The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-04-04
MY ADVENTURE AT THE ASsIZEs

town as a Junior member Of highly re-
spectacle legal firm. knowing that there
would be several important causes, besides
our own, and two or three cases on the Grim
mai side, which excited much public atten-
ton. and that thus the small county town
would be overwhelmed with visitors, took
the precaution Of writlng-the night before
my journey-to secure beds for myself and
clerk at the principal inn, where was, of
course, we'll known.
The next day took my journey, arriving
at my destination early in the day. l found,
as had expected, the town crowded with
people; and, on going to the hotel, the land
lord informed me that he had received nv
letter, but that to retain bedroom for me
in his house had been absolutely impossible,
the hotel being filled to overfowing by other
persons who had bespoken rooms before me-
He had provided one small bedroom in a
respectable public house, which would suit
my clerk; but as to myself, if would confde
my sleeping arrangements to his care, he
would ensure me handsome apartment and
comfortable bedroom out of the house, and
would convey me there in one of his car
riases.
| Being somewhat particular in the matter
OF sleeping accommodation, thought it de-
slrabe to inquire more particularly where he
proposed to send me: but as he was much
pressed for time, he could only briefly ac-
quaint me, that the room intended for nv use
was in large, unoccupied house standing
rather on the outskirts of the town, and that
the owner had been man of fortune, which
he lad spent neither we'll nor wisely, and had
been in consequence compelled to leave Eng
land.
! The mansion ITSELF which had TWO or three
hait-turnlshed rooms, had been placed by the
agent at the disposal of the landlord
OF the hotel on this occasion for the ac-
commodalion of such customers as he might
find himself unable to receive at his own
house. There being no remedy, | was COM
PEELED to submit TO this arrangement; ard in
a few minutes, the attendance on witnesses,
consultations with counsel, and the usual
preparations for going into court, put the
matter entirely out of my head.
My cause was the third on the list. The
first was understood to be a short cause
which would soon be disposed of; the secord
was case relating to watercourse, which
everybody knows to be one of the most te-
dious and lengthy of all imaginable cases
this, it was expected, would be arranged out
Of court, in which event my cause would be
called on early in the course of the day.
Contrary, however, to expectation, neither of
these probabilities occurred, and although
compelled to stay in court all day, my cause
remained untried.
About six o'clock, therefore, fatigued and
mentally wearied, | repaired to the hotel,
where, after good dinner, and q co1sulta-
ton with our leading counsel, found a COM
comfortable fly ready to take me to my quar-
ters at about ten o'clock. 1t is scarcely need
ful to add that my mind was intensely occu-
pied with the coming trial, the result Of
which, from various circumstances, was of
mere than ordinary Importance to our
firm.
1t struck me, however, that the fly was
longer than had expected in conveying me
to my place of abode for the night, and this
circumstance at length reused ME from my
pre-occupation and looking out of the win
dow, perceived that had left the town and
was proceeding along dark lane which ap-
peared to have diverged from the turnpike
road. In few minutes the carriage stopped
at garden door, which was opened BY the
} driver, who then proceeded to let me out of
the fly, intimatng that this was the house
where | was to sleep,and that he had brought
the key.
On getting out of the fly with my small
portmanteau, which contained amongst other
things considerable sum of money, found
myself in front of large old-fasfloned house
standing at the head of desolate. neglected!
lawn. In a window on the first floor a light
was burning; that room, the driver informed
me, was my bedroom. The house was lock-
; ed, and he had instructions to deliver the key
: into my hainS, and to assure me that should
find everything very comfortable; and that
, in the morning he would bring the fly for n.t
at an early hour to take me to my breakfast
, at the inn. Bidding the man good night,
went towards the mansion, key in hand, pre-
pared to forget all troubles in a sound night.
rest.
, The night was starlight-there was nc
moon-and but for the little light which
glimmered in the window, the position of tht
house and its character would have beer
scarcely traceable from the distance at which
l entered by the garden gate. AS adYanc
y ed it became more deiined,and the overgrowl
= wilderness in which it stood gave it decided
character of desolation.
: Opening the door with my key, and agair
i carefully locking it inside, and securing i
with one or two rusty bolts, went up stairs
f the light from the small lamp fixed agains
q the wall of the staircase being my onl,
guide. AS | ascendeG the staircase mt,
mentary feeling OF solitude flashed acros
" me; but my mind was too much pre-occupiet
!, and my brain too weary to allow this feelin,
Il to develop Itself as it might have done unde
other circumstances.
/ | found the room prepared for me YER
l. comfortable, and everything about it was il
l. apple-ple order. ! soon retired to bed, bu
from some cause could not sleep, though
was extremely tired. For an hour or two
:. lay there in state of nervousness that can
~ not describe 1t was impossible to close m
= eyes in slumber. Presently | thought
~ heard footsteps on the gravel walk outside
~ l rose, opened my door, and listened. wa
= not mistaken, for soon heard the peculia
=, crunchlng sound of a oenter-bit boring at on
- Of the lower doors. A burglar was at worl
-, and | knew very well that my own effect
:. were the object of his labors
~ My first consideration was as to my mean
of defense, and the time which would be ii
"a lowed me for completing them. | remember
ID ed with some degree of comfort that ther
II were three heavy fastenings upon the QUITE
es door, and although knew too wei! that eac
er must yield in its ,urr to the irresistible in
Al of tho bon |
" that some minutes must elapse before /