Year: 1865

no possibility OF doubt OF mistake
Every tree and every turn was familiar
to him. He hurried forward, no longer
doubling that the next moment would
bring him to the cottage and this was
really the case. In all its exterior ap-
pearances it corresponded with what he
had seen in his dream. Who, then
could wonder that he determined to as
certain whether the coincidence would
hold good in every point : He entered
the garden, and went directly to the spot
where he had seen the well, but here
the resemblance failed there was none.
He looked in every direction, examined
the whole garden, and even went round
the cottage, which seemed to be inhab-
tied but nowhere could he find any
signs of a well. He then fastened back
to the inn in state of excitement hard
to describe. He could not make up his
mind to allow such extraordinary coin
cidepces to pass unnoticed. But how
was he to obtain clue to the awful
mystery He went to the landlord,
and asked him directly to whom the cot
tage belonged that was on the by-road
near to him.


II wonder, Sir, said he, "what caus-
es you to take such particular notice Of
that wretched little howell? 1t is inhab-
tied by an old man and his wife, who
have the character of being very unso-
cial. They scarcely ever leave the
house, see nobody, and nobody goes to
see them. OF late their very existance
seems to have been forgotten, and, |
believe you are the first, who, for years
has turned your steps to the lonely spot. 2


These details, instead Of satisfying
his curiosity, only reused it the more.
Breakfast was served, but he could not
eat and he felt that if he presented
himself to the merchants in such a state
of excitement they night think him mad.
He walked up and down the room. and
looked out of the windows, endeavoring
to interest himself in quarrel between
two men in the street but the cottage
prcoccupicd his mind and, at last
snatching up his hat, he made his way
to the street. Fastening to the near
est ma gstrate, he related the whole cir
cumstance briefly and clearly.


''It is very strange" said the officer,
''and after what has happened. I don't
think it would be right to leave the mat
ter without further investigation.
will place two of the police at your com
mand you can then 60 once more to the
hoycl, and search every part of it. You
may perhaps, make some important dis
covery."


He allowed but very few minutes to
elapse before he was on his way, accom-
panied by two officers. After knocking
at The door, and waiting for some time,
the old man opened the door. He re-
ceived them somewhat uncivilly, but
showed no mark Of suspicion when they
told him they wished to search the house


every well; as fast and as soon as you
please" was the reply.


''Have you well here?'


s.No sir we are obliged to get our
water from a spring about quarter Of a
mile distant


They searched the house, but found
nothing of any consequence. Mean
time the old man gazed upon them with
an impenetrable vacancy Of look, as il
he could not understand why they were
intruding on his property. Finally, they
forsook the cottage, without finding any
thing to corroberate their suspicious
They, however, resolved to inspect the
garden. By this time number of per
sons had collected together outside, hav-
ing been drawn to the spot by the sight
of stranger with.two policemen. They
were asked if they knew anything of a
well in those parts. They replied they
did not; the idea seemed toperplex them
At length an old woman came fuSth
leaning on a crutch.


| "a well?' said she. els it we'll you
are looking for? That has been gone
these thirty years. remember it as il
it were yesterday; how [ used to throw
stones in it, just to hear the splash in
the water"


"Do you remember where that well
used to be 2" asked the gentleman


''As near as [ can recollect, y replied
the woman, ''it is on the very spot where
you now stand.'


He suddenly started as he had trod-
den upon serpent. They at once com.
menced digging up the ground AT
about twenty inches deep, they came to
a layer of bricks, which being broken
up, revealed some rotten boards, These
were easily removed, when they beheld
the dark mouth of the we'll


Il wasquite certain that was the spot,
said the old woman. What fool you
were to stop it up and then have to
travel SO far for water!''


A sounding line, furnished with hooks,
was now let down into the well-the
crowd hard pressing around them breath
lessly bending over the black fetid hole,
the secrets of which seem hidden in i'm
| penetrable obscurity. This was repeat