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tiaturbap Clannbcr 241581.
SMIPTI3II IFIRCIEI.I
•
A TALE OF THE IRISH REBELLION.
Ey WILLIAM ti, MAXWKLL
What *ay' the marred women' You may go ;
Would she hod never given you lentre to come.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
In the spring of 1795, Stephen Purcell was en•
tered a.fellow-commoner in the Dublin university.
Tie was just eighteen—a fine strapping lad;
with
an athletic frade, a black eye, hair dark as ebony,
and a rich flush of health and vigor coloring
cheek as brown as a gypl's. He was then five
feet eleven inches " without his shoes ;" and his
foster-brether,. who accompanied him as. valet,
boaFter"ihat 'his master had an inch or two to,
grow before his height would be upon his. head !"
Purcell would have been popular in any college;
but Lit-was the man particularly adapted for that
d tioly and undivided Trinity." The heir
j resuinptive to a rich uncle, his allowance was
most liberal. ,Srlis rooms, on the first fltior of a best
building, were' comfortably furnished—his servants
wore handsome liveries—he kept two horses and
a buggy—and, after corn mone4 gave the best wine
Foci:rattle m the city of Dublin.
Thu; far circumstances; rather than character,
might have gone to secure Purcell the popularity
he enjoyed; but Stephen was calculated by na
ture to be distinguished. He was a spirited and'
generous youth, well tempered in his cups; and
in a row, which was then the common event of
ever} evening, he was brave as a lion ; and, as
his beiit roan, J a ck Dillon, added. " mighty handy
with fist rir cudgel." Purcell kicked football,
wrer-tleil pll , jumped the haha, anti hurled, as if
lie had been born soitth'of the Shannon. - No won.
iier if, in a Tear's residence, he became the pet' of
the University. He was even respected by•the re.
pti , l.cans, and tolerated by the few Rornarliets lie
knew, who, on divers oe - Cat , ions, from personal re
gard to the host, had actually submitteol to drink
- the glorious memory" in his apartments.
e '
In one thing Stephen Purcell wait remarkable.—
Ile was a zealot in politics, a devoted supppirer of
g and constitution, an. uncompromising orange•
taut, and the favorite leader of. all those who pro
fessed ultra loyalty.
The rebellion was ort the eve of breaking out,
and the classic courts of Alma Mater rather bo're
the appearance of a military post than the chosen
retreat of those gentle goddesses who are supposed .
.1 0 pre-tile over science and the belles letters.—
The college was in its zenith,—and for strength,
cress. arid discipline, held a proud place among the
r.urnernus arme .1 associations which the exigency
ul the' titneri thad called Into existence. In this
hotioratile body, exelusively composed 'of gentle
men. Purcell bore tiie rank of sergeant. The King
:,o doubt, possessed - many a More experienced de
fender of his crowu- and dignity; but a rnore- tle-
Tured soldier and servant than Stephen Purcell,
never wore ti shoulder-knot. •-.
fl.e times had become awfullj , interesting; the
:othylracy was matured, and the government were
prepared fnr an immediate explosion. It was as
cer.:7d that the arrival of a Celebrated leader 'in
t:te was mozently expected, and that
ever.! would be the sioral Mr' the insurgents io
il4e - antl tyke the held. Fresh proofs of imminent
treason .were Inintly discovered. It
Aas ,'k-elo-etl by a tieaeherous leadcr.of the reb-
t•\i. ore . , the fly far a simultaneous insurrection
:arngtiout the kirrodoin hail been appointed, and
:hat many In 'ern?' plans of private assassination
trm on the tapir. The mail conches svere to tie
vercepled al:er they hats quitted the metropolis,
11:,d non-ar.ival was to be a signal that the
4 had commenced, and that the remoter di{
shon!cl Like the fish!. in the city, the lairt-p
-!;lders Aere corrupted ; the public lamps were to
an ex;m2ulshrd by the 'traitors; and while univer
sal darkness overspread the streets, and favored
/ne plans of the insurgents, the rebel drum~ Were
') twat, and the yeomanry, as they hurtled to their
:.arm pz,sts, wet e to be cut, off in detail belt:ire they
c,ald unite tcnh their comrades. Added to these
epo.'s the fregoeut discovery of pikes and fire
arms proved that a deadly preparation was going
;itwaid ; and the bun of each, succeeding day was
lo tine upon a scene 011 slaughter,
_ .
When the drgaffecteti- impatiently awaited the
arrival of the chitl_perispirmor in the city, the go
ernment were employing every piassible means to
ul , corer Ins retreat. In vain every-engine in their
rower was set to work ; public researchie and sef.
cret I.ropwions failed; and a reward of One . tliett
band pounds wiikasisurances of unbolanded patio:
nage, were offered to the fortunate person who
lipoid denounce and apprehend the 'celebrated,
Lord Fitrzerald.
