The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-01-10
From an Old Magaziue.
THE LAST REVEL.

THE LAST REVEL.
When | was quite lad servant
lived with us by the name of Anne
Stacey. Anne was about two or
three and twenty years of age when she
came to Us, and very noble and indus
trious servant she was Her features,
everybody agreed, were eomely and in
telligent. But that advantage in the
matrimonial market was more than neu-
tralized by her unfortunate figure,
which, owing, as we understood, to a fall
in her childhood was hopelesslv de
formed, though still strongly set and
muscular. Albeit sum of money
about e50-scraped together by thrifty
self-denial during dozen years of servi-
tude, amply compensated in the eyes of
several idle and needy young fellows for
the unlovely outline of her person, and
Anne, in spite of repeated warnings, and
secret misgivings, one would suppose, of
her own mind, married the best looking,
but most worthless and dissipated of
them all. Many years after he was
pointed out to me when standing by the
Cross House, near the ferry, in company
with a comparatively youthful despera-
do, whose real name was John Wyatt,
though generally known among the
smuggling fraternity and other personal
intimates by the soubriquet of Black John
on account, ! suppose, of his dark,
heayy-browed, scowling figure-head, one
of the most repulsive, ! think, | have
ever seen.
Two or three weeks afterwards again
met with them under the following cir
cumstances: | landed from the Rose at
Lymington for the purpose of going by
coach to Lyndhurst, a considerable vii
lage in the New Forest. had appoint
ed to meet a confidential agent there at
the Fox and Hounds Inn, third rate
tavern, situated at the foot OF the hill
upon which the place is built; and as
the evening promised to be clear and
fine, though cold, anticipated a bracing
Cross-cOuntry walk afterwards in the
direction of Hythe, in the neighborhood
OF which dwelt a person-neither a sea-
man nor a smuggler-whose favor | was
just then very diligently cultivating.
1t was the month of November; and on
being set down at the door Of the inn
somewhere about six o'clock in the
evening, | quietly entered and took a
seat in the smoking-room unrecognized,
As | thought, by any one, for | was not
in uniform. My man had not arrived,
and after waiting few minutes
stepped out To inquire at the bar if such
a person had been there. To my great
surprise young woman-girl would be
better word, for she could not be more
than seventeen or at the,utmost, eighteen
years old-whom | had noticed on the
outside of the coach, was just asking if
one DIR. Lee was expected. This was
precisely the individual who was to meet
me, and looked with some curiosity at
the inquirer. She was coarsely but
neatly attired person of a pretty figure,
interesting but detected cast of features.
and with large; dark, sorrowing ewes.
Thoughtfulness and care were not less
marked in the humble, subdued tone in
which She spoke. "Could | sit down
anywhere until he comes?' she timidly
asked after hearing the bar-woman's re-
ply. The servant civilly invited her to
take seat at the bar-fre, and | re-
turned, without saying anything, to the
smoking-room, rang the bell, ordered a
glass of brandy and water and some bis
cults. | had been seated a very short
time only when the quick, consequential
step and sharp, cracked voice of DIR. Lee
sounded along the passage, and after a
momentary pause at the bar, his round,
Sinking, good-humored, knaviSh face
looked III at the parlor door, where, see
ing me aloue, he said aloud: " 4 prime
fire in the smoking-room, | see; | shall
treat myself to a Whit there presently"
This sid, the shining face vanished, in
order, doubted not, that its owner
might confer with the young girl who
had been enquiring for him.
He soon reappeared, and took a chair
by the fire, which, after civilly saluting
me, he stirred almost fercely, eyeing as
he did 80 the blazing Goals with half
distracted and sullen, cowed, disquieted
gaze altogether unusual with him. At
least, wherever | had before seen him, he
had been As loquaciouS and boastful as
Gascon.
g wish, he said, 4" | wish | was safe
out of this part of the country, or else
that a certain person | know was trans
ported; then indeed
And whom may that certain person
be, doctor?" demanded a grim looking
rascal, as he opened the door. Net me
| hope"
| instantly recognized the fellow, and
50 did the doctor, who had bounded from
his chair and was trembling all over as
if,with ague, while his rosy carbuncles
became ,pallid with alright.
1ou-u-u," he stammered, "you-u-u,
WYATT? God forbid"
Wyatt was, | saw, muddled with
liquor. This was fortunate, for poor
Lee.
Well, never mind if il was me, old
brick he reioined; or, at least, YOU
have been a brick, though I'm mis-
doubling you'll die a pantile after all.
But here's fortune; all's one for that"
He had pewter pot in one hand and
a pipe III the other, and as he drank, his
somewhat confused but baleful gaze con-
tinued leyeled savagely along the pewter
at the terrified doctor. There was, [
saw, mischief in the man.
I'D drink yours" continued the
rascal, as he paused for breath, and drew
the hand containing the pipe across his
mouth and stared as steadily as he could
IN my face. I'D drink your health if |
only knew your name"
You'll hear it plainly enough, my
fine fellow, when you re in the dock one
of these days, just before the Judge
sends you to the hulks, or, which is per
haps more likely, TO the gallows. And
this scamp, too" added, with a gesture
towards Lee, whom | hardly dared
venture TO glance al, who has been
pitching me such pretty rigmarole, is,
| see, a fellow rogue to yourself. This
house appears to be little better than a
thieves rendezvous, upon my word"
Wyatt regarded me with deadly
>cowl As he answered cay, ay, you're
a brave cock, Master Warneford, upon
your OWN dunghill. 1t rlay be my turn
some day. Here, doctor, word With