Page:The amorous intrigues and adventures of Aaron Burr.pdf/49

 along on all fours till he came to the door, when he snatched his clothes, and ran down the stairs.

But the husband, who had his suspicions, had thrown open the shutters—which were on the inside of the window—and saw Burr, by the bright moonlight, as he seized his wardrobe, and vanished out of the door. Accordingly he immediately gave chase; and the doctor was rather a dangerous customer, as he always traveled with pistols, and had a pair in his pockets, loaded and primed at that time.

Burr reached the hall door before the doctor had arrived at the landing of the stairs, and hastily turning the key, was about to dart down the steps, when he perceived two or three men passing near the house.

He at once perceived that a man flying in his shirt, from the house, pursued by the doctor, would compromise the reputation of Mrs. W—; and drawing back, he slammed the door violently, and turned aside into the front parlor, the door of which stood ajar.

The doctor flew down the stairs, and having heard the street door open and shut, supposed the intruder had gone out that way. He ran into the street, and hearing foot steps near the corner, drew out a pistol, and rushed up to the gentleman whom he found there.

The individual thus assailed had stopped behind some large sugar-boxes in obedience to a call of nature, and was "in the full tide of successful experiment," when the doctor seized him by the collar, dragged him out, roaring:

"Don't try to hide yourself there, you infernal scoundrel?"

"Why—why—what is the matter?" asked the other, trembling in every joint; and then seeing the pistol in the hand of the other, he bawled aloud: "Watch! watch! help! robber! robber! robber!"

Fortunately a watchman was close at hand, who came immediately up, and seized the doctor by the arm.

"How! Doctor W—!" said the officer; "what is the matter, sir?"

"This fellow, here," cried the doctor, vehemently, and shaking his victim at the same time—"I just caught in bed with my wife—"

"No, no, doctor! Impossible!"

"But I tell you that it is possible. Didn't I see him run out of the room with my own eyes. You see that he has not yet had time to button up his clothes, which he snatched from a chair as he ran out of the chamber," cried the doctor, pointing to the man's flap, which still hung down.

"No—but, Doctor W—, this gentleman is well known to me. He is the Rev. Mr. P—, of Concord."

The doctor let go of the stranger, and stared with all his eyes.

"Well, I believe you are right," said he "but where then is the man who has done this thing. He came out of the front door—"