Tne unfortunate nobleman werhave named was
a descendant of the Geraldine's, and uncle - to the
present Duke of Leinster'. From .
tax with distinguished reputation or the British
a rms, he became a dangerons and.• deadly enemy
''the stare. It was said that he was a disappoin
ted man—a professional slight bad irritated Isltn
'garnet the government beyend. the - possibilitY Pf
being propitiated ; another officer had been pre-'
12"'l for Promotion to himself; he tell theiefilee 1 ,
divust, repaired to the French
_caplial,Where a
dose intimacy with the leading. Jacoblnsi and - a
Marriage with the daughter of - the Dote Of Chiming
confirmed his bad feelings toMardstlfe".F.Oglishto='
'mut:tent, and his dislifroa to _mortat4Y, fa , anY
f t 4 na• His talents were considerable; his - popular.:
iIY unbounded. The dignity of his hirth'iliplueit
to a ;,„, t
reputation for military,lskill;iiiitletbitoo
idol with the republicaps,-whe ',lid unanimously
a Ppointed him their leader, and `onittvaited- his
a ppearance in ppearance in the etropolii,".tri direct . the explo
i
OLI of that extensive Conipiracy.Wll4.l . ..Was to
recant the leading eider of things' ."
ladced, the 'city or'Dublin'
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,choly spectacle .-of fear and. preparation. • Had .it
been blockaded by a hostile force there could not
have been more ankfous'aPprehension'discernibie
in the capital than 'it everywhere presented. The
entrances from the suburbs were 'barricaded, and
night and day jealonsly 'guarded ; the bad
their - respective pickets ; the 'pickets were regula:.
ly patrolled, and the doors of every house 'bore the
names of the inliabihuits on ai placard ; arrests of
a vapected pete - m:4 occurred hotirty ; a discovery of
0 .- tweeted 'vreapensr became 'fi:equent . ; rumors of
an intended descent from FianCe added to the
public alarm, while assassination on one side, and .
military executions cm the other, rendered
. the
retool slate of the Irish capital. frightful and per-
,ItWas,late in the evening of the Ist of March
that Stephen Purcell, who had dined in Merrion
Square,' was returning to his chambers in the uni
versity. The peril of the times had superseded
much. of that attention usually paid to dress; and
the costumeof the young'collegian, although sever
ral tilled personages had been guests at the table
where We dined, was the simple uniform of a non
commissioned officer. But_the three chevrons on
his arm which denoted his subordinate degree of
rank, were clear to the youth, and regarded by him
With as mach pride as if they had been the aiguil
lenes of a stall office,. fills - uniform made to fit
his shape with studied accura ; cy, ,, displayed a form
moulded for activity and enddrance. His 'light-in
fantry wings rested on a pair of broad and muEce•
tar shoulders • the sash bound (waist which re
quired no assistance to compress it; a bayonet was
suspended in his belt, and reckless of danger, con
fident in youthful strength, and a bold _heart, lie
saunterer( leisurely down Grafton street humming
an orange ditty as he passed along.'
It was a calm and lovely night. The drams had
beat the-tattoo, and the hour Was past when any
but the military and police were permitted to re
main in the streets. A "proclamation had been is
sued by the chief magistrate of the city, caution
ing the citizens to keep within their houses after a
stated hour, that the troops might be unimpeded in
t
their operations, in the event of the expected in
surrection weaning during the night. These or
ders wore directed to be rigidly entorced; and un
provided with the password and countersign, few
would venture to traverse through the streets after
the evening drum had beaten.
The gallant sergeant had passed the provost's
house, when a short distance from him, a woman%
scream was heard. Thinking that the cry was
from one of those wretched outcasts whose drun
ken quarrels so frequently disturbed the town, it
passed unnoticed; but again the scream was re
peated, and Purcell hurried to the centre of the
street, before the college gate ; where a woman
straggled in the grasp of several watchmen, uho
insisted on removing her to their guard house—
The fellows who had the female were intoxicated;
and the your.;.; collegian week! have avoided what
appeared a common street brawl, had not the torte
of the female voice, and the language uttered in
her alarm ; appeared at valiance with her appear
ance, as well as inconsisteut with her being, at this
late and' unsafe hour, a wanderer in the public
streets.
" For the sake 01 Heaven let me pass! You
mistake me—indeed you you injure an
unprotected woman
" How tinder she is, Barney ! grab the bundle;
we'll try if there's any thing under the cloak ;" and
as he spoke he laid hold of a small parcel, winch
die pri-over appeared most anAlovis to retain.
