Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-04-02


yer, Abel felt secure from midnigh,
robbers. Que night Abel shut hi
store as usual at nine o'clock. HI
had not quite finished the business o
the day, and so he left the front dool
on the jar, though the blinds were al
put up and fastened. While he was
sorting some letters to be despatched
by that nights mail, he saw man,
an ugly looking mana tall, tough
and troublesome looking fellow-en'
ter his doorway, close the door be-
hind him, and look carefully around
Abel raised his head and eyes, and
stared at the man while his two hands
rested upon letters on one side. and
money and accounts on the other.
"Good even'n," rather mechanical.
ly than otherwise, said Abel.
"Good evening"" was the response,
in very sonorous tone Of voice ofthe
stranger. Abel moved not q muscle,
nor did the tall, gaunt stranger
Like two strange, stray animals, two
tommys in a garret, Abel and the
stranger gazed at each other.
What's upl" says the stranger.
advancing q step towards Abel.
What's up}" Abel repeats.
"Yes." says the stranger, "what are
you lingering there ="
To this very suspicious query Abel
answered not, nor did he move, for a
fearful fancy seemed to have woven
itself about his muscular and mental
faculties, and the powers of voli,ion
were negatiyed in his generally cleal
and concise way of thinking and act
ing. Perhaps the more the postmas.
ter looked at the stranger through the
nebulous atmosphere intervening be-
tween them, the more the startled fan
cy worked her mysterious wonders in
the Imagination, and 70 that now no
thing short of being Laftte. Murrill,
the ID himself, or Doctor Faustus,
was then before him!
al see what you are att" says the
stranger.
"EhF" tremulously responds the
Postmaster.
"Don't you move a peg!"
al don't-don't intend to, sir!" was
the reply.
"What are you at, eh3"
"AtT
"Yes. fellow, I again ask what arc
you at7"
Who-who are you 7" says Abel
"I'll show you'll"
"You will :"
Eyes, pretty soon, too. Now, drop
and clearl" says the stranger, resort
ing to his side.pocket, from which he
drew revolver.
These high words spoken in an an
cry tone, walked up Simon, the negro.
who, after more than common hare
days work, lay asleep behind the
door, partially concealed from imme'
dia,e view by 'gunny bags a sack OF
wool, sc.
"Gor-e!" says the negro opening
his peppers and speaking in the Lowest
possible strain, wha.what's dis 7"
drop and clear, or you are dead
man !" says the redoubtable stranger
raising the tubular instrument to dis
Agreeable level with poor Abol's val
liable organ, the knowledge box.
"In the name of heaven, who ore
you 7"said Abel Jones.
"I'll soon show you," proceeded
the stranger.
w nat
THAT l have been watching YOU
"Oh" inwardly groaned Abel.
"And have now got you safe, yo,
old villain p says the stranger,
"Take-take my money!" gaspet
the P. NJ. in dcspair.
"Your money!
"Ycs, but don't commit murder!
says Abel, pushing the money, letter
and accounts over the counter towards
the advancing stranger.
"Yuu villain!" shouts tho stranger
edo you know me !"
II does |" bawls the negro, clos'
in the strangers rear.
"Ah, confederate /" exclaims the
startled stranger.
"Bim ! whaag!' Takc that sho
anyhow" bawls Sine, lcvelling q gal