The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1852-06-23
The Maiden's Mistake;
OR. KISSING ADvENTUR.
BY CHARLEY BOWLINE.

sed las far as | remember, but once.
But that once has not been forgot
ten, and if you will heave your
mainward abaCk, I'll tell YOU the
story, though it wont do for me to
catch you laughing at it.
1t lacked only half an hour OF
midnight. | had been on a visit to
one of my neighborS, and | found
such agreeable company that the
hours passed by unnoticed-by me
at least--but | finally gotundcr way
for my lodgings. The night was cold
and nearly starless, and the wind
blew fresh from the north but it did
not hurry me much, for | sauntered
along whistling the very familiar
tune f"Oh, no, [ never mention it "
Suddenly, while passing an aris-
tocratlc looking mansion, | saw a
front window in the second story
softly raised.and awhile hand SEEM
ed to beckon me to approach. Won
dering who it could be, and what
was wanted, I darted through the
front gate, and was soon under the
window.
us that you Charley?" asked one
OF the sweetest voices YOU ever
dreamed of hearing. | was surpri-
sed-astonished-as you will readi-
ly believe, considering the Iateness
of the hour; but l was pretty well
convinced that it was me, and nobo-
dy else, so replied
Yes, here | am?"
And there | was, trembling like a
sky-soil pole i'll II gale of wind. And
then came the response to my an
sWer--
"Well, I'm ready"
What do you think of that, COM
ing as it did from a young Iady?-
fitting time for a revelation of hor-
rors? Ready. what could she mean?
| was thunderstruck.
Ere my curious speculations as
sumed any definite shape, the un-
seen lady, lowered the end of rope
ladder to the ground, seemingly in
yIting me to ascend; but [ fell back
aghast. However, was spared the
agony OF a refusal. | saw In an in
stant that the lady was about to de-
scend to the ground; | saw her sus-
pended between heaven and earth.
Oh, how | wished that the ropes
might give way, so that should
have an opportunity to catch her in
my arms. But they didn't break,
and she reached terra firma in safe
ty.
And oh, joy! the instant shetouch-
ed the grouiid, she there threw her
arms around my neck and kissed
me again and again! Wasn't | hap
py? Ofcourse | pressed her to my
bosom with all a lovers ardor, and
| returned her kisses with more than
compound interest.
'Ohl / am so glad you have
come," murmured the fair creature.
in tones that thrilled my heart with
delight. Il have taken nothing but
my jewels and ready money, for
have hopes that a reconciliation will
be effected. If not, we will live,
love and be happy in little world j
of our own"
"Yes, we will" replied in an
emphatic manner, for | felt that she
was all that mortal ma n could de-
sire. Inow really thought that had {
secured a bride; and then the ''iew-
els, ,""money," and reconciliation"
rang in my ears like a dinner bell
I'M a one eyed tavern.
!" "And now let us hurry away be-
fore we are discovered ,''tsaid the la
dy, taking my arm and leading the
way. mol doubt she thought me very
backward, but, to tell the truth, [
didn't know whereto direct mysteps.
Following the ''bent of her inclina-
tion," we passed rapidly up the
street.
+" "Go ahead, my beauty, I'm yours
till DEATH" thought ]. But sad
change soon "came DER the spirit of
bur dream Our rapid pace soon
brought us to the gas-light on the
corner, and then, for the first time,
she caught glimpse Of my features.
The efect oflhat look was electrical.
She -disengaged her arm from mine,
recoiled aiewpaces, and murmured
wildly
sMercifal heavens! you are not
my Charlesr'
~