• " Hold !" said Purcell. r What is the matter?
Who is this you have stopped'?"
"Who the devil are you?" was the, reply.—
'-Come, pump it, y"ur n man, or by the crass•af
Clotst, well stick-ye in the crib along side wid the
.
tmithgr intimidated by threats or nopthers,
Ihta student thrtiw the fellow wide,, while the poor
eprat'ig forward. and clitt:zing wildly to ti is arm.
exclairned—t' stranger, God ble,a you t Will.you
gave me from theaneavage men 1. : Can you—wnl
) oil protein me 1"
There was no time allowed for reply; ihriwatch.
men, Who were nun:el-Otis, hemmed in 11141oLtary
stranger, who seemed, on his pa-. 1, determined on
fierce re;;istance,- es he dreW his liayorn:;l, 'and with
a deep, imprecation warned them is keep ufl. At
the moment two men in Uniform came' up; and , 1
one of them exclaimed in mock heroics, " My,
comrade's voice! .1 can prbiect thee still-!"..un
sheathed his weapon, and-callinger. hiscompanion •
to draw, sprang in the crown, and ranged
. himself
beside AIM protector of the alarmed female. "Ste
phen, I knew-thy voice," continued- the. new ally
"How now?' Whose mare‘ 'dead ?—what r a the
matter?" '
• • "Thu matter, a pirriple cause Of
. quarrel enough
•Lwatchniermunle .woman." : Without stopping to
t. corn preheriff any- thing .further, the friend of Ptir;
cell, vatiisti brain appeared VronderfullY Confused
with @balctiSpeare And attack punch, called to his
companion=" Out with -thy .vapierf boy; stay,
varlets! t Draw Hardolph, cat Me Offthe• villain',
head; - ,,throvilbe . qn.een in, the ehannel."- . •
"Stop, Jack, letlievoid . a row if .possible,'. rand
the guardians- of the night having , :fallen, back,
seemed. tar from -anxious .to commencejtostilitierx -
"- Whci is the gentle Desilettonaln-ttficeup)':-..,
"IS she a Spirit of
,heildi, or goblin , dainned 1,''.7...
" I be her pardon, .be her intents wicked r char.:
t i,4,
~.itable—lor,br the by, Stephen, we candor
. - too
:particular, i11iii , ',66p).%• Let!s" - niertianlll.44alind
r lff' .
tile .; ,4iinr4 roam.,
.Tie4op is - ' abroad in lioisiy-..
vrnolsey, and treachery meets you.(hiccup)entler
•thd corer 03 sienlimenco . 'panknniti n =(laccup): •
. i . 4 4j1iir . 1 - ;::ll4l'":ll:p.',liiii.araed.. thit,„firo ipii#ei„;,
f4What a paware : weltokcpmet to !kites this pour.
girl tudobble.barrelled blunderbusit in' her pocketi
with `a plait tb - larpristfihr:ceStleiolhiiinipefeaSOri l
' ' 0: jit ' * 6 Ouiti*iiil *9 l 8 444 1 0.40 k li , -14MileP e *
; Mrith. he r apart)! .- ‘i L.: ... 1 ---;., `, J .:,, • .-:,' l',•'-
; "Shalt! Sic Pandarinis of Igeo ' ilie, '-1 .1 .
' -:' 'l -, ..;:;#o,kbY llVliila.wapy !Wail! ~3 .';- -. 4?:--_ , . '‘i., , • ,
eiciaiongd iliittentiotst lot' oelititrik inek D iddle - .
. . ,
MEE
PirDIASIIED EVERY SATURDAY AT TOWANDA; BRADFORD COUNTY, PA., BY E. O'MEARA GOODRIbIL
DESAEDLE§S .OF DENUNCIATION FROM ANY QUlE*.i.t4
•
ton bore. c 4 But (Incoup) thou art mine ancient, I
mean Sffitgeent,.(hicettp)—and I obey thee."
tg Will you protect tnei" said the poor girl, in
tones of agetiiiittitliitreal. " i t Oh ! yes, yes ; you
w ill—you tan."
The Jeep pathos her voice, and her evident
agitation * assureff.Purcell, that the young woman
was very different-from -that which the late hour and
strange•circumstances of their meeting hid firstled•
him to imagine...
They hail nowlemoted.some distance from the
watchmen; who still lingered near the place,.as if
irresolute as to what Wore course of proceeding
they should adopt.' The young protecia? addressed
his companion—A , Lady, what tempted you to ven
ture through the city at this dangerous and unsea
sonable hour of the night? • Surely the business .
must have been urgent. Speak fearlessly, our con
ference is on honor ;, speak—was it love? I can
not believe Jack Middleton's suspicions, that your
wild excursion has treason for its object."
