Southern shield., 1852-04-03
An EdVenture.


 Il never attended but one temperance lecture," sad our friend B., with a peculiar smile, "and don't think shall ever attend another."
 "You probably found it dry!"
 "Wel, yeS-but that isn't it. The Iec- ture was well enough, but got into such an awful scrape after it was over, that never think of temperance meetings without shudder I'll tell you about it. It was in Jersey City, were l was something of a stranger, and the night was one Of the worst of the season. Boreas how it blew It was enough to take your breath away.- We'll, sir, the lecture was over, and making out with the crowd, fingered in the door, way, contemplating the awful scene, when somebody took my arm.
 "Where have you been?" said the sweet est voice in the world. "I have been look ing for you every Where." Very much surprised, l turned my head and saw bat can't describe hsr IL makes me mad now to think how prodigi- ousIy pretty she was! With her left hand she leaned on my arm; she was arranging her veil with her right and did not notice my surprise.
 "You have been looking for me-" falter- ed.
 "Come let US be going," was her reply, pressing my arm.
 "A thrill went to my heart. What 10 make ofmy Iady's address, did not know; but she was too charming a creature for me to refuse to accompany her. We start ed off in the midst of the tempest, the noise of which prevented any conversation. At length she said with scream
 "Put your arm around me, shall blow away"
 "I need not describe to you my sensation, as pressed her to my side and hurried on. It was very dark; nobody saw us--and, aI- lowing her to guide my steps, 1 followed her motions through two or three short streets, until she stopped before an elegant mansion.
 "Have you your key?" she asked.
 "My key!'' 1 stammered, "there must be some mistake"
 "Oh, have one."
 And as she opened the door, stood wait ing to bid her good night, or to have some explanation, when turning quickly she said:
 "How queer you act tonight, ant you coming in!"
 There were something very tempting in the suggestion. Was going in? A warm house and pretty woman were certainly objects of consideration, and 1t was dreary to think of facing the storm and of seeing her no more.
 If tonE thrae nf q cacnnH tn making up my mind, and in 1 went. There was dim light in the haII and as my guide ran rapidly up stairs, which 1 thought 1 could do nothing better than to run up too. followed her into a very dark room.
 dock the door John," she said.
 Now, if as had been the only John in the world 1 thought she knew me. felt for | the key, and turned it in the lock without hesitation, wondering all the time what was coming next. Then an awful suspicion of some horrd tricks flashed upon my mind, for had often heard of infatuated men be- ing lured to their destruction by pretty wo- men, and was on the point Of re-openng the door, when my lady struck a light Then--beng an excessively modest man. 1 discovered to my dsmay that l was in a bed-room!- !-alone with a woman in bed room!--l cannot described my sensation.- l said something, don't know what it was, but the lady lighted her lamp, looked, star ed at me an instant, turned as white as a i pillow-case, and screamed
 "Who are youi How come you here? Go, quick--eave the room-I, Mought you aoere my husband" and covering her face with her hands, she sobbed historically
 was petrfed. Ofcourse, was as anx- ious to leave as she was to have me to do so. But in my confusion, instead of going out at the door came in, unlocked an- -.I- l~ ol1