The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1826-01-28

window, With Its shattered paneS, served for an
entrance, and the Tapping of their wings pro-
duced such a noise as gave but melancholy
presage ofwhat their sleep might be. The land
lord, with fiend-like smile of satisfaction, babe
them good night, and fastened to make pre-
parations for other guests They heard ire
mendous door pulled to after him, and with
horror bar thrust in on the other side to secure
it. Various were the conjectures they formed
upon their treatment. A thousand different ex-
plantations were presented to their imaginations;
they fancied their host midnight robber, who,
after plundering them of what they possessed,
would complete the treachery with the assas-
SINS knife. In the midst of their nominations,
a noise and hustle were heard below, which,
from what EXPLANATIONS they could over
hear, they ascertained to be caused by the ar
rival Of the expected gentleman and his suite
What was his object in moving about at this
perilous period, am unable to tell-All know
of it, is that he was gentleman of large for
tune, travelling with his only child, and a few
domestics, one of whom was despatched before
him to secure quarters at the inn. His arrival
certainly caused great noise at the place; the
landlady Immediately caused the whole stock Of
servants, which, by the bye, was not very
great, to be put in requisition, and the landlord
himself sailed forth with his most obsequious
air, to receive the stranger, and welcome him
to the tavern.
The daughter of this old gentleman was one
whom we might term without exaggeration a
perfect beauty, her features were nicely mould
ed by the hand of nature, and her glossy ring
lets fell gracefully DER her ivory neck; yet
these were not her greatest boasts there was
something in her eyes of more than mortal beau
ty; the purity of her imagination beamed
from those orbs with celestial brightness she
was model so exquisite, that even the charms
of Venus Hebe could add nothing The
landlady viewed with establishment and admira-
ton her matchless guest But being desired
by the old gentleman to leave them alone while
they sat at supper, she withdrew. The mind Of
the young maiden appeared to be absorbed in
distressing contempations she labored under
great anxiety for herself and parent, to whom
she mentioned her fears, and enlarged on the APP
parent danger of their situation, and the appear
ance of the house. "Pshaw, Maria,' said he,
''no one would be fool enough to attempt inju-
ry upon person prepared and armed like my
self; and if they were SO hardy, what but GER
tain punishment would be their lot?'' sc Yes"
replied she, "if we were overpow ered, could
our bodies rise up to accuse the murderer Pr
''Silence, girl he interrupted, Sc let me hear
no more" Maria hid her face in her bosom
with painful sensations, for she knew her ia
ther loved her too well to speak so harshly I'M
less actuated by some powerful motives. To ex-
plain these she readily referred to her own feel
ngs and indeed, not without cause, were her
conjectures, for the looks of the landlord, his
hurried speech, the studied caution which he
observed, were enough to produce suspicion in a
1occ Nox, Al