Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-08-11
From the Mechanics' Free Press.
AN ADVENTURE.
BY PETER SINGLE

81 re Eh SINbIE.
There are many situations in life tha
men are placed in, which will bring iortl
talent, strength, courage, and ingenuity
which himself and others deem totally
at variance with his nature.-I am ont
whose life has been an undisturbet
scene ofpeace and quietness.-No quar-
rel or dispute ever rendered it necessary
for me to call forth my moral or physica
strength, both Of which now am inclin
ed to believe ! possess, at least the read
er will bear me out, when ! have relat-
ed the following adventure 4:
was on my way to p, in the
fall of 18- it was drawing towards
cold evening, in the first fall month,
when my horse suddenly stopped before
respectable house, about miles from
N.-There was something strange and
remarkable in this action of my horse
nor would he move step in spite of all
my exertion to move him Oh. deter
mined to CRAFTY his whim, and at the
same time strange presentimcnt which
came over me-a kind of supernatural
feeling, indescribable, that seemed to
urge me to enter. Having knocked, and
requesting to be conducted to the lady
or gentleman of the house, [ was usher
ed into neat sitting room, where sat a
beautiful girl about 90 years of age.
She rose at my entrance, and seemed Il
little surprised at the appearance of a
perfect stranger. In IA few words rcat-
ed to her the strange conduct of my
horse, his stubborn opposition to my
mind. l am not, | observed, supcrsti-
tious, nor inclined to lean on the side of
the mctaphy sical doctrines of those who
support them; but the strange unaccount-
able feeling that crept over me in at
tempting to pass your house, induced me
to solicit lodging for the night.
owe are not" she replied, "well
guarded, tits true but in this par, Of the
country we have little to fear from rob-
bers, for we never heard of any being
near us we are surrounded by good
neighbors, and hattcr myself we are at
peace with them ALL But this evening,
in consequence of my fathers absence,
l feel unusually lonesome, and if it were
not bordering on the superstitious, might
reason as you have, and say consent to
your staying, for similar feelings have
been mine ere you arrived ; from what
cause cannot imagine"
The evening passed delightfully."- away;
my young hostess intelligent and lovely ;
the hours flew so quick, tharon looking
at my watch, was surprised to find it
was eleven o'clock. This was the sig
nal for retiring, and by twelve every in
mate of the house was probably asleep,
save myself. Icould not sIeep-strangc
visions hoated across my brain, and lay
turning and twisting on the bed, i'll all
the agony Of sleepless suspense. The
clock struck one-its last vibrating sound
had scarcely died away, when the open
ing of a shutter, and the raising of q
sash in one of the lower apartments, con-
vinced me some one was entering the
house. A noise followed as of Il person
jumping from the window sill on the floor
and then followed the light and almost
noiseless step of one ascending the stair
way. l slept in the room adjoining the
one occupied by the lady ; mine was
next the staircase the step came along
the gallery, slow and cautious. / had
seized my pistol, and slipped on part of
my clothes, determined to watch or list
en- to movements seemingly mysterious
or suspicious: the sound of the step stop
ped at my door-then followed one as of
applying the ear to the key hole, and a
low breathing convinced me the villain
was listening. / stood motionless, the
pistol firmly grasped. Not muscle NOV
ed, nor nerve was slackened, for ] icl,
as heaven had selected me out as the in
str,lment to effect its purpose.-The per-
son now slowly passed on, and as eau
tiously approached the door Of my cham
ber. / now went by instinct, or rather
by the conveyance Of sound for as soon