" Neither suspicion is, true, stranger. I rest my
hopes on you ; you must, for you can, save rue.—
Your influence over these tearful men was para.
mount, arid the others obey you as a leader; your
acts and words are those of a high-minded and
honorable soldier. Look at me beneath yon lamp,
and say whether my appearance warrants the im
putations of the savage persons from whom you
have delivered me. I have been imprudent—mad
—but, God knows, I am not the guilty thing they
have insinuated !"
Stephen Purcell's curiosity was excited; they
'approached the light, and throwing aside the coarse
grey cloak which connected her person, features ot
a striking beauty, and a figure of sylph-like ele
gance, were presented to his view. The dress be.
neath the homely disguise the had assumed, was
both rick rnd fashionable,- and Purcell was dm
„roughly persuaded that she *as far more removed
from that class of life anal society which the ex
traon'inary time and place of their meeting had
originally led him to infer.
You say truly, lady; I can liberate you from
your present danger, certainly ; but I free you from
One difficulty only to expose you to - others equally
imminent—that is, unless your home be in the im
mediate vicinity of this place. If l ventured to a
distance, I should: be detained by the guards and
pickets, who suffer none to pass their posts without
the countersign:”
"Then I am lost, indeed !" she murmured iq a
voice of hopele:‘s anguish. "My lithrie is in tire
mole. part of the city. Oh, stranger, can you not
save?—can you not protect me? What would bribe
you? Your dress and manners make a pecuniary
offer an insult ; yet what can secure your protec
tion?"
Stephen Purcell was but twenty. He was alone
with a woman, young, beautiful, and perfectly in
his poll er, and was commencing that jargon of love
which men will sometimes use, u hen an appeal
from his lovely suppliant arrested it.
'"Stranger, I am ar your mercy, I cast myself
on you. For protectioni• Save me from insult by
others, and spare me from it in yourself."
Purcell hesitated. Again he led her to the light
—again he removed the hood which concealed her
features, and gazed upon her beautiful counte
nance; her bright blue eyes zero filled with tears,
her bps trembled with apprehension ; and terror,
far frornilimming her surpassing beauty, had made
her loveliness more exquisite and irresistible. She
did not oppose his serntiny. The effect upon him '
arid Ids course of conduct, was immediate; he re.
placed the cloak and hood respectfully. " How
bi2.autili!" he murmured. r'Ltdy, fear nothing ;
with my' life I will guarantee your safety." Then
calling to his companion, who was 'standing at
sorne distance, he whispered to him far an instant,
and left the unknown female in I.ds cirstoily.
This movement was far from sa!islactory to the
lady; she world haverfellowed him, had not the
gallant eorparal . perem - ptmily, but gently opposed
it. Although tolerably drunk, he was. perfectly
tiliv.e to the clia7ge he had undertaken re being her
protector. " Cheer op !" he muttered., while a
frequent hiccup impeded:his speech deplorably.—
"'Feat nothing, Duleinca del Tobosol Courage,
most incomparable princess!—thou lady of the
bleeding heart! Jack Middleton, art unworthy
corporal of the third company, ir " your Own Wm..
thy knight, by day or night, or any •iight," us the
bard of Avon has it. Stephen Purcell is thy blag,-
nua Apollo, and Stephen Purcell is my approved
friend—ergo, anti, moon. or star, shall not gut a
glimpse of thy charms till Stephan° returns. Ile'e,
as true game as Etter man relied upon. On Sun
day fortnight I was caught alone by half a score of
cuckoldy citizens, who had just been latopped
within an inch of their lives, by a few of our lads
who were on the ramble. = Gad they twigged me,
and had commenced prompt payment ) for,past ci
vilities, upon my poor careass, when'. honest . Ste
phen flew to ray. relief, and bUstrode me like. a
Colossus; and..tbere I lay, , safe on my mother
earth, till the boys, camp to the r escue. Parcell's
skull was -laid open by a paving -stone, and from
heel tohead he was as black as your own eyet;--i
Keep off!" he exclaimed, fiercely, tea watchman
who.hadappreached 'than Middleton con,
sidered,Prudent.' .. " - geep . off' or, by the foot Of .
Pharebni, l'ifput' !mit' Irichei tit as bright steel in
your breadbasket as ever 'Caine from a cutler's;''
and iifirmash of his . naked weacon in the twilifiht
proved thet - in act and w,ord , be - wai equally deCi
sive.
