The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1842-01-27
AN ADVENTURE.


is placed n,whch will bring forth talents,
strength, courage and ingenuity, with himself
and others deemed totally al variance with his
nature. | am one whose life has been an un-
disturbed scene Of peace and quletnes4. No
quarrel or dispute ever rendered. 1t necessary
for me 10 call forth my moral or physical
strength, both Of which am now inclined TO
think possess; al least the reader will bear me
out when have related the following adven-
tUre:
was on my way TO q, in the fall of
IS-; it was towards the cold evenings in the
first fall month, when my horse stopped sud-
denly before respectable house about four
miles from N. There was something
strange aud remarkable in this action Of my
horse, nor would he move a steP in spite OF all
my eXertions 10 move HIM on dellrmnod to
crafty his whim and at the same time strange
preseO'heHt which came over me, q kind Of
supernatural feeling indescribab!e, seemed 10
urge me 10 enter. Having knocked and re-
quested TO be conducted 10 the lady or gentle
man of the house, was ushered into a great
sitting room, whore sat beautiful girl of about
20 years of age She rose at my entrance,
and seemed little surprised at the appear-
auce Of perfect stranger. In few words
related 10 her The strange conduct Of my horse
and stubborn opposition TO my mind.
4 am not, | observed, 'superstitious nor in.
cined 10 The metaphysical doctrines Of those
who support them; but the strange, unacConnt-
able feeling that Crcpt over me in attempting 10
pass your house, induced me to solicit lodg-
ings 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 robbers, for We have never
heard of any being near US; we are surround
cd by good neghbors, and fatter my self we
are at peace with them all. But this evening,
in consequence Of my fathers absence, feel
unusually lonesome, and if it were not border
ing on the superstitiouss might reason as you
have, and say consent 10 your staying; for
what cause | cannot imagine
The evening passed away delightfully."-; my
young hostess was intelligent and lovely; the
hours flew quick and on looking at my watch
Twas surprlsep TO find was eleven o'clock
This was the signal forretirng; and by twelve
every inmate OF The house was probably asleep
save myself could not sleep-sirange vis-
ions hoated across my brain, anc lBy twist
ing and turning on the bed, in all the agony of
seepless suspense. The clock struck one; its
last vibrating sound had scarcely died away,
when the opening Of shutter and the raising
Of sash in one Of the lower apartments con
vinced me some one was entering the house.
A noise followed, as of person Jumping from
the window sill to the floor, aud then followed
the light almost noseless step Of one ascend~
ing the stairway slept in the room adjoin-
ing 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 drew on part of my clothes, deter
mined to watch or listen TO movements SEEM
ingly mysterious or suspicious; the sound Of
the step stopped at my door; then followed one
as Of applying the car TO the key-hole, and
low breathing convinced me the william was lls-
tening. stood moiionless, the pistol firmly
grasped. Not a muscle moved, nor nerve
was slackened, for felt as if Heaven he'd
selected me oul as the instrument to effect ts
purpoee' .-.. ..-=
The person now passed on, and as eau
tiously approached the door ofmy bed cham-
ber-- now went by instinct, or rather by the
Conveyance Of sound; for as soon as | heard
him grasp The latch of one door, seized on
the other-a deep silence followed this moves
ment; he seemed as If he heard the sound, and
awaited the repetition; il came not-a was
stilI; he might have coneidered it tho echo of
his own noise. lhoard the door opcn softly
also opened mine; and the very moment
stepped into the entry, caught tho glimpse of
q tall man entering the lighted chamber of the
young lady. | softly stepped along the entry,
and approached the chamber; through the half
opened door glanced into the room. No
object was visible save the curaned bed with
in whose sheets lar the intended victim Of q
midnight assasan and he. graCions heayens
NEGRO! for al that moment, a tall, force look
ing black approached The bed, and newer was
Oiheo and Desdemona more maturity Iepre~
sented; at least that particular scene OF the Im>
mOrtaPs conception. lwas now oil suspense;
my hear, sweed into my throat almost 10 sut>
location, my eyes 10 cracking, as made a
bound into the room. 49,.
The black villain bad ruthlessy dragged
putl ofthe covering off the bed, when the
sound ofmy foot caused him toturn. lie stars
ted, and thus confronted we stood gazing on
each other few seconds; his eyes shot hre--
andfury was depicted in his countenance lie
made spring at me, and the moment lay
corpse on the floor. The noise oil the, pistol
aroused the fair sleeper; she started in the bed,
and seemed an angel Of the white clouds, ems
| erping from her downV he'd 10 soar IN TO the