Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-03-23

the block was poor woman, and she
was dying. Her only treasure was n
babe. She could not die in peace unless
her babe was baptized. Ifhis reverence
would come to her dying pillow and adj
minister that sacrament, the blessing of
poor dying woman would bc his re-
ward. 1t was much to ask, and at mid
night too, but his Great Master, who
loved the poor, would not have denied
such request as this
His humane and religious sympathes
were aroused, and the minister followed
the messenger. Common prudence
would have said "Talxc policeman
with you. Call up a friend, and get him
to bear part in the ceremony But,
dreaming of no peril he went on his
way to dc, as he thought, his masters
will. He was soon in a dissolute re-
gion, in street notorious for its UNI
clCanncss. The messenger Knocked at
a heavy gate, that closed up II narrow,
dark alley. 1t opened Immediately,
and slammed behind the parties like
prison door. Through long, narrow,
and unwhoiesome entry, that seemed to
be an alley-way covered, the parties
took their way. They passed up mar
row staircase, broken and rickety. Lewd
womCh were passed on the stairs. Dark
featured and Misunderstanding men
seemed to crowd the place. With his
sacred vestments on his arm, and his
book of scrvice in his hand, the minis
ter was ushCred into a dark and UNI
WhOlosomc-loOking room. The door
was closed behind him, and locked. A
dim candle on the table revealed the
outline of Il dozen person, male and fe
male, of the most abandoned and des-
perate class. His inquiry for the sick
woman, and the child TO be baptised,
was greeted by shouts of laughter. He
knew he was Il victim. He demanded
the reason for this outage. He was in
formed that his friends who invited
him there wanted money, His stand
ing and character were well known.
He was in one of the most notorious
houses in New York his midnight
visit to that place was well known, and
could easily be proved. If he paid one
thousand dollars all would be well. If
not, his ruin was certain. Instead of
defying the villains, calling on the po-
lice, or confiding in his congregation,
he thought he could hush the natter
up. He might have known that it
would all come out, and that every dol
lar he paid would be used as evidence
against him, or as Il means to eXtort
more. But he was thoroughly fright
for the world; his hand was in the Ii
on's mouth, and he must draw it out as
easily as he could so he gave his obli-
cation TO pay the money promptly at
noon the next day, which he did. OF
course, new demands We're made from
time to time. He was logged in the
streets. Suspicous-loolling men stop
ped to speak with him on the corners.
Notorious men rang his door-bell. Mys-
ferrous notes, from ignorant, low d,
and vicious persons, - as the spelling
and language showed came to his
hands, and into the hands of his family.
The poor man was nearly distracted.
He pad away his own money, and bor-
rowed until his reputation suffered.
The threat of exposure hung over him
like an ominous sword held by a hair.
In a moment of desperation he decided
to leave the country, which he did, to
the establishment and regret of his
friends.
On his return from Europe, the rec
tor settled in Massachusetts, over a ru-
raj parish. He was soon tracked to his
country home. Black-mailing was re-
newcd. His old terror came upon him.
Again he acceded to the eXtOrtion.
The police of New York at length came
to his relief In searching for other
game, tney came upon PROOF tnat tnls
minister was in the hands of black
mailels. Letters were found contain
ing information of his whereabouts,
how to terrify him, what sums to de-
mand, and at what time his salary was
due. He was relieved from his persuers.
The large sums he had paid were not
refunded. His spirits were broken, and
he has never recovered his position. |
saw him not long since in Canada. He
holds a subordinate position, and is
preaching to a small parish. He will
die a victim of matchmaking.
Mr.. William Corbetj is the St. Al
bafs Agent for this interesting work.