Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-09-14
General IHtsctIIanu.


Tho tale am about to relate, is not one Of
wild daring or desperate courage; neither
does it mystoriously whisper of shoeted vis-
ions walking in midnight gloom; neverthe-
less, ] think il as startling an adventure os
ever beicll a young maiden and ON careful
review Of all the circumstances, | have ar
rived at the conclusion that the hoir-brcath
escapes and dirolul distress Of the renowned
Amanda Fitzallen were not to be compared
with IT,
| 1t was one droary afternoon, not long since,
when the rain seemed particularly unwilling
to descend, and SO compromised the matter
| by falling in heavy mist, that descended to
dinner in rather an unamiablo mood, and |
had-or thought had, good cause for my
unusual disturbance Of temper II ID almost
needless for me to assert that | generally am
extremely mild and choorful-quite angelic,
in fact, but on this occasion, ! confess, had
pouted for the last twelve hours. 1t was but
the Monday previous, at Mrs. Mooro's party,
\ that George Borkley, after dancing two quad
rifles and the Danish polka with me, in sue
cession, had asked me, in the most charming
manner, if be might have the pleasure Of cs-
corting me to the theatre the next evening
! had looked wise-rehectod if had any en-
gagoment, then graciously replied 81 should
be very happy" And to think that, instead
Of maiestcally sailing off with him in all the
| glory Of my spring attire, | was obliged TO
tell him, when he called for me docking so
handsome too;
/ i regret it extremely, but papa wishes me
to wait a year or two yet, before | 90 out
with gentlemen-he thinks me rather too
young;
could have cried with voxation, but as
this exhibition might pnssibly have induced
Mr.. Berkeley to become Of papa's opinion,
RETAINED, and babe him adieu with all dignity
of twenty-five at least. lie appeared to feel
as much disappointed, as thought-and
there was some comfort in that.
dare say papas conscience must have
smote him, or else my dolcful looks troubled
him; for as We were finishing dessert, he
said.
Annie if you would like to go to the the
atre Tonight, run up stairs and get ready. l
will take you
My first idea was to pout, and say 4 did
not care about it, but on sober second
thought, quietly left the room.
After all, said l. as mounted the stairs,
i can wear my beautiful big bonnet and
perhaps he may be there-who knows;
1t was not long before was fully arrayod,
and scarce needing Bridgct's hattering COM
ment; 'lndadc, miss, you look ralc beautiful,
sprang into the carriage, which was soon
rapidly whirling toward Fulton Ferry We
reside in Brooklyn Ere another hour | was
deeply absorbed in the misery of poor Effie
Deans. ] turned my head to wipe away the
startling tear, when 10 but little distance
from me, sat George Berkeley, with that odi-
GUS Marion Raymond My tears remained
frozen to my eyelids, and the woes of Jennie
and Ellie vanished in thin air George and
Marion were ignorant Of my proximity; aud
he trided with her boquct, nibbled her sugar
plums, and famed hcr as ossiduously as
though she were the only being ON earth for
him. What fclt ! cannot tell.
All, girls | know some Of you have wit
messed scenes like thls-truly they need no
description OF mine.
In what manner passed the rest of the
evening, know not; but whom the play was
over, l rose with the inyincible determination
to abiurc his acquaintance at once, and for
ever. As for hcr-dctcstablo creature -
Tho tears so blinded my eyes, l could scarce
ly follow papa through the crowd. He drop
ped my arm a moment to find the carriage,
and stood chilly aud cold in the damp night
air, till heard his imi atent tone Come
Annie quick darted forward, sprang in
at the open window, which closed rapidly
and away We whircd down Broadway. Lean
ing back among the cushions, | allowed nay
pride and grief to have full sway And de-
youtly hoping papa would not notice or speak
to me. | allowed the bitter tears to rain si-
enuy down. There was a suhocatng sensa-
tion in my throat, that caused me to lower
the window by my side, when gruH voice
exclaimcd:-
Good heavens Maria what do you want
any more cold air in here for | am nerly
frozen, now
Merciful powers who was il Where was
/ | ? Surely that was not papa's voice. At this
moment ray from passing gaslight shonc
upon the opposite seat, and to my horror, and
dismay, instead of the grey hair and placid
brow of dear papa was a mass Of wavy black
hair, heavy moustache, keen, dark eye,
and a most iormidub countenance. rub
bed my eyes to convince myself that was
not dreaming; but the fast receding light
still glmmered in those fierce, dark eyes.
How came he there; where papa
what right had that man in our carriage -
These and a thousand other questions came
crowdng thickly, but fear and bawilderment
chained my tongue. was Just about essay
lhH WV NN' PNi"tN HhNlth papa papa NHNh
my amiable ris-d-Uis spoke agan:--
What the deuce. Maria, makes you so sui
ky; l hope the next time you go to the the
atre, youll go with one of your beaux-Eld-
ridge for instance; you'd be sweet enough to
him, dare say Maria, are you asleep,'
held my breath in perfect agony.
Fast asleep by Joye ! deliberately settled
himself among the cushions; first taking the
precaution to close the window by my side.
Who could he be lie surely could not
have murdered papa, and stole his carriage;
but this blood-thirsty idea was abandoned as
soon as formed; when suddenly, clear as
noon-day, it became apparcnt-l, in my blind
agitation had sprang into the wrong carriage.
And this Maria'-Could it be yes she had
doubtless been left on the pavement, as the
vehicle rolled swiftly away.
But now, what should doi | ondeayored
to calm my agitation and prevent the trom-
bling of my limbs from being noticed as
reflected should ! fall in Mysteries, or quietly
inform the gentleman was not Maria, -
But cold sweat gathering on my brow, as
imagined his scornful astonishmont at my
ayowal, Ofcourso he would not believe that
a young lady would thrust herself in the
same carriage with gentleman by mistake.