Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-12-21
miscellaneous.
TIE MIDNIGHT ASSASSIN.
A TRUE STORY.

was my way 10 P, IN the fall Of lS--; il
was towards the cold evenings IN the first fall month
when my horse stopped suddenly before respectable
house. about four miles from n.
There was something strange and remarkable in
this action ofmy horse, would he move step in
spite Of my eyertons TO move HIM on.
| determined TO crafty this whim, and at the same
time strange pfeseniImen which came over me- a
kind OF supernatural feeling Undesirable, seemed 10
urge me to enter. Having knocked, and requested
10 be conducted to the lady gentleman OF the house
was ushered into neat sitting room, where a
beautiful girl OF about twenty years OF age. She rose
al my entrance, and seemed little surprised at the
appearance of perfect stranger
In few words related 10 her the strange conduct
OF my horse, and stubborn opposition 10 my mind
Il am no,'' observed. "supersous, nor inclined
on the side OF the metaphysical doctrines those who
support them but the strange, unaccountabe feeling
that crep over me 10 attempting 10 pass your house,
induced me TO solicit lodgings for the night"
We are not" she replied, swell guarded. his true
but IN this part Of the county we have little TO fear
hom robbers. for we have heard OF any being
near us we are surrounded by good neighbors, and
tiaiier myself al peace with them. But tn is
evening, IN consequence OF my fathers absence, /
feel unusually lonesome, and IL were not bordering
on the supersliiious, might reason you hav and
say consent 10 your staying for similar feelings had
been mine ere you arrived from whatcause cannot
imagine"
The evening passed delightfully."- away; my young
hostess was intelligent and lovely the hours flew
quick. that on looking al my watch was surprised
TO find that was eleven O'Clock. This the sig
nal for reiirlng and by twelve every inmate Of the
house was probably asleep, myself. could no,
sleepsirange visions loaied my BRAIN, and
lay twisting and turning on the bed, in all the agony
o. sleepless suspense. The clock struck one; lis last
vibrating sound had scarcely died away when The
opening OF shutter and the raising ola sash in Que
OF the lower apartments, convinced me some was
entering The house. noise followed as Of person
jumping from the window sill to the floor, and then
followed the light and almost noseess step OF one
cendng The stairway.
slept in the room adjoining the one occupied by
the lady mine was next 10 the staircase, the step
came along the gallery slow and cautious. | had
seized my pistol. aud slipped on part OF my clothes,
determined 10 watch listen TO the movements seem
ingy mysterious or suspicious the sound of the steps
stopped al my door-lhen followed as Of apply
ing The the key hole, and low breathing con
WINGED me the villain was listening. stood motion
less, the pistol firmly grasped. Not music moved,
nor nerve was slaekened for felt as if heaven had
selected me tho instrument 10 eflects purpose
! The person now slowly passed on, and as cau,i-
ously approached The door Of my bed chamber.
now went by instinct, or rather by the conyeyance
Of sound for soon as heard his hand grasp the
latch OF door, mine seized on the otherdeep ST.
lence followed this movement seemed as II he heard
the sound and awaited the repetition II came not
all was still he might have considered ii the echo oil
his own noise ! heard the door open soitly-l also
opened mine. and the very momen, stepped into the
entry caught the glimpse of tall man entering the
| lighted chamber Of the young lady.
softly stepped along the entry. and approached
the chamber, through the haltopened door glanced
my eyes into the ROOM No object was visible save
the curtaned bed, within whose sheets lay the intend
ed victim to a midnight assassin, and the gracious
heaven NEGso! for at that moment tall herce-
looking black man approached tie bed, and never
were Olhelo and Desdemona more naturally repre-
sened-al least that particular scene Of the immortal
bard's conception.
| II was now all suspense my heart sweled into
my throat almost 10 suiocanon my eyes to cracking
as made a bound into the room
The black villain had ruthlessy dragged partofthe