The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-10
THE TRYST IN TWIN.TREE LANE.

The Tk1SI In TWlN.IhEE LANE.
AT midnight between the 9th and 10th
of May, 18- (it is less than thirty-fiv
years ago), there occurred meeting which
whether for the incongruity of its cOnstit
uent elements, the difficulties with which
it was encompassed, its gloom and mystery
or its actual purpose, has to the best of the
writer's belief no parallel in social history
During the period that has since elapsed
many minor particulars have come tc
light, and supplied the materials for as
circumstantial narrative of this singular
transaction as the most curious inquirer
could desire.
On the evening of the 9Th of May, that
is, the day preceding the incident about to
be related, the family of Mr.: Newton
Horsfall, of Cowling Priors, Herts, no
ticed something unusual in that gentle.
mans demeanor.
Mr.. Horsfall was the representative oi
an old and loyal county family. Though
of somewhat quiet and retiring habits, he
was an active county magistrate, and, the
previous year, had served the office OF
high sheriff. Aged, at this period, about
forty eight, he had married seven years
before lady twenty years his Junior, by
whom he had son and daughter.
At dinner, on the day above mentioned,
Mr. Horsfall's disturbance seemed to in
crease. He ate but little, was silent and
abstracted, and, contrary to his wont, ap-
peared relieved when his wife's departure
left him to his own meditations. He
moved restlessly in his chair, got up and
paced the room, and, finally, sitting down
at bureau that stood in q corner Of the
room, fell to examining some papers he
selected from its contents. These he di-
vided into two portions, one of which he
tore up to the minutest particles, the other
he placed under seal and restored to its
former place. 1t was known at an after
period that he had also opened and repe-
rused his will.
This done, he rested his head on both
hands and resumed his anxious medita-
tions. Suddenly he spoke aloud.
al will-yes, 1 will do it. Yes, come
what may, the reproach of being absent
shall not attach alone to me. Let danger,
let what is worse, ridicule, attend this
proceeding, l am Of race that keep their
faith, and"
"Newton!" said a gentle voice, and a
white hand glistened on his shoulder. I" /
have not been your wife for seven years,
resumed Mrs. Horsfall, without learning
to read your face. You have a trouble,
dear; the first, hope and believe, you
have not permitted me to share. Forgive
my eavesdropping. My anxiety was in
tolerable. What has happened?"
Mr. Horsfall smiled.
Happened, nv love9 Nothing, nothing
in the world. The worst is-the very
worst is, that-that-I must leave you for
some thirty-six hours, and that, unfortu-
nately, this very night"
"To-night!"
al understand your CONSERVATION, my
DEAR" said her husband, trying to speak
lightly; 1--WE have people to dinner to-
morrow, and unless they would consent to
wait till six in the morning, my Lucy must
be host and hostess too"
40 Newton, il, is impossiblep
"Try."
"But will you tell me nothing more?"
every word, dear; but not aop."
"Newton, have petition to make to
you"
"Spesk it, love-"
"1ake me with you"
"Not if-ahem-my dear, it is impossi-
bic" said the magistrate "You must remain
to receive our friends, and assure them
that nothing short of business that would
not brook an hours delay compelled me to
be absent from my post. Now, if you love
me, not another question. Ring the bell,
like sensible woman, and order the car
riage at four"
"Four in the morning" calculated
Mrs Horsfall, family, and burst into tears.
"The idea is terrible" said the magis-
trate, smiling; "but take courage. Duty
calls"
"May I go with you part of the way?"
"To London. Certainly, if you wish it.
AA the way"
1t was not in his very gentlest accents
that Jacob Gould, the coachman, acquaint-
ed his pampered horses with the astound-
ing fact that they were required to turn
out of their comfortable nests, as he him.
self had done, at four in the morning.
As for Mr. Horsfall himself, now that
ne had apparently resolved upon his
course of action, he grew more cheerful
and tested gayly with his wife as
he put her into the carriage. At the top
of Regent Street he stopped the carriage
and beckoned to hackney coach.
"God bless you, my love" he cried,
! reaning from the window: and, adding a
word Of direction to the driver, was jolted
away.
Where did your master say, Robert ~
.sked Mrs. Horsfall.
"Whyto' seller, Piccadilly, 'm," retorted
Robert, with slight cough, meant to in
timate that travelling so early did not agree
with him.
"I will alight here also, said Mrs. Hors.
fall. "Let the carriage be put up for an
/ Va., and Toonh
breakfast, then return home, and see that
the letters have left be delivered imme
diately. / shall not be back until to
morrow, with your master. Call that
coach"
"Piccadilly," was the direction she
gave, but, stopping the coach in a minute
or two, she asked the driver what was the
White Horse Cellar.
"Place wheer the Brighton coaches
plies FROM" was the answer.
"Drive to the Elephant and Castle" said
Mrs. Horsfall, "and be quick"
ais there Brighton coach about tC
startg" Mrs. Horsfall inquired, eagerly, az
they mingled with the mass of coache.
which, at that period, congregated around
the well-known hostel.
"Yes, IN, the Age, in moment ;-ont
| PoAsSA w WAN
Brighton driver, who nodded.
Mrs. Horsfall was in her place in a mo
ment, and whisking along through Toot
ing, half an hour ahead of her husband
supposing, indeed, he had taken that road
But she was far from content with herself
Twenty times, during the journey, sh'
wished the step untaken. As often she sue
ceeded in persuading herself that her dis
obedience was pardonabie, and preferable
whatever its consequence, to the anxiety
she would have had to endure; for tina
her husband was bound on an expedition
of danger, she entertained no manner
doubt.
It was period of discomfort, and mucl
uneasiness From causes not necessary
here to recall, the working classes in sew
eral counties had allowed themselves tt
be moved to serious outrage. lncendl
arism was the order of the day, or night
and it was no uncommon thing to see th'
horizon lit up in twenty places wi. th'
fires that guilty hands had kindled. Every
where there was a vague apprehension
a visit from the "mob," which noun
multitude was supposed to be prowlln,
about, burning and pillaging the houses 0
the rich, and, in more than one instance
justifying the fear. Mrs. Horsfal trem
bled, as it occurred to her that her hus
bands excursion was connected Win I'M
repression of these disturbances.
She had resolved upon her course o
action; and, accordingly, quilted TN
coach at small hotel at the very entranc'
Of Brighton, at which most of the coache
halted for moment. Here she obtainet
an apartment facing the road and ShrOud