The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-07-03
ANADVENTURE.

ny PETER SINGLE.
There are many situations in life that
man are placed in, which will bring forth
talent: strength, courage, and ingenuity,
which himself and others deemed totally
~ variance with his nature. am one
whose life has been an undisturbed scene
of peace and quietness. No quarrel or
dispute ever rendered il necessary for me
to call forth my moral or physical strength,
both of which now am inclined to believe
/ possess, at least the reader will bear me
out when have related the following ad-
venture:
/ was on my way to P, in the fall
of18--; it was drawing towards the cold
evening in the first fall month, when my
horse suddenly stopped before a respect
able house about four miles from N.
There was something strange and remark
able in this action Of my horse; nor would
be move step in spite of all my exertions
to move him on. determined to crafty
his whim, and at the same time strange
presentment which came over me-a kind
ofsupernatural feeling, indescribable, that
seemed TO urge me to enter. Having
knocked, and requesting to be conducted
TO the lady or gentleman Of the house, l
was ushered into aneat sitting room, m,where
sat beautiful girl about twenty years OF
age. She rose at my entrance, and seem
ed little surprised at the appearance of q
perfect stranger. In few words related
to her the strange conduct of my horse,
his stubborn opposition to my mind. / am
not, l observed superstitious, nor inclined
to lean on the side ofthe metaphysical doc
trines of those who support them; but the
strange unaccountahle feeling that crept
over me in attempting to pass your house,
induced me to solicit lodging for the night.
"We are not,' she replied, "well
guarded, tis true; but in this part Of the
country we have little to fear from rob-
bers, for we never heard Of any being
neai us; we are surrounded by good neigh
bors, and Aatter myself we are at peace
with them all. But this evening, ia con-
sequence of my fathers absence, feel
unusually lonesome, and if It were not
bordering on the superstitious, might
reason like you have, and say 1 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 lively;
the hours flew so quick, that on looking at
my watch, / was surprised to find it was
eleven o'clock. This was the signal for
retiring, and by twelve every inmate ofth
house was probably asleep, save myself
] could not sleep-strange visions foated
across my brain, and I lay turning and
twisting on the bed, in all the agony of
sleepless suspense. The clock struck
one-its last vibrating sound had scarcely
died away, when the opening Of shutter,
and the raising Of a sash in one ofthe low
er apartments convinced me some one
was entering the house. A noise follow
ed as of a person jumping from the win
dow sill to the floor, and then followed the
light and almost noiseless step of one as
cending the stairway. 1 slept in the room
adjoining the one occupied by the lady
mine was next the stair case; the step
came along the gallery, slow and cautious.
! had seized my pistol, and slipped on
/. part of my clothes, determined to watch or
listen to movements seemingly mysterious
or suspicious; the sound of the step stop
ped at my door-then followed one as Of
the applying Of the ear to the key-hole,
and a low breathing convinced me the vii
lain was listening. l stood motionless,
the pistol firmly grasped. Not muscle
moved, nor nerve was slackened, for ]
felt as if heaven had selected me out as
the instrument to effect its purpose, The
person now slowly passed on, and as
cautiously approached the door of my
chamber. now went by instinct, or rath
er by the conveyance of sound; for as soon
rs heard his hand grasp the latch of one
door, mine seized on the other-a deep ST.
lence followed this movement; it seemed
as ifhe heard the sound, and awaited the
repetition-it came not-all was still; he
might have considered it the echo of his
noise. Iheard the door open softly-I al
80 opened mine, and the very moment !
stepped in the entry, l caught glimpse of
tall man enter the lighted chamber of
the young lady. / softly stepped along
the entry and approached the chamber;