The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-03
Iear o. the pistol. But said my prayers 70 mysel

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turp' when thew turned NJ round and led US back
| outen the wood, and then round and round, and up
| and down. and cross ways and length ways, ~ ef
they didn't want me 10 find where they were taking
well, sir, when they'd walked about in this
fused way leadin' Of the mule about mile, knew
| we wss in the woods agsin-the very same woods
| and the very same path knowed ny inc ieeI OF
the place and the sound of the bushes as we hit mp
against them each side and also by the rumbilng OF
the Spout as it tumbled along toward the Punch
| Bowl We went down, and down and down, ana
lower and lower and lower, until we got rgh' GOWN
| in the bottom of that hollow.
"Then we stopped. A gate was opened. put
IN my hand to raise the handkerchief and see where
| was: but Just at that minute felt the mizzle o.
sDG IKE ise within 1E OF Srowng s into
"B m you d aS dropped my hand down as i'll
had been shot and aiore had seen anything either.
So we went through the gate and up gfayelly
| waik-I knew it by the cracking Of the gravel I'M
der Molly's feet-and stopped at horse block,
where one o. them williams lifted me Off put up
| my hand again. 49,, -,
| ''Do il you dare, says tother one, with the
mzzle o. The pistol at my head,
~ dropped my hand like lead. So they lead me
| on a little way, and then up some steps counted
them to myself as, ! went along. They were six
| You see, master, l took all this pains to know the
| house again. Then they opened door that
| opened in the middle. Then they went along
| q passage and up more stairs-there was ten
| and turn, ana then Ten more lheh aiohg an
other passage and up another fight of stairs, just
| Ike the first Then along another passage and up
third fight of stairs. They was alike.
| "Well, sir, here we was Mt the top o. the house.
| One o. them Williams opened door on the left side,
| and tother said
".There-go in and do you dutyr and pushed
me through the door, and shut and locked it on me.
| Good gracious, sir how scared was! | slipped of
the silk handkerchief and feared rs was, didn't
| forget to put it in my bosom.
| "Then looked about me. Right afore me on
| the hearth was little weeny taper burning that
| showed was in a great big garnet with slopng
| walls At one end two deep dormer windows, and
| black walnut bureau standing between them Al
| totlef end great tester bedstead with dark cur
| tans. There was dark carpet on the floor. And
| with all there were so many dark objects and so
many shadows, and the little taper burned so dmly
that could hardly tell tother from which, or keep
from breaking my nose against things as CROPPED
about.
"And what was in this room for to do?
couldn't even form idee. But presently my
blood cold to hear eroan from behind the cur
taus-then another-and another-then cry az
OF Il child in mortal agony, saying
"'For the love Of Heaven, save me!
~ ran to the bed and dropped the curtains, and
| liked to have tainted at what saw"
"And what did you see!' asked the magistrate.
"Mas er, behind those dark curtains | saw a
young creature tossing about ON the bed, fiingne
her fair and beautiful arms about and tearing wild
ly at the fine lace that trimmed her nightdress.
But, master, that wasn't what almost made me
fant-t was that her right hand was sewed up in
black Grape, and her whole face and head com
petlv covered with black Grape drawn down ana
fastened securely around her throat leaving
only small slit at the lips and nose to breathe
thr0ughW
"Wbat, take care woman! remember that you
are upon your oath!i' said the magistrate
II know it, masterl And as l hope to be for
given am telling yon the truth!'
go on, them"
"Well, sir, she was young creature, scarcely
past childhood, if one might judge by her small size
and soft, rosy skim asked her to let me take that
black Grape from her face and head, but she threw
up her hands and exclaimed
oh, no, no, no! for my life, no"
"Well, master, | hardly know how to tell you
what followed" said the old woman, hesitatng in
embarrassment
AGO right straight on like car of Juggernaut,
woman! Remember-the whole truth"
"Well, master, in the next two hours there were
twins born in that room-a boy and GIRL the boy
dead, the girl living And all the time heard
and down she passage outside of that room. Pre-.
seDty the steps stopped, and there was rap at
the door. l went and listened, but did not open
it,
"'Ts it all overg the voice asked.
Before l could answer, cry from the bed
caused me to look round. There was the poor
masked mother stretching out her white arms to-
ward me in the most imploring way. | FASTENED
back to her.
TELL him--no-no, she said.
"'Have you got through! asked the man at the
door, rapping impatiently
Ono, no. said l. as directed
"He resumed his tramping up and down, and
Went back to my patient. She beckoned me to
come close, and whispered
Save my child! the living one mean! hide
her! oh hide her from him! When he demands the
hurt that! And he will not know there was an
other Oh! hide and save my child.
Master, was used to queer doings, but this was
little the queerest. But if was TO conceal that
r. N orfle IN was tn
stop its mouth, for it squalling like wild cat.
So took vial of paragoric from my pocket and
give it drop, and it went off to sleep like an
angel. wrapped it up warm and lay it along with
my shawl and bonnet in dark corner. Just then
the man wrapped again.
"'Come in, MASTER said !.
"'No, bring me the babe he said.
81 took up the dead infant Its mother kissed its
brow and dropped tears upon its little cold face;
and carried it to the man outside
"Is it asleepp the william asked me.
eyes, MASTER said /, as put it, well wrapped
up in his arms, very sound asleep
$50 much the better said the knave, walking
away.
"Iboted the door and went back to my patient
With her free hand she seized mine and pressed II
to her lips and then held up her left hand pointed
to the wedding ring upon her third finger.
"Draw it of and keep it, she said; conceal the
child under your shawl and take her with yon
when you go; save her and your fortune shall be
made
al declare, master, hadn't time to think before
heard one of them wretches rap at the door,
"'Come! get ready to 60, he said.
"She also beckoned me. ] fastened to her
With eager whispers and imploring gestures she
prayed Inc to take her ring and save her child
90 But you said l. who is to attend to your
al do not know nor care! Save her!
"The rapping continued. ran to the corner
where had left my things. put on my bonnet,
made sort of sling around my neck Of the silk
Handkerchief, opened the large part of ii like a
hammock and laid the little sleeping babe there.
Then ] folded my big shawl around my breast and
nobody any the wiser The rapping was very i'm
patient
"' am coming, said l.
:" Remember whispered the poor girl.
az will, said I, and went and opened the door.
There stood tother william with his head covered
with black Grape. I dreamt of nothing but black
headed demons for six months afterwards
"'Are you readyF says he.
% Yes, your worship says /.
" Come along, them
"And binding another silk handkerchief round
my eyes he lead me along.