, who by the way
proved to be trusty porter employed in seve-
raj of the Offices in the building, proceeded
frs, to the side of the cot 10 get the boots there
and then made for the bedroom, into which
had reireaied In feeling about the floor TO
find the remaining "l.aihern conveniences," 4" he
seized one Of mine "Iye get my foot in it
now" thought but by a gentle and dexiet-
ous UCNtuth huCCtcuCu III
exposed covering from his partial grasp, to pre-
ven, bis discovering the existence ofa leg with
in. Whether il was frigh, at the touch of the
ieuanted boot, or something else, that made him
leave the premises so suddenly, have never
been fnlly satisfied. | went out myself soon
after leaving both clerks fast asleep
What occurred on that night beyond which
have already described or how the inyes,iga-
tion terminated, am confident the reader will
not insist upon knowing, when | assure him
that there are special reasons, affecting public
as well as private interest, why should make
no further disclosures.
Though this was not the last night which
have spent in post Offices for similar purpose,
yet have never repeated the experiment under
circumstances requiring quite so severe re.
straints, and such abridgment Of personal liber-
ty.