Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-07-28
THE MIDNIGHT ASSASSIN.


was once on my way to p,
in the fall of 18-; it was towards the
cold evenings in the first fall months
when my horse stopped suddenly before
respectable house, about four miles
There was something strange and re-
markable in this action of my horse,
nor would he move step in spite of all
nv exertions to move him on.
1 determined to crafty this whim,
and at the same time a strange present
ment which came over me-a kind of
supernatural feeling-seemed to urge
me to enter. Having knocked and re-
quested to be conducted to the lady or
gentleman of the house, was ushered
into neat sitting-room where sat a
beautiful girl about twenty years of
age. She rose at my entrance, and
seemed little surprised at the appear
ance of a perfect stranger.
In few words related to her the
strange conduct of my horse, and his
stubborn opposition to my will. 81 am
not" observed, "superstitious, nor in
clined to metaphysical doctrines, or one
of those who support them; but the
strange, unaccountable feeling that
crept over me in attempting to pass
your house, induced me to solicit lodg-
ing for the night"
1--WE are not" she replied, "well
guarded, tits true, but in this part of
the country we have little to fear from
robbers, for we have never heard OF
any being near us; we are surrounded
bv GOOD neighbors, and fatter myself
we are at peace with them. But this
, evening, in consequence of my father S
absence, l feel unusually lonesome;
: and if we are not bordering on the
superstitious, 1 might think as you
have, and say 1 consent to your staying,
/ for similar feelings had been mine previ-
GUS to your arrival, and from what
cause l cannot imagine"
The evening passed delightfully."-
away; my young hostess was intelligent
and lovely; the hours flew SO quick that
on looking at my watch was surprised
to find that it was ii o'clock.
This was the signal for retiring, and
by twelve every inmate of the house
: was asleep save myself. l could not
sleep-strange visions foated across my
: brain, and / lay twisting and turning
on the bed in all the agony of sleepless
suspense. The clock struck one; its
, vibrating sound had scarcely died away
when the opening of shutter and the
raising of sach, in one of the lower
apartments, convinced me that some
one was entering the house. A noise
followed as of a person jumping from
: the window sill to the floor, and then
followed the light and noiseless step o.
one ascending the stairway.
slept in the room adjoining the one
. . occupied by the lady; mine was next tC
, the staircase; the step came along the
! gallery, slow and cautious l had seized
! my pistols, and slipped on part of my
= clothes, determined to watch or lister
to the movements, seemingly mysteri
Gus or suspicious-the sound OF steps
stopped at my door-then followed a.
: applying the ear to the key hole, anc
= a low breathing convinced me the villaiI
: was listening. l stood motionless, the
pistols firmly grasped. Not a muscl,
moved, not a nerve was slackened, for
felt as if heaven had selected me out a
. the instrument to effect its purpose.
The person now slowly passed on
and as cautiously approached the doc
of my bed chamber.
;, now went by instinct, or rather b.
conveyance of sound; for as | hear
his hand grasp the latch Of one door
;, mine seized on the other-a deep sllenc
= followed this movement, it seemed as
!. he heard the sound and awaited tn
!, repetition; it came not-all was still
- he might have considered it the eeh
> of his own noise. heard the doc
= open softly-I also opened mine: an
'a the very moment l stepped into tn
. entry, 1 caught the glimpse of ia
81 man entering the lighted chamber
the young lady.
softly stepped along the entry, an
approached the chamber; through tn
= half open door glanced my eye int
y the room. No object was visible sav
: the curtained bed, within whose sheet
!; : Law the intended victim of a midnigf
! 4 assassin, and he, gracious heaven, ne
:: prol for at that moment tall herc
u u looking black man approached the bee
y y Never were Othello and Desdemon
~ more naturally represented-at least
~ that particular scene Of the immort'
N bard's conception.
a 1t was now all suspense; my heal
swelled into my throat almost to suffoc'
IA ton, my eyes to cracking, as l bounde
~ into the room.
The black villain had ruthlessl
dragged part of the covering of tn
bed, when the sound of my foot cause
ifo him to turn. He started, and thus col
Js fronted. we stood gazing on each other
.. few seconds; his eye shot