The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-11-26

INahS q SuOIl VuISA 10 y az AloidEc u"'i
He answered the summons, and figure
closely wrapped in black cloth cloak.
strobe into the room and without a word
sat down on the chair which Horace had
vacated - I.rf .-. g~..
A wild evening, friend" Horace
remarked, to break the awkward ST.
ltnce. ..A
every Are you engaged for this
evening Z" The strangers tones were
quick and imperative -..
" Engaged Z" Horace started at the
question, certainly not at this time of
night
care you in want of money!" The
unknown bent n glance Of piercing in
quiry upon Horace, from pair of black
flashing ewes, set far hack under cliff
lik brows.
Sir, | am not accustomed to answer
questions concerning my private affairs"
Horace drew himself up proudly, and
something ike trown passed over his
pale brow.
~ require job Of work done-donc
by a good. faithful hand-a discreet
workman, | mean, aud such is your
reputation among those who best know
you"
Horace bowed
"It is a small job, but I wish it fin
,isbed to-night--to-night ~ repeating the
words with startling emphasis, " and you
must do it -
Well, sir, work would be very &c
ceptable to me need the money bad
enough, but midnight is rather a sin u
lar time to call upon the services of
bricklayer."
" Grantcd--but I ask it. nevertheless
and still farther; you must be blind
folded, and conveyed to the place where
you are to labor, in a close carriage, and
return to your lodgings in tho same
way. Moreover, you must swear never
to reveal a single thing which may occur
to you this night, to any living crea-
ture -
Nhe unknown had risen to his feet,
and stood silently and ha9ghtily await
ing Horace's reply.
The young brcklayer seemed much
struck by the mysterious proposition of
his strange visitor. !
" Could / but know that there was
nothing criminal, nothing"
" 1t is enough that you have nothing
to do. but follow my directions All will
be well with you; and the pay shall be
yours in advance, if you require it." He
flung down purse, well filed with gold
upon the table. Horace's eyes glistened,
but be was silent. .. .
"There are one hundred dollars-thcy
Gre yours, if you consent"
Zone hundred dollars! impossible |!
/ cannot accept-it looks too much like
a bribe for committing some horrid crime
--some-o'
"Hush my friend, know your cir
cumstances, and your services Tonight
will fully compensate me for the trihing
sum. Do you CONSENT" "
Horace threw on his we'll worn over
coat, and taking with him some small
i'm Implements of his trade, he followed the
unknown to the waiting carriage. Once
within the vehicle, handkerchief was
bound tightly over his eyes, and the
night Of blindness settled over every OBJ
iect.
On, and on rolled the ph@ton, over
Boynton's Bridge, and past the canal
tollgatc, over til. brick pavemepts, out
upon the plank road, until at last tho
wheels revolvcd upon the hard gravel of.
a turnpike Byc-and bye, the way b..
came rough and stony, and Horace knew
hat they had left the city aud its envi-
rons far behind them Not a word had I
been exchange between the young me.
,hanic and the unknown aud the man
who held the reius aud guided the hors-
IS, as silent as the grave. ,..
AT length the carriage stopped, and
Horace was assisted to alight. He was
conducted up grassy path, and into
some sort Of bnllatng--he knew it by
the confined ar anu the houvy clang of
loors behind him. With the unknown
holding fast to his arm, he ascended two