,After a, painful abSence.of some minutes Pure.
cell returned. •He removed the grey mantle from •
the shoulders °Lb's-lair :ptategt ? :und replaoeil it
.
with a light militsrj + cloak ;, flies
Wrod fOr hi.gase.thosu:diro;,
Carded . articles of:dress , into ,, the , chstge of Jack
• Middlettin„tvhorwitfila long extract from
hue, took his leave . intdlol theta . tristither.
we are Shall I conduct ;
you 1 have sot tbe,necessakt pea, and: counter.
: A
11
7"7, ,
=MUEIIKAMII
I=
" I live near Tho'mas street. Will yout.trassword
bring ue thither'!"
We'lf try it;' and he continued with s smite:
"The 'reputation of the Liberty it eny thing but
complimentary to its loyalty/ On any other night
I could stave conducted you without delay to your
destination, fur I am tolerably well knOwn to the
police and military but the inlormation this eve
ning, is such as called for double vigtlance ; .and no
one, whether he te in uniform or not, will be per
mined to keep the streets without the countersign.
You of course, lady, are unacquainted with. the
cause of these additional precautions. It is known
that the arch-traitor, Lord Edward, is actually with
in the city. One'thoishnd [Mends are ore his head,
and every effort of the government is strained to
insure his arrest. By heaveni I will give the re
ward, and this left arm from the shoulder, to him
who will bring me vis-a-vis to this rebel peer!"—
and the deep drawing of his 'breath showed how
despera'e was his hoStility, towards the devoted no
bleman.
"Do you know hiS Lordship personally ?" said
the ternale, iii a timid voice, as they passed the
equestrian statue of the, third William, which
stands in College Green. V
"No, I: never savridm; but I have every mark
of his person so deeply registered in my memory,
that if 1 met him in Kainschatka I could-Challenge
the traitor, and tax him with his double perfidy, as
a soldier and a subject."
While be spoke, the fierce and vindictive feeling
which blazed forth, alarmed his companion, who
trembled as she clang to him for protection. He
remarked it, and continued- 7 " Fear nothing my
fair irieud. I treat his presence in the city will but
hurry on events. Let the traitors rise—we shall
crush,them ! If they hesitate, ere a week passes,
meir leader's head shall top , some pinnacle, and
lesser villains in hundreds shall dangle from the
lamp-posts."
The female. shuddered. " Who goes there?"
cried a sentinel in advance of the Castle-gate. " A
friend," was the reply. " Advance, friend, and
give the countersign.
Purcell dropped the lady's arm for an instant,
and communicated with the sentinel in a whisper.
" Pass on," said the soldier ; " all's well " In the
middle of High street a cavahy patrol approached
them. The officer rode out and challenged them.
" Halt, who goes there?" Purcell lett the flags
and conversed in an under tone with the dragoon.
"Good night !" he said; I you dine with us on
Friday, Stephen—forward !"and the party rode off.
They crossed the corn-market, and after repeated
interruptions from the enemies, at length reached
Thomas street in safety.
1, We part, my kind and generous protector; how
shall I prove my gratitude'!"
" LAR me eolith:let you honie."
" I Mpot.sible r'
"Tell me, then, your name, and your residence,
and sutler me to enquire for you in the morning."
! I cannot. I have not the power; and
believe me, the knowledge would not serve you."
1 . Let the proof be with me," said the youth,
passionately.
"It cannot be," she answered, with some emu=
tion. "In better times we ,may renew our ac•.
quamtance; but now, fortune end circumstances
beyond control alike forbid it. Give me- your ad
dress; the name of my prelerver shall never fade
from the recollection of her whO to bound for life
to bless him."
Purcell q,ave hi card
" And now," &rationed IbOnainown, "as there
is danger in even a momentary delay, ask me for
any proof of my gratitude, and it shall be freely,
heartily given."
g: It is hard, lady, td part with you thus," said the
student, n ith considerable 'warmth; but I sub•
mit. Let me condaet you, for your own safety's
sake, to your home, and 1 shall not, unauthorised!) ,
repeat my visit."
" No, no, no; I am on the very point of leaving
ou "
Then be it so, lady I shall not urge my re•
quest. I have been serviceable to you, but I shill
not be importunate. Farewell ! one kiss, and pro
bably we part forever !"-
As he spoke he passed hi4;arm around the waist
of the unknown female; but, starting from 'hire,
sho exclaimed, "Ask it not," and pressed. a ring
upon his finger, • , •
The student drew himself iip'to his frill height;
and carelessly returning the gem, while he coldly
remarked,- 0 ° You_ mistake , me, lady; lam no
mercenary. lieep , your ring; farewell I God bless
you l" I •
The unknown one [mead' she seemed tots Ir•
resnlwe. Nest moment, in tone bull reproachful
and half jesting, she added,— •
" Foolish boy ! Must you then have, a choice ?
