The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-02-16


a mile, knew we was in the woods again
the very same woods and the very same
path knowed by the feel of the place
and the sound of the bushes, as we bit up
against them each side, and also by the
rumbling of the Spout as it tumbled along
toward the Punch Bowl We went down
and down, and down, and lower, and lower
aud lower, until we got right down in the
bottom of that hollow.
"Thcn we stopped. \ gate was opened.
put up my hand to raise the handker.
chief, AMI see where | was but, lust at
that minute, felt the miz2le o. the pistol
like a ring of ice right agin my right tenn
pie, and tho villain growing into my ear:
eff you do
& But | ddn tt dropped my head
down as if / had been shot, and afore |
had seen anything either So we went
through the gate, and up gravelly walk
I knew it by the cracking of the gravel
under Nolly's feet - and stopped at horse
block, where one O. them villains lifted
me off. put up my hand again
60 Do, if you dare. says t'other one,
with the mizzle o. the pistol at my head.
" dropped my hand like lead. So
they lead me on little way, and then up
some steps | counted them to myself as
l went along. They were six. You see
master. I took all this pains to know the
house again Then they opened door
that opened in the middle. They then
went along passage and up more stairs
there was ten and turn, and then ten
more. Then along another passage, anil
up another flight of stairs, just like the
first. Then along another passage. and
up third flight of stairs. They was alike.
We'll, sir, here we was at the top of
the house One O. them williams opened
door on the left side, and t'other said.
"There-go in and do your duty !" and
pushed me through the door and shut and
locked it on me. Good gracious, sir. how
scared was l slipped off the silk hand
kercher, and feared as was, didn't for
get to put it in my bosom.
"Then | looked about me. Right
afore me on the hearth was little weny
taper burning, that showed | was in
great big garnet With sloping walls. At
one end two deep doriner windows and
black walnut bureau standing between
them At t'other end great tester bed.
stead with dark curtains. There was a
dark carpet on the floor. And with all
there were so many dark objects and so
many shadows, and the little taper burned
so dimly that l could hardly tell t'other
from which, or keep FROM breaking my
nose against things as l CROPPED about
And what was in this room for to
to? couldn't even form an idee. But
presently my blood ran cold to hear
groan from behind the curtains-theu an.
other-and another-then q cry as of
child in mortal agony, saying
So For the love of Heaven, save me !
Il ran to the bed and dropped the cur
tains, and liked to have fainted at what I
saw"
And what did you ?" asked the
magistrate.
Master. behiud those dark curtains
saw young creature tossing about on the
bed, flinging her fair and beautiful arms
about, and tearing wildly at the fine lace
that trimmed her night dress. But, master
that wasn't what almost made me faint
it was that her right hand was sewed up
in black Grape, and her whole face and
head completely covered with black Grape
drawn down and fastened securely around
her throat, leaving only a small slit at
the lips and nose to breath through !"
What take care, woman remember
that you are upon your oath ~ said the
magistrate.
| know it, master And as | hope to
be forgiven am telling you the truth !"
go on, then"
"Well sir, she was young creature,
scarcely past childhood, if one might Judge
by her small size, and soft, rosy skin. I
asked her to let me take that black Grape
from her face and head, but she threw up
her hands and exclaimed
49, Oh, no, no, no for my life, nom
"Well, master, hardly know how to
tell you what followed-" said the old
woman, hesitatingly in embarrassment.
$50 right straight on like car OF jug.
gernaut, woman Remember--th whole
truth q!
"Well, master. in the next two hours
there were twins born in that room-a boy
and girl the boy was dead, the girl liv.
ing. And al the time heard the meas.
ured tramping of one of them williams up
and down the passage outside of that room
Presently the steps stopped, and there was
a rap at the door. went and listened
but did not open it."
%" Is it all over? the voice asked.
d" Before could answer, cry from the
bed caused me to look round There was
the poor masked mother stretching out her
white arms toward me in the most implor.
ing way. | FASTENED back to her.
"'Tell him-no-no,' she said.