l05 



A PAGE 



tROU 



THE HISTORY OF tHE SUBTERRANEAN RECESSEdv 



The hour of midnight hai struck, when a young man was ohserved 

 descending an immense flight of steps, which led to a door overhung 

 by a small lamp, which enabled him to read — and, his heart beat 

 high as he deciphered the characters — ** Subterranean Recesses." 

 Before he took up the hammer, which lay at the foot of the door for 

 the purpose of knocking for admission, he paused, and thought — Am 

 I willing to submit to the rules of this place ? — can I forego the 

 society of all whom I bave hitherto known ? — can I find anything 

 congenial to my soul among the stern spirits that dwell here ? A 

 recollection, however, that the first quarter after twelve was alone 

 allotted for admittance, put an end to his hesitation. Lifting and 

 applying the hammer, three heavy knocks resounded on the massive 

 door; after wailing a few minutes, he imagined he heard footsteps—^ 

 6tep after step, gi'adually increasing in loudness, apprised him of the 

 approach of one of the inmates. " Follow me," was the laconic 

 reply of the individual \^ho opened the door to the statement which 

 the young man had made. Turning round, he watched the operation 

 of rebarring the door, when he became fully alive to the ciicum- 

 stances in which he had placed himself in seeking admission to this 

 mysterious abode. Like lightning the thought struck him — What 

 have I done !— what madness has possessed me I And have I really 

 Bhut myself out from the hght of the sun, and all that it shines upon, 

 for at least twenty years ! O madness ! " What !" he exclaimed 

 aloud ; and before he could finish the sentence, fell heavily on the 

 <lamp pavement in a fddnting fit. 



