The mountain Democrat., 1863-11-21

to do all inmy power, while avowing that
could suggest no resource in the dilem-
ma. Mary, however, was prepared with
a scheme, which at first seemed crude
and rash to me, but which / willingly
agreed to essay, in default Of any other
plan.
Thank you, sir, thousand, thousand
times, whether you succeed or not in sa-
wing my poor Henry. l will pray to God
for you till my dying day, dear Mr..
Hawley.'
So saying, Mary Wade dried her eyes,
wiped away the gistening stains of tear
drops from her face; and tripped demure-
ly from the room and down the passage,
wishing Mrs. Simmons goodnight as she
went by, in quiet, cheerful tone, as il
her heart were not full to bursting of an
agony of hope and fear.
She was gone, and l had my work to
do. felt rather nervous about it, it was
so foreign to my usual mode of life it
was an errand of mercy, no doubt, but it
hardly seemed Of clerical nature.
was putting away my unfinished sermon,
and bad my hat on, and my greatcoat,
ready to sally forth, when Mrs Simmons
came, trCs to the usual hour, jingling
with the tea-tray.
'Lawks, Mr.. Hawley, I'd no idea you
was going out any more, said my landla-
dy, with just shade of tartness in her
tone; 'and without your tea, too; what
a pity you let me toast the crumpets.'
Bachelors of mild disposition are not
uncommonly little henpecked by their
landladies, housekeepers, or indeed any
middle aged female with whom they have
anything to do, and l was very punctu-
al man in general, and given to carly
hours. So, daresay, | WINGED some
what at Mrs. Simmons remark; but
briefly excusins my apparent caprice on
the ground Of visit to parishioner
who was in some danger, hurried out.
1t was a dark night in foggy December,
not very cold, but damp and raw. The
streets Of Sallyport, ,uhccan and ill-paved,
presented most gloomy appearance as |
CROPPED my way along them by such fee.
BILE light as the wretched oil lamps,
sparsely hung in the main thoroughfare,
afforded. | knew the Blue Dolphin, a
house Of resort for merchant seamen, in
rather an out-of-the.way nook, but had
never visited the neighborhood save in
broad daylight; and it cost me some
trouble to find it on the night in question.
After twice losing my way among narrow
alleys, paved with sharp pebbles, and
where the crazy wooden dwellings, ,caulk-
ed and pitched like so many fishing
smackS, were tapestried with nets and
perfumed with herrings, at last found
myself within sight of the creaking sign
board, on whose ground of faded pink the
Blue Dolphin displayed his cerulian scales
and courtcd custom.
AS approached, two men, wrapped in
those rough blue coats which sailors call
gregos, and with glazed hats souched
over their faces, sprang forward from un.
der an archway on the right; while two
more, who might have been twin.brotherS
to the first couple, emerged from q blind
alley on the LETT. heard their cutlaSses
clink as they moved, and saw the brass
! bound stock of pistol peeping out of the
breast-pocket of the man who caught me
rudely by the wrist. The pressgang!
What cheer, brother' growled my
captor. holding me fast. WHITTIER SO
fast, at this time o night?'
What sort of fish have you nettcd,
Bill?' said another deep voice. Is he
worth picking Up to nibble his majesty's
biscuit, eh 2
He's only land lubber; don't you
twig his shore.going togs?' gYumbled
the redoubtable Bill, whose grip was like
the pressure Of vice. Still, he might
do for waister, if not for one of the af-
cr-guard.'
now recovered from the first shock Of
surprise. | proclaimed my name and
sacred calling, demanded my instant re-
lease, and warned them that they would
be punished if they molested clergy
man.
The men grumbled between their teeth
some alusion to CANNON and a cock
that wouldn't fight when, luckily for
me, little sunburned imp of midship.
man came on the scene, followed by three
seamen, one Of whom had a lantern. =
The moment | saw the light glinting on
tie boys gold-laccd cap, knew deliver
ance was at hand. Irenewed my appeal.
'Avast, you fools!' exclaimed the
youngSter. Lift the lantern Smithers
throw the gIim on the chaps face-so.-
Bill Jetfreys, you dunderheaded son of a
sea-cook, let the gentleman co. beg
your pardon, sir, for these fellows blum
der, but generally, in the dark, al's fish
that come to our net. Hope they hav'nt
hurt you?'-
hastily assured the little officer that ]
was none the worse Tor the rough hand.
ling Of his followers, took my departure
at once, and in two seconds more was tap.
ping at the door Of the Blue Dolphin.
No notice was taken Of the knocking
until ventured to rattle the latch up and
down, and to rap smartly with my foot
against the panels. Then, indeed, there
was great stamping and shutf1ing to be
heard inside; light appeared at lattice
overhead, and the window was cautiously
opened, while female voice said, who's
there? You can't come in, for were all
just gone to bed
To bed at nine o'clock, Mrs Smart =
Your usual hours must have been strange,
ly altered, should say answered I. BE
so kind as to admit me at once. must
speak to some of the men who are here
'Menr exclaimed the voice from the
upper window. You're talking of what
you don't understand. There's no men
here but my husband and the lame
hostler'
Il must see the persons I SEEK I re-
piled with energy, but still in cautious
tone. You ought to know my voice
am Mr.. Hawley, the vicar, and will
and must be let in.
A good deal of consultation took place,
in alternate whispers and growls, between
Mrs. Smart and some one I guessed to be
her husband, the landlord and then the