Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-06-26
Alisfeilonp.
Fallen Among Thieves.

a1Aen among LnleVeS.
The dearest friend ever had, in all my cxpe
rionce of eighty years of life, was Harriet De-
lancy. We were companions in childhood.--
My parents were, indeed the principal people
of Rathkclspie, and inhabited q mansion in the
markct-place, then the most fashionable part of
the town, while Harriet's father and mother
rented a large broken-down, halffurnished
house on the quay-side. We were rich, and
they were poor: but this had no effect upon
our intercourse, except that Harriet was oftcner
in our house than in hers. Mrs. Delaney, a
mere good-aturcd, bustling, manmuvering wo-
man, did Lot attract me as my mother did her
daughter For you must know that my dear
mother was looked upon in those days as the
Earthly Providence of Rathkelspie AT all
times and at all hours her house and heart
were open. Every one who was in difficulty or
distress came to ask counsel or assistance from
her, and, indeed her generosity was almost
blameablc. Among those persons who took un-
due advantage of it, my brother and were &C
customed to class Mrs Delaney much, howev-
er, as we We're accustomed to that lady's obtru-
sve ways, and constantly as our houso-door was
open, it startled us very much one bosterous
spring evening, when, at eleven o'clock, the
door bell rang loudly, and we heard Mrs. De-
lancy voice asking for Mrs. Hamilton.
She entered breathless from her struggles with
the equinoctal gale, which was even new driv-
ing tho hail furiously against the window; but
it was not till my mother had forced her into
the most comfortable chair near the fire that
she could answer the repeated question of 9 what
can have happened to bring you ont on such
nisht!'
"a wild night indeed !" she gaspcd " but
could not rest till had told dear Mrs. Htmil
ton all about it. There is nothing wrong,
assure you-lIarrict is quito well, Miss Mary.
Nothing is wrong quito the reverse. That is,
| hope so ; but really, am so nervous when
think of it that scarce know what am doing
or saying and besides have come with such a
strange petition to Miss Mary that am quite
ashamed Harriet would never forgive me if
she knew; but Miss Mary is so fond of dear
Harry that thought might venture. So as
soon as got hor sent off to bed, l just said to
Mr., Delaney, 'Pll slip on my cloak and hood ,
and see what dear Mrs. Hamilton thinks and
he said, best wait till morning, Sally but l
wouldn't; for I thought sufficient for the morn
ing would be the labor thereof, especially if the
Vixen sail by the evenings tide, as Captain
Culver says she must.''
f" The Vixen! Captain Culver. What are
you talking of, Mrs. Delancy!"
And in the lady's own good time we learnt
that one of the sailors of the revenue cutter
Vixen, just in port, after an unsuccessful chase
of q smuggling craft off the coast of ireland
had brought up to Mr.. Dolancy's house a crum
pied scrawl containing strange intelligence. l
was to the purport that cousin of his, q Ger
tain Lady Stewart, had married rich Irisl
land holder in one of the north eastern coun
ties, and become a widow, was shut up in al
old castle by her servants and, if not relieved
within certain time, the writer limited that h,
could not answer for the consequences. Mr.
Delaney, his wife said, was greatly moved II
find that his cousin-an an old sweetheart-whom
for many years he had supposed to be so appet
in luxury as to have forgotten her less fortu
nate relations, should be in such perilous case
"And so," she went on to say, nothing vii
satisfy him but that he must start at once tt
help his cousin Bess out of her scrape. And
as for Harriet, she says she will 60 with him
to which, says Captain Culver, why not! TT
Vixen, he says, is bound for Strangford Ba,
will start to morrow night, and nothing, he d
clares, would please him better than to land Il
all safely at Caerinnys, which it seems is som(
where thereabouts Now. you know, ma an
if we could rescue the old lady, Harriet Nigh
be the better of it some day that is, supposin
the wretches have not robbed her of her money
for of course she could not do less than he
t''ose who helped her; US, for instance. So
h've not SGT my face against the plan f
tApugh | hate the sea, and am terrified out
my life at the idea of coming near these sava,
Irish, STILL you know, ma'am, as Captain Gu
yer is bachelor, and all that sort of thing,
am not satisfied that could let Harriet go, u
less went myself. But, by the-by, what
the world shall do for decent cloak a.
gown for Harriet -
The object Of the visit thus came out at la
and it was speedily attained. l said hasti
that, on that point, there could be no difficult
as Harriet and were much Of a size and hu
rying our visitor away to my room forced
her acceptance all that knew or guessed wor
render my friends outfit complete Amo
other things so given, there is reason why
should specify a neat little green mantle viii
had just purchased.
Early next morning Harriet was with Il
thanking and reproachng me for all that h
done, yet tearfully confessng that had rel
ed her of great trouble, by enabling her to
pear at Cacrnnys as became her fathers daus
ter, " You have too often accused me of bel
too proud in these matters" she said " an
am humble now, through pride becau sc
should not like to have il said or thought ii
we went to Lady Stewart's help from mcrcen,
motives" The blush upon her cheek, us
said this, showed that her mothers speculate
on this head had wounded her high spirit to
quick.
AT nine o'clock in the evening, the me
nearly at full, VIC were bidding farewell to
friends by the quay side. My brother, lau
ingly, suggested terrors to our Harriet, W
fully expecting Lady Stewards rebels to sub
at tho first summons, was not to be daunted
"If harm threaten us" she added with IN