Be it so; the kiss or the ring is yours; _but be ad
vised, and chooie the'latterA
Forgive Ma, lady, if 'reject . your counsel
and, placing the . 'ring - gently in her hand, he tiara his
lipelo hers, which wero auk withdrawn horn his
1321 M
i , Are you in perf "ee't security 1 •Do 'net dismiss
your guard rtuddy.", ~, , ',, ' •
, g tam now' in pirfcci safely i', for my sake, keep
this ring; but as•vou value rr i ter, - -folkna me :Mg.—
Assuredly we shall-meet aga, Iv end . i" !nay y.t ten- .
der good servidataritte 404, owe youP -
She, said, and spr_anglimu I bis side into. -a deep
and covered alley; ' No lamp was thereto light it;
and dark and narrow as it was, in' a moment , no
trace of . his ecitnianienWai:veribte r '.V,a6ejtym:get,
ed fora. time, about the Plice.i He cujuetally absevr4
ed the opening.ot the alley, and having• noted:the ,
natirberiotthe .honses , al either
,trititi'nettnieed,
hal'Plniv44 I vo?tdr,t,,Ti* o 1 ) ?I ' g ain ;p - ar
with ibis resolve,,hayslowirrqUaciti JO& slePe-to•
wardalhe university:,, , ...... - . i ,-,... ." .., -,„,-(•..
' Wheibeveached,hisehatiibers, bie salient was'
gsme tokbel, and the tire:e4yegnalrtl. ,g, et
,stteek
a light,l and `togeto ligni,, - *44oitiA otii:
eitliiiarY billitity'etiliiittig'iiiiiai flits, nitiik'''oiCti '
, •
0
hid placed upon hii finger. It was, a .brilliant of
large size and exquisite lustre. From it his eye
turned to the bonnet and cloak, which Jack Mid
dleton had left upon, the table. Tlikene was coarse
and considerably worn ; the other nrcommon ma
terials and vulgar. fashion. How inexplicable Mitt
value of the gem so much at variance with the
coarseness of the dress. A strange mystery involv
ed this unknown female. Stephen mentally retrac
ed the night's adventure from' its commencement
to its close; summed it all up in one deep sigh, nu.
dressed, went to bed, was restless, and dreamed of
diamond rings, straw bunnets, and the incognita of
Thomas street.
Ha slept longer than usual ; end when his tier;
vent' awoke. bim, Its produced i sealed parcel,
which had been left early that Morning in the rooms .
by a porter. He found his cloak and foraging eap,
neatly fdltled up ; and a little billet in beautiful Ital
ian cheincters, returning him thanks) for his protec-
lion on the- preceding night, and expressing a hope
that he had found no difficulty in getting home, as
the streets had been unusually disturbed. The nrue"
was written on - embossed paper ; the linguage, the
folding, the seal, were all expresetve . of good taste
and elegance ;* but the billet bore neither address
nor signature. His eager enquiries Were unattend
with'any information. The old College•women
knew nothing, but that 1, she bad received from a
pan, who delivered it and went away. She asked
no questions ; why should 'he she had other
things to mind, God help her !” &c.
Purcell bad indulged in the hope that the return
of his cloak might lead him to some knowledge-ot
the fair one who had worn it the -preceding night ;
but now, that chance of discovering her had laded_
He sat down, professedly to breakfast, but soon lost
himself in reverie over the lea-cup. Jitter an hour's
rumination, he sprang up, fidgeted abtiut the room,
took a hair a round of the park, came back, dress
ed, ordered his horse, and rode oil towards the Lib
erty.
No one knew the sf of better than Stephen Purcell;
there was not a division of the town which had not
been tbe•s!ene of 801118 old adventure or wild ex
ploit. For two long hours he traversed every street
adjacent to the place where the fair one vanished
He pushed through courts and alleys, where a
horseman had seldom ventured, discovered lanes
only known to• washerwomen, back passages to
breweries, tan yards, dyeing-houses, and the end
less variety of appurtenances belonging. to the busy
multitude who inhabit that mixed abode of penury'
and opulence ; and, alter a tiresome research, re
turned, " a sadder," but not " a wiser man."
