Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-01-29

/ w d9 A1i0 iOl HOC O'Oh otAN
thought that whilst her attention
was strongly directed to one spot,
he had made his exit, and was lean.
ing over her; but she was deceived
BY a Pickering shadow on the oppo-
site wall. In reality there was no
danger that he would compromise
the success OF his sanguinary enter
prise; the shrieks of victim put on
its guard, might alarm the house.
Have you ever stood, hour after
hour, with the ferocious patience OF
an angler for nibblel If you have,
you have some faint idea Of the
state Of mind in which Mrs. Martin
with far greater interest at stake
passed the time, until an old clock
on the chimney piece told one hour
after midnight. Another source Of
anxiety now presented itself--the
fire had nearly burnt out. Her
dizzy eyes could scarcely see the
floor, as she bent with fearful atten-
ton over the head of the bed--the
terrible moose hanging, like the sword
of Damocles above the gloomy aper-
ture. "What," she thought "if he
delay his appearance until the night
has completely died awav7 Will it
not then be impossible for me to
adjust the scarf--to do the deed--to
kill the assassin-to save myself and
nv childl Oh, Godl deliver him
into my hands!"
A cautious movement on the floor
the dragging OF hands and knees
along the fioor--a heavy suppressed
breathing--announced that the su-
preme moment was near at hand.
Her white arms were barred TO the
shoulder; her hair fell widely around
her face, like the name Of lioness
about 10 leap upon its prey, the dis
tended orbs Of her eyes glared down
upon the spot where the question Of
life and death was TO be soon deci-
ded. Time seemed immeasurably
heightened out-every second as
sumed the proportions of an hour.
But at last, Just as all lines and forms
began to float before her sight
tiacu5h an indistinct medium Of
light and darkness, a black mass
interposed between her eyes and the
floor. Suspense being over, the time
of action having arrived, everything
seemed TO pass with magical rapidity.
The rObber thrust his head forward.
Mrs. Martin bent down. There was
a half-choked cry-the sound OF the
knife falling on the foor-a conVul-
slve struggle. Pull pull pull !
Mrs. Martin heard nothing-saw
nothing but the scarf passing over
the head of the bed between her
two naked feet. She had half
thrown herself back, and, holding
her scarf with both her hands, pulled
with desperate energy for her life.
The conflict had begun; and one or
the other must perish. The robber
was a powerful man. and made furi-
oUs efforts; but in vain. Not
sound escaped from his lips-not
sound from hers. The dreadful
tragedy was enacted in silence,
"Well, mother Guerard," cried
young man leaping out of carriage
that stopped before the door Of the
"auberge" next morning; "what
news have you for me? Has my
mother arrivedr
"Is it your motherl" replied the
landlady, who seemed quite good
humored after her nights rest
"There is a lady up stairs waiting
for some friends, but she does not
speak French easily. and seemed
unwilling to talk. We could scarce.
ly persuade her to 90 10 bed"
"Show me the room," cried Ar
thur, running into the house.
They soon arrived before the door.
"Motherl motherT' cried he, but
received no answer.
"The door is only laiched, for we
have no robbers in this part of the
country" said the landlady.
But formidable obstacle opposed
heir entrance. They became
alarmed, especially when they heard
the shrieks OF the little girl, and
burst open the door.
The first object that presented
itself was the face oil the robber,
violently upturned from beneath the
bed, and with protruding tongue and
eveballs; the next was the form Of
Mrs. Martin, in the position in which
we left her. She was still pulling
with both hands at the scarf, and
glaring wildly towards the head Of
the bed. The child had thrown its
arms around her neck, and was
crying; but she paid no attention.
The terror OF that dreadful night
had driven her mad. e~
butcher who had been employed by
a miserly sort of fellow TO cut up a
hoo for him. cut off the tail and threw II