Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-07-30
IRASBURGH, VERMONT, FRIDAY. JULY 30, 1855

to admit the passage Of my body. At
first, all / cared for was % hasten on and I
on, away, and still farther away from the |
blood-thirsty assassins. Once or twice
the main channel, or what appeared to
be such, had branched off into other
channels as large or nearly so. This
gave me some comfort as in the case Of
pursuit my pursuers might select the
wrong track, and thus miss me. had
hurried onward for some hours, and left
the murderous den some miles behind
before my limbs began to fail me, and /
found myself compelled 10 stop to recruit
my strength by rest. I sat down by
side drain whence a few rays of light
shone in, and resting my head upon my
knees, allowed the current to flow under
my legs. could hear above NY head
the noise of the traffic that rolled along
the streets, the rattle of wheels, and the
pat, pat of innumerable feet-anl the
tears now for the first time started il my
eyes, as I wondered whether | should
ever again be restored to the busy world
above. This melancholy temper of mind
was, however, put to fight by the teeth
of a huge rat, which had fastened on
my ankle with the grip of a vice. had
to crush the fellow with my weapon be-
fore he would let 60, ana the next min
ute had TO do battle with hundreds more,
which swarmed upon me from all quar-
tiers, dashing at my face and hands, and
falling on my neck from the roof, which
was too low TO permit me to stand up
right. l must have Smashed a least
fifty of them before the troop withdrew
: from me to regale themselves on theil
dead companions, and allowed me to pur
sue my way.
This assault deferred me from pro
? ceeding any farther in the same direc
S ton, and resolved to retrace my step
and try another turning which l haC
! marked about an hour ago. One hop,
t had haunted me all along, stree l ha,
, shaken off the fear of being murdersl
4 l had seen the day before in that neighbor
i hood part of the street ripped up 70
- sirv = 0le'i1 " 80 -'''..z~aruar- IF 7 cossb
5 think Of no other chance, and natural,
: clung to that with the tenacity of de
IS spair. With an eye to the rats, in m
d progress regained the place 1 sought
Il and CROPPED along as fast as | could
e From the increased noise overhead, an
a the almost utter absence of light, OWN
v to the length of the side drains l gather
e ed that I was traversing one of the gran
le thoroughfares of the city. Sewers
ID times | halted and shouted at the top {
ID my voice at the embouchure of the tr
ol butary drains; but no reply ever reacl
n ed my ears, and desisted at length
W utter hopelessness of making myse
le heard. I knew by this time, from Il
If hours I had been under ground, that Il
as evening must be drawing in, and loo.
III ed for nothing less than passing the nigf
v which I was convinced, would be Il
Il last of my existence, in this living tom
I knew that as soon as I succumbed
bo fatigue, I should be devoured by the raj
,g and already I felt exhausted in eve
I faculty of my body.
/ Conceive my JOY, if you can, when,'
he a chance look backward in the directi,
of I had come, perceived at no great d
ne tance, and framed in the black circle
lat surrounding darkness the figure Of M
nd carrying an old horn lantern swung fro
Ter his neck, with a basket at his back
nd bag at his girdle, a cage full of live r;
es- in one hand, and staff in the other.
Sc. was attended by a savage looking b
y's terrier, which came securing toward l
The open mouthed, and seemed. inclined
t I resent my trespass on his warden. M
TIL er, perhaps, did mortal man rejoice me
hat devoutly than l did at the presence
ow this strange and unlocked for appariti
in The man, bare TO the hips, was a nj
the of filth and rags yesterday l would !
slv have spoken to him on any considerat
vav to be mentioned but now, could ha
the pressed him to my heart, and kissed
ned tattered hem of his garments.
cad not sure 1 did not do something as fool
ing the moment my trembling limbs had c
are ried me to his side.
- The honest fellow did not reciproe
and my earnestness. Holding me off at az
t of length he held up bis lantern for g,
liar view, and deliberately surveyed me Fl
re- head to foot.
one 'Blest if7t ant a reg'lar swell ? he q
ulated at length. why, what the do
pro- makes the likes Of you down in The shc
less an where's yer dog, man alive &C
q, L.. :