Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-08-01

the other.
Come follow as lead, aud remember !" /
said that stern whisper again, and at the /
moment a strong hand took hold Of mine.
arose, stepped from the boat to some
stairs, went up the Steps, and though long,
narrow passaga, aud then down some stairs, /
and through another long, narrow passage,
and then up and through, and down and
through, till heartily prayed | might soon
get through, and all the time in darkness
that might have been cut with a knife, so TO
speak, and in silence that death itself might
have been satisfied with.
At last we entered an underground place.
that seemed to be large crypt, as | hastily
surveyed il by the light of hambeau that
a masked figure held in his hand The
other masked figures. all in black gowns, or
dominos, were standing beside them and
glance at my guide showed him habited or
masked in the same manner. The giIl was
not present.
2" Monsieur le chirurgeop," said stern
voice, aloud, s. swear by your honor as a
gentleman, you viii never reveal auaht of
this nights adventures--of what you have
seen or shall see--of what you have heard
or shall hear-of what you know or shall
know"
swear never to make the slightest
revelation while | remain in France" re-
Piled
Enough. Secret assassination viii be
the penalty if you break your oath. Now
follow us"
] was conducted up stairs, two or three
flights, into a small and elegant furnished
apartment, in one corner Of which was a
bed, and on the bed was a young man, with
face as white as sheet, and groaning at
every breath. One of my mysterious com
panions tLrned down the coverlet, and show
ed me leg completely shattered at the
knee, evideotly by pistol or musket
ball
" Well, monsieur z" said an anxious voice.
There is no help for 1.-THE leg must
come Off" l answered, by this time COM
pletely sobered.
Monsieur will take it off, then"
81 have not my implements with me-"
Here is all monsieur can need"
A complete and beautiful set was produc-
ed. Without another word | took off my
coat, rolled up my sleeves, and proceeded
10 the work, the masks assisting me. The
poor sufferer tainted under the painful OPP
Grafton. When all was finished, one of the
men said to me. in low, anxious tone;
" viii he survives?
" With careful attention and nursing, |
think he will.'
"Thanks. Monsieur lie docteur will write
down all necessary Instructions"
!" Pen, ink and paper being furnished me,
this proceeded to do. When all was COM
pleted, heavy purse was placed in my hand
and The mask said
"Alonsieur lie docteur will not forget his
oath"
" Not very likely to, with assassination in
prospective" said l.
Enough Come !"
followed my conductor down into the
crypt again, and then, in total darkness, was
led through a succession If long narrow pas
sspes, alternating with stairs, the same a
before-hut not ending where | began
for door was at last thrown open, and I
suddenly found myself in a dark, narrow
street | heard slight click behind me,
and on looking around " rs greatly surpris-
ed to find myself standing alone, beside a
church, and only bland wall where ! ex,
pected 10 see door at least. The stones
we're all alike, as far as ] could see, and
nothing TO indicate an opening of any kind.
And vet had either come through that wall,
or else was dreaming. Was | dreaming /!
was not quite sure, though the purse that
had been put into my hand felt very heavy.
Well, thought /, this win do for one night,
at any rate; and now, like the Dutch burgo-
master in the play, | will go home and
think.
was some distance from the Seine; but
| soon found the river, and, in less than half
an hour after, my lodgings also, which /
reached Just as day was breaking.
| went to bed and went 10 sleep, and
slept till noon, and then got up and counted
my money-ffty napoleons in good, hard,
yellow gold.
WELL" said l, if my last nights adj
venture was a dream, ! only hope and pray
| may keep on dreaming SO every night.
But what was this mystery? What could
it mean? Pshaw why trouble my brain
about It, when there was no probability |
should ever know
On taking my breakfast--or dinner, il
you choose-;t the Cafe de Tortoni look
ed ever the columns of Monitear Universal,
and soon found myself deeply interested in
the details of the astounding assassination OF
Madame -, a wel-kuown favorite of the
king of the French. Her apartments had
been entered by band of masked assassins,
and the lady stabbed in her bed. Her dy-
ing screams had brought assistance, but not
sufficient TO secure the rutfians, all Of whom
had escaped, though one had been shot and
carried off by his companions. One hundr-
ed thousand francs reward was offered for
the apprehension and conviction of the ruff
fans, or any Of them.
Ohio !" said l to myself, 81 think know
somethipgp
But | said il only to myself. Neither the
king of the French, nor any of his subjects,
was ever made wiser of my knowledge. /
never heard that either Of the assassins was
ever arrested; but to this day | believe /
was made fifty napoleons the richer for
shortening the leg Of one of them--EdiH-
ba1g Journal.
NEVER PIT OFF TILL To-MoRRow.-"l
would ike to have you run down to Mrs.
Bowen's for me, Katy, before sun-down,7 :
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