The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-06-25
tered sound why have you disturbed

me ?"
As soon as heard this retreated at
once to my own room, and closed and
locked the door. 1t was cowardly thing
to do, but confess dared not face that
regiment of excited men and women, who
were beginning already to abuse each
other, and who, felt cure, would pres.
emily turn upon me with the conviction
that had been playing silly practical
joke upon them.
"Ou est done ce monsieur |" heard
them exclaim, and the word Betise, be-
tise," was repeated often in variety Of
voices; then there were snarling sounds,
as If, like Demosthenes, they had been
taking lessons from the dogs in the pro-
nunciation of the letter "r-r-r.r," and mu-
tual recriminations. Somebody was called
ga great turkey" and told to ego to
bed," which have no doubt he would be
glad to do. l suspect it was the tall
white cook, who had been, next to myself,
the chief agent in the disturbance how
ever, hard words break no bones, and as
no one seemed to know who was, from
whence had issued, or to what Gnu.
nero / had retired, / did not think 1t
necessary to betray myself, and after a
time they all withdrew, still chattering
and complaining, to their beds, and also
went to mine.
In the corridor, or it might be just in
side my neighbours room, l am not sure
which, / had taken up from the floor an
envelope on which my name was written.
l did not think much of it at the moment,
supposing had dropped it from the
pocket Of my coat, which l had flung
hastily over my shoulder when / left my
room but the next morning, when l was
dressing, it attracted my attention as it
lay upon the table where had placed it.
1 took out the enclosure (the envelope had
been opened previously, and to my great
surprise discovered nothing but copy OF
the English alphabet, with the same let
ters repeated in different order, or rather
disorder, under it. l did not recognize
the handwriting, nor did l remember ever
having seen the paper before; but my
name was upon the envelope plainly
enough, 80 thought it might possibly be-
long to some other member of my family,
and have come into my possession by mis-
take. When descended into the coffee
room asked the waiter whether there
was any other person of the name Of Dick
ems in the hotel, and, after he had made
enquiry, he answered, "No;" but gen.
tleman who was sitting near me looked
up so quickly and 30 anxiously at the mo-
ment that was on the point of speaking
to him, when he rose up suddenly and
left the room. l noticed the same gen.
tleman, man of about sixty years, per-
haps, with sad, depressed look and man.
ner, reading The Times newspaper in the
afternoon, or rather the first page of it,
and signing dismally, as if he were in
some great trouble. More than once
would have spoken to him, but every time
that he caught my eye he seemed con-
fused and anxious to avoid me; and, of
course, did not wish to intrude upon
him, though would gladly have cheered
him up little if could have done 30, as
he seemed to be quite alone.
The following night l was again dis
turbed about the same hour as before, but
by different cause. As SOON as was
fairly awake became aware that some
one was in my room with light. The
light was indeed 80 faint, or rather 30
carefully shaded from sight, that it was
almost confined to one spot, like a ray
from dark lantern. 1t served, however,
to show me the form of man standing
near my dressing-table, upon which I had
laid my purse and watch and some other
contents of my pockets when l undressed.
The figure was busy with these articles,
turning them over, as if making q &c.
lection; and for few seconds lay still,
watching him. saw him take something,
which from the sound thought must be
letter, and after examining the address,
clasp it eagerly in his hand and then he
turned to leave the room, walking with
stealthy steps and carefully shading the
light from my eyes with his hand.
was determined not to be robbed in
this manner, and, slipping hastily out OF
bed, contrived to reach the door and inter
cept his retreat, almost before he knew
that he had been observed. In his sur
prise, he dropped the candle and with a
sudden gasp or exclamation stood still
before me, making no effort to escape,
and presently began to sob HISTORICALLY.
I closed and locked the door, and then, as
quickly as could, lighted my candle. To
my great surprise and sorrow, I found
that the person 1 had detected was nc
other than the sad old gentleman whom
had noticed in the coffee-room reading
The Times, as have told you.
perceived Immediately that my watch
and purse, with one or two rings, were
lying on the table undisturbed it was
evident, therefore, that this was no com
mon thief.
"What have you taken ?" asked
"what motive had you in coming to my
room ?"
felt very sorry for the poor man, hi
seemed in such distress, and | suppose
something in my look or tone of voice
made him aware of it.
al will tell you," he said, " if you viii
only be silent and promise not to betray
me. am the most unfortunate of men
but will tell you everything and ther
throw myself upon your mercy. am en-
tirely in your power, but if you believe
my story you will be sorry for me. an
quite innocent of any wrong in this matte
AS innocent as yourself-and l nigh
say, even more 30
"How can that be 2" l asked.
"See," said he "this is the only shinf
have robbed you of, and this is mine
not yours and he showed me the en-
velope with my name upon it.
"Then why did you not claim it?"
asked you saw it in my hand yesterday
Why did you not ask for it 2"
81 dared not, and 1 am going to tel
you why"
! &c Hour M mo nav, ,,ax.oo ,..s.. "a q %