The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-09-22
From an Exchange.
The Midnight Assassin.
A TRUE STORY.

the nrst Iali month, when my horse stop-
ed suddenly before respectable looking
house, about four miles from N.
There was something strange and re-
markable in this action of my horse, nor
would he move step in spite of all my
exertions to move him on.
Determined to crafty this whim, arc
at the same time strange presentiment
which anne over me-a kind of superna-
t'ral feeling describable-secmcd 10
urge me to enter.
Having knocked and requested to be
conducted to the lady or gentleman Of the
house, l was ushered into a neat sitting
room, where sat a beautiful girl, about 20
years ofage. She rose at my entrance
little surprised at the appearance of an
entire stranger.
In few words related to her the
strange conduct of my horse, and his stub
born opposition to my will. "Iam not"
| observed, superstitious, nor inclined on
the side of metaphysical doctrines, or those
who support them, but the strange unac-
countablc feeling that crept over me in at
tempting TO pass your house, induced me
to solicit lodgings for the night"
" We are not" she replied, "well guar
ded, tits true, but in this part Of the coun-
try, we have but little to fearfrom robbers,
for we have never heard Of any being near
us; we are surrounded by good neighbors
and tlatter myself that we are at peace
with them. But this evening, on account
OF my fathers absence, feel unusually
lonesome and il we were bordering on
the superstitious, might reason as YOU
have. | consent to your staying, for SIM
liar feelings had been mine ere you arriv-
ell, from what cause / cannot imagine"
The evening passed delightfully."- away,
tor my young hostess was intelligent and
lovely the hours flew so quickly, that on
looking at my watch, was surprised to
lind that it was ii o'clock.
This was the signal for retiring, and by
every inmate Of the house was asleep
save myself could not sleep-strance
visions fioated across my brain, and Law
twisting and turning upon my bed, in all
the agony of sleepless suspense. The
clock struck one the last vibrating sound
had scarcely died away, when the opening
of a shutter and the raising of a sash in
aRs 0t shs S%sT SSs ~pe ~apeasEtmen!s convinced me
A noise followed rs of person jumping
from the window-sill to the floor, and then
followed the light and noiseless step of
some one ascending the stairway.
l slept in the room adjoining the one
occupied 10y the lady; mine was next to
the staircase; the step came along the
gallery, slow and cautious. | had seized
my pistol, and slipped on part of my
clothes, determined to watch or listen to
the movements, seemingly mysterious or
suspicious; the sound Of steps stopped at
my doOr-uhen followed as one APPLYING
the ear to the key-hole, and low breath,
ing convinced me that the villain was lis
tening. | stood motionless, the pistol
firmly grasped. Not muscle moved, not
nerve was slackened, | felt rs if heaven
had selected me as the instrument to its
effective purpose.
The person now slowly passed on, and
| as cautiously approached the door of my
bed chamber.
| now went by instinct, or rather bv
conveyance Of sound for as soon as l
heard his hand grasp the latch of one door
mine seized the other-a deep silence fol-
lowed this movement; it seemed rs il he
had heard the sound and awaited repeti-
tion it came not--all was still he might
have considered the echo Of his own
noise. l heard the door open softly-I al
so opened mine; and the moment step
ped into the entry, caught the glimpse
OF tall man entering the lighted cham
Der Of the young lady.
l softly stepped along the entry, and ap-
preached tile chamber; through the half
opened door glanced my eyes into the
room. No object was viible save the cur
tanned bed; within whose sheets Law the
intended victim to a midnight assassin,
and he gracious Heaven a MORO for at
that moment, tall, fierce looking black
man approached the bed, and never were
Othello and Desdemona more naturally
represented-at least that particular scene
OF the immortal bard's conception.
was now all suspense my heart swell.
ed into my throat almost to suffocation,
my eyes to cracking, and made bound
into the room.
The black villain had ruthlessly drag,
ged part Of the covering off the bed when
the sound Of my foot caused him to turn
He started, and thus confronted. we stood
gazing on each other for few seconds
his eyes shot fire-fury was depicted ir
his countenance. He made a spring to-
wards me, and the next moment he lay @
corpse on the floor.
The noise Of the pistol aroused the fail
sleeper; she started in the bed, and seem
ed an angel of the white clouds emerging
from her downy bed to soar up to the
skies. ~
The first thing that presented itself tc
her view, was myself standing near hel
with pistol In my hand.
"Oh do not murder me!--take all
you cannot, win not kill me, sir!"
The servants rushed in--all was explain