Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-09-10
MURDER BY MISTAKE.

Inc following homely but interesting
narrative is related in one of the English
magazines. 1t proves that dreams are
notalways to be disregarded, and shows
thd there is sometimes a remarkably
sympathetic connection between ones
sleeping ideas and the wakeful motives of
otfers.
Five and twenty years ago, as was
returning home one evening from st.
Glaze, | was overtaken by a storm. I
was on horse back, and my horse, alarm
ed at the hail and lightning, became res
tive and refused to 60 step in advance
| dsmounted, and taking the reins at
tempted to urge him forward, when for
tunately 1 perceived lights ahead. I
proceeded towards them, and at length
reached miserable novel Upraising
the latch, discovered man and woman
covering over wretched fire, employed
in wearing baskets, Good evening to
you nv friends" " [ said in dialect of
the country, "but sorry weather this.
The worthy denizcns of the hut cast
upon ne looks of anything but gracious;
however, they caused me but little con-
Germ. | asked them to make little room
by their fire, assuring them [ was will
ling to meet any expense | might incur,
and proceeded to throw heap of fagots
on the embers without the slightest cere-
mony. DO you take us for inn keep
ers !"in9uired the female, in a shrill
angy tone. | took out my purse and
gave her five franc piece.
The 81 ght of the coin modified her at
once. ''Ah!" said the horrid old witch.
81 see you are good gentleman and
kind, ," and she resumed her task. The
storm, however, ragged with unabated vio-
lence. The gale threatened to carry
away the hovel, and my horse stood neigh
ing and paving the ground under the shed
where | had fastened him. 1t was idle
to think Of venturing forth, yet | could
scarcely reckon upon finding sleeping
apartment in that miserable abode
We'll, sir" said the woman. lit would
be sad thing to go beyond the doors on
such night as this. We arc but poor
folks, and have no bed worthy such fine
gentleman; but if you don't mind going
up there, pointing to ladder and kind
OF garret, at any rate you will be able
to keep yourself dry"
Somehow the woman's looks didn'
please me at all However, there was no
help for it, besides | was fresh from the
army, and no milk sop; and so clambcred
up accordingly, and gained my loft forth
with. | stretched my cloak upon the
worm eaten boards which composed the
floor, and in spite of storm and wind,
was soon fast asleep.
Strange enough, but had scarce fallen
asleep, when | must needs set about
dreaming. [ imagined myself snugly
seated in this very chimney corner, with
the girl Of my heart ct my side, when on
a sudden | perceived surging high above
her head face most grizzly to behold.
1t was the same that grazed my gentle
hostess of the hovel. She had hatchet
in her hand, and made as though to strike
me. / strove to rise and take flight, but
in vain-my limbs refused their office.
On my examining them more closely, |
discovered that they We're severed at the
joint. The changethus suddenly y wrought
in them, had the effect of arousing me
from my slumber, and dispelling the fear
full vision. At any rate, wake up did,
and found myself in the garret, with my
head piilowed on my cloak. | bent my
head to listen if / could hear aught, but,
save the bowling of the storm, all was
silent. Some how or other | could not
rid myself of the painful impression oe-
casioned by my dream. 1t struck me to
indulge in a peep through one of the many
chinks of the rotten, worm-eaten floor,
and accordingly l proceeded to take an
observation of things that might be pass
ing below. The man and his wife wero
still bending over the fire, and were con-
versing in whispers,
81 tell you, there's more coin in that
purse than you coul earn the rest of your
lifetime" said the female.
well, what then 2" said the man.
'What then? Why, take it to be sure!
Catch tight hold of his legs, and mind
the rest of him follow them, then pitch
him down the hole, and leave the rest to
me-" showing O masOn'S mallet in her
hand.
'And when that's done, what's to be
done of him next 2" inquireUthe husband.
''Well lay him down somewhere on
the road, and folks will think that he was
killed by fall from his horse" and as
she spoke she extinguished sort of non
descript lamp used by the peasantry in
those parts.
The fire was long since out, so I could
see nothing. They continued to whisper,
but in such low tones as to be utterly in
audible. | trust am not a greater cow
ard than my neighbors; still own l felt
very much the reverse of comfortable,
for be it remembered that had not a
single offensive weapon about me. Fora