Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-03
THE FIRST OFTHE MOUNT VERNON
PAPERS.

W III proDaDly run good deal alter this
manner, at first, till Mr.. Everett gets his hand
in--so says the Boston Post.
1t was dreary night in July, 1860. To
a day of unusual heat had succeeded an eve
ming of silent but deadly cold, on which the
slightest yielding to the slumberous torpor,
breathing abroad, was fatal The amber
moon rose noiselessly and punctually in the
right quarter, and its reflected silver danced
in the magnificent panes of glass of the lord
ly mansions of Park street. At the bay win
dow of No.-shone single taper. A lovely
girl, on whose auburn locks some sixteen
springs had breathed the last winds breath
sat or rather reclned in patent chair of ex-
quisitc device covered with yellow brocatelle
reading listlessly the Rhine Of Miles Standish
Her interest was profound She had just turn
ed two pages at once, when low whistle
startled her attentive and beautifullymodeled
ear. Her name, ANACONDA" was audible
on the wind. She threw up the easement
and stood upon the balcony. Black in relief
agnst the snow, dazzling in the moonlight.
rose cloaked figure, while the prelude of a
barcarolc tinkled from guitar. cts he! lis
my own BIRMINGHAM she cried, slipping on
pink velvet mantle and blue crepe with
marabout feathers. At that instant, a figure
moved rapidly from behind the huge trunk
of "A massive oak, unseen of BIRMINGHAM!' A
sudden ring out Of wild bells into the wild
night, the signal of con1agration, drowned
the mclodious tinkle Of his guitar A sharp
cry, scream, and the rapid retreat of nailed
heels We're all heard at once. The guardian
Of the night heard them, and (his name was
Swallow approached the scene. Two figures
were PROSTATE. half buried by the drifting
snow. BIRMINGHAM in his inky cloak of cot
,nl,,ot IN, ba, ) e
satin sheen. One was knocked over, the 9TH
or fell over. The flow of blood was but lin
tied, and confined to the antique cut nose of
BIRMINGHAM, whose returning consciousness
betrayed itself by little improvisation npon
his guitar. The lovely ANACONDA groaned
and the mingled glare of the moon, and of
the large fire in the vicinity betrayed the ash
en paleness of her cheek. BIRMINGHAM threw
in the arpeggio of the trio in Lucia. The
Waterman, too, was musical, "a h'io some
pHtore,' he cried; and and the concerted har-
mony of that unequaled trio went up upon
the night from the little group, till the pill
low of every listener was drenched in the hap
Ply tears of a delicious melancholy Finally the
noise woke up her stern old father. He strok-
ed his silver beard, as he girded on long
knife, kept for contingencies, he said /,
and surely, if ever here was one. Slowly he
descended, and let himself out by postern
gate, The last strophe was being repeated
by the enamored singers, as the aged Bank
president emerged into the moonlight. Ger
berus would have melted. Not he. "You,
he cried, "You, Anaconda, here and thus"
Go be continued in our next.)
Received Two Hundred Dollars.
From the st. Adams Messenger.
DEATH OF Hon. JOHN SMITH.-At an early
hour on Saturday morning last, the report of
the sudden death of Hon. John Smith, fell
upon the ears of our citizens like thunder
clap from clear sky.-ile had been in usual
health except a slight indisposition from a
cold, and rose early in the morning, express
ing himself as having rested remarkably well
during the night, and had dressed himself
preparatory to leaving town on business by
| the morning train of cars, lie called for "A
| glass of Congress Water, and instantly upon
drinking it, with single groan, fell from
| his chair a corpse. Physicians were speedily
| ia attendance, bat his breath had gone out tn
turn no NOR His death, So sudden and
II respected, produced II most profound, ,scnsa-
| ton throughout our community and awak
'"ud II sympathy rarely witnessed. Mr.,
| = Nth has long occupied prominent posi-
| II iu ia -nrirty. and his name has become
id'ntil with the public improvements which
ave exert Il such marked influence upon
/ ibis srrti ~ 1T Vermont, His death must he
= gard Il ~ rmiueudy public cdlanity. aud
/ d'opy e. bee dcldored. We shall cndeayor
. ~ rr'rur' a biographical sketch of Mr.
~uiih for oar columns at slmr future time