Evening came. For a wonder, the student was
albite ; and seated at it.window which ovedooked
the college park, he drank his wine in unsocial
solitude. The daily papers were on the table, but
their alkrming columns weie.disregariled, and one
lair object excluded all other thoughts. After ma.
ture deliberation, Stephen at last concluded that he
was in love ! and what the devil else could ail
him 1 He kissed the ring, re-read the billet, ex
amined the bonnet ; and, for the first time, detected
the name of " Ann Brady," badly written in thi
Had he now discovered the unknown one? " Ann
Brady ri Pshaw ! the letters were like hedge
stakes ; and could that beautiful hind, which he
had pressed last night at parting; indite villainous
characters like those No, no ; she was as much
Ann Brady as he was Prester John ! He sprang
from the table in a frenzy, strode for five minutes
up and down the room, and, unable to control his
impatience, determined once more to visit the place
where, under such. mysterious circumstances, lie
had lest sight of his handsome incognita.
As a preparatory step, Purcell laid aside his uni
form, and assumed the jacket, trowsers, and straw
hat, of a sailor. Doubtless.he• chose am Itabili
ments for disguise ; but nevertheless be seleett;il
most becoming one. No dress &butts a welfrrnade
man to moreadvantage. Stephen had probably as
certained the fact ; and, in his frequent rambles, he
adopted this as a favorite costume. 'Perilous as the
times were, he carried no. secret weapon on his
person ; a well-tried blaok-thoin, a .vigorous arm,
and a stout heart, were his protectors ; all else he
left to fortune, and having obtained - the pass word
for the night, be bent his course towards the. Lab
,
erty. •
It was now dark and the night threatened to he
inclement ; the wind was rising, th dust whirled
round in eddies, presently.large droPs of rain tell,
and the appearance of 'a corning sinne increased.
Parcel! Walked•quiekly forwent: The siga•lioards
creaked, the windows tattled, ;; the seunica kept
within their hoses, the lamps gave an .unsteady and
flickering light ; and when the young college:man
recoiled the alley in Thomas street, the rain fell iu
torrents, and the storm taged..violently.
The entrance of the alley-was'cofeted overrend
there the student -paused.to consider•whalcoMse he
shank! pursue.- The severity oldie:night, and the
peril of the timesi had clearmkthe streets of passel).
gers, and no one was abroad but the piCkeks.; No
hour could be more favorable 40 examine the,place
without observation ; and Stephen PuMeltwent care.
fully on. - `, t
The - alloy wa ettiernety narrow spipewietcb.
ea houses rose at either.side, Rod qieir ithoous
terior, anti the poletrand cord, suspended from the
upper viindairrit foidyinglinen, - shinied that Their
occupants - were: ,of the meanest ardor: ol ' the corn
mouity. At :the bottom . of there ,Was . n
wall of. extraordinary beighl;,Wilit rinalOvinket-:
door. Judging tram appt3suances r the space iithin
was- a garden; for the' tops; of trees, mere .vi.ii,der;
a bruit plate was on the door ; • botilhe dim , light
prevented him tram-reading 'The ' name engraved
A paling% tooning-parailel:Nith {hit! rail extend-,
Oa to the lett, ittad in- that; directiori .se.votal. largo,
sited wind lcifftikuinteijstase above the othei kill&
inii!;:}tc'in'tkOP app e a a n te s P u r ce llo9 . 4nlinled
* at , ,im"kenftive,breKen').ol' sem* such
COotignOntlT • •
• apt` - ra.t . vortasheil card," from- the
'• '" ti card,"
• • ;
,_
=MEM
house-topsiand the win' curie roaring in hollow
gusts ibrcitgh the contined passe2es, there reigned
around .8 dea h-like tontliiess.. 'I he public lumps
had not then been extended as far as this remote`
and cheerless diettiet ; aAlitary. light emitted' its
feeble rays at a consideL2fre distance, and, direct
ed byitS irregular 'flash*, which scarcely pierced
the dense atmosphere; the collegian apptoisched
the spot from which its intermitting sparkle came.
He reached, with some dill culty r a lone and ru
inous dwelling. The ti;;ht which gooleil him shone
through the crevices of the wwduw-altuuers•; anal
Purcell ascertained that the house was tavern of
the lowest kind ; or ; as was more probable from ins
loneiiness, a dash receptacle tor vagabonds and sto
len propery. Here, however, he might glean some
information ; the severity of the night made a• , y
shelter desirable ; and, after a mumentra irresolu
tion, lie struck the door, and boldly demanded ad
mittance. •
Ilia knock nes •thrice repeated before any one
noticed it from within. At last a coarse voice di
inanded lira name and business. "He was a attar -
ger, and wanted soma -refreshment." After march
whispering, and a considerable delay, the door was
cautiously opened.
Nothing could be more wretched than the interi=
or of the mansion. A oily counter was covered
with pewter measures and foul dram glasses ; and
the atrocious smells,• combined with spilt liquors
and the smoke of bad tobacco, were overwhelming
to any organs but those of the night-birds who in
fested this infernal tabard. Purcell. was conducted
by the host into an inner apartment, where, in a
boxed recess, sat lour men ul very villainous pres
ence.
