The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-06-13

about an hour, bringing the time up to
about two o'clock in the morning.
Without making the least noise, they
effected their entrance by the back door
Of the house, and Nelly, leading the
way, betook themselves up the back
stairs in the dark, to Nelly's room with
out having disturbed the old folks, and
with the least suspicion Of finding an
intruder. And, as they had arranged
between themselves to keep from the
old folks the lateness of the hour at
which they arrived home, their conver-
sation, while disrobing themselves to
retire was carried on in whisper.
The agents ear, from long habit and
practice, possessed nice properties Of
hearing. The whispering and light
tread upon the floor awoke him from
his sleep, and supposing it to be occa-
stoned by robbers, he listened to the
conversation-holding his breath lest
he should give them notice of beng
awake. The girls themselves were a
little alarmed at the lateness Of the
hour, and being extremely anxious that
it should be kept from Nelly's parents,
their conversation was wholly upon
the best method OF concealing it from
them, &c. The agent caught part Of
it, and part too, excited as was his
Imagination at the time, not a little
startling. Susy said TO Nelly,
"Itis much later than we should have
BEEN" -.
To which Nelly replied:
"Yes, it is, but we got in without
disturbing any body; so far, all is right
but we must be quick or we shall be
discovered, and all will 60 wrong with
lus."
The agent was now convinced that
they were robbers; and in the dark as
| he was, he saw nothing before him but
murder and robbery. He grasped his
pistol mechanically and firmly, and
cautiously cooking it, he was prepared
for his assailants. Directly he felt a
hand on the bed clothes pressing along
in the direction of his pillow, under
which pantaloons and money were
slowed. He held his breath, and put
himself in position to reduce the liza
bility of injuring himself on discharg-
ing his pistol, and to insure its effect up
on his assallants, supposing that it was
aimed alta vital part. The hand con-
tinued to pass around the upper part ol
. the bed, but it did not seem to hit the
particular pillow. This gave the agent
time for reflection.
"ShallI," thought he, "shed blood in
!. protecting this trihs Of my employs,
or shall permit it to be stolen, anc
), bear the brunt of his unjust (as they
= would boy suspicious against myself
: This was well-it was noble--for
Z" had he fred, endless would have beer
- his remorse, though the act would have
y : been legally jusliiable. But imagine
~ his surprise when he heard soft, swee
- - voice, which appeared to be not NOR
: than two feet from him, say:
: : s'Sue, can't find my night-cap."
. - The truth now flashed upon him.
=. >, He had been put i'll Nellys bed durinI
T. her absence, and the night-cap for whic
en ar she had been searching in the dark, ha
=, been removed by her mother.
" The pistol dropped from his hand a
\ instinctively as it had been grasped be
~ fore; and it appeared that there was
"a bit Of fun for him, instead of robber
~ - and murder, after his hard days trave
-, - So, with as little noise as possible, b
~ ID drew himself toward that part OF tn
~ I bed usually denominated the "bac
NO NO side" where he lay quietly awaitin
cb the result.
Ie Susy was soon disrobed and read
- for bed; but in getting in she accidel
w. w. tally put her hand upon the agent
oof head.
,or .Why, Nellyw she exclaimed, there
W. somebody in the bed as sure as l.
81 alive"
~ ~ Our hero (or such he ought by III
~ ~ time to be called) was almost convu
- 81 ed with laughter.
n X. ats only little Sis" replied Nell
~ - "she often sleeps with me-"
This answer satisfied Susy, and N
n, lly, without the least fear, got into b
~ ~ too. The two girls were soon snug
- - "ensconced" under the quilt that h
~ ~ been made the season before, with
: ! they supposedly 'sli.tle Sis" on the ba
sho lside, Susy Dolbear in the middle, a
ds. Nelly on tho front side: butin trr
IL.l Nrts l.