:?,
•
' T
7 w"
El
=1
Vold and reckless as the student was, be would
have retreated had escape been practicable ; but
the outer door had bean jealously defied the very
moment that ho passed it. No choice remained,
but to wait patiently for a favorable opportunity to
retire . The hest, in any if lug bt.t an eneormaging
tone, demanded what he would please to drink,
and the college:man, assuming aS much- ixtdifler,
er:ce as he could, in a rough voice asked for a poi
of porter. aq
Every eye was bent upon the stranger by the tuf
fian group in the remote box ; and their Conversa
tion was i and confined to cant and whis
pers. The pseudo-sailor, to all appiaranee, discus
sed hi. porter, at his ease ; but he wait very far, tram
being COmforthble ; and as he stole is side-glance
at his companions in the corner, he clenched his
black-thorn stick beneath the table, and collected
his suengili and courage for the struggle which he
concluded would be inevitable. Meantime two of
the party left the. room ; not, however, without be
stowing,. as. they passed, a Most ominous side
glance on the unsuspecting sailor—as he 'merited
to be. They whispered earnestly for a lew min
utes with the landlotd, then leaving the house, the
door was carefully locked after they departed.
Purcell alter some litt:e delay, resolved to ewer
tain whether he would be permitted to leave the
house without opposition. Ild .suspected that he
should be waylaid by the villains %rho had left the
room ; but they were but two, and, without, he
thought his chances of escape were better than if
he waited an at ack within. Purcell in resolve and
action was equally promrh•; staring the pewter
measure, whose contents were but lightly dimin
ished, he struck upon the table, demanded what-the
reckochg writ and flung a shilling to the host.• The
landlord lifted the silver and with a meaning look
observed, as he handed the change, 'that ' 1 porter
had Lot one price—he was in an honest house—
did he mean any oflem ?"
Purcell easily perceived his object, but determir
ed to leave him no excuse to commence a quarrel.
He suited iris answer accordin!y, atbdrising from
the table made a step or two towards the door ; but
the Luring d manitested decided reloctance to lore
hi:, guest. What hurry war lein ? Tie kno 1-
eddoud enoug'i to get ir ; nobody wanted him . ; if
proi;lti had pains, people slrtuld have profi'. Wes
he to be disturbed f.ar a shabby pint of porter :
Rut
ho. The nighttoo, .wac as bad as ever ; the rain
was falling in buckets Mil, and there was a fresh
hand at the bellows," as he expressed the increas
ing storm, which came moaning thrbugh the brok
en vrindowg and shattered doors.
The student had' anticipated the result, and deter-
Mined to force an egress before the return ol the ab
sent ruffians, whom be naturally suspected to hare
loft the house on no ooh errand. The fellows in
ate corner eroso while the landlord was speaking ;
but at the instant a,knock was heard at the door,
followed by a low and pectiliar whisae. "All's
boya," , sa4 the Lost to the " rofEan twain fo.
and leaving the room, Purcell. heard the front doer
open.
"Now or never;'' the student muiteredbe tween
his teeth, endapringinglrao the tap-tooth, attempt
ed loyuchinto the feat'. T _ rte landlord immediate-,
:ly threw hintsell7 across, but, with his left heed
- - ,,PuNelllttickked.hirn down, and unh'un b 3 n blow
tFittia. bludgeon. by a ruiltin weh
out be leaped over the prostrate Lust and followed
by. the retheindel of thisvit%. flea towards the nal.
rowailny,v,rhich.flad couJueted to this villein
ouallen "i . • . . •
01 eFeape le had now had liule ilontit . : the.first
movement was thepatilau. part of the attempt,and
it had auOceeiled..- Oucwiti the narrow alley, he
inighvbid:tlefiance to hitilearsuers; and if he gain.
ed Thomasatteet, he ali - Ould , be wi.ion call of the
picket;.. One of the patty gained upon lino : Pur
cell allowed Liu villain Lumina
tip, then' turning with = ainuting tpocl.nea, felled
'hint to the earth; and iiniaing toward wuh iiirteal.
:et) aptetl, left his puieneis eaxity. Hid escape was
'gallantly Managed ; die alley was beside him.
p l bianflis'bold nilventure e he sprang into-the
'entiiiiinecand faith& himself lit then gidelief
FavYeinl tnehr`WhO iliearrned him in a 'twinkling
'.bound' armiwith and - lihreYeal
tiatidkerchiet, apt] 4in a "determined - Whigitt to d
-
'hita hiutc:raiti,itp
. - t&NeLettri se.x.f titts.l '
•-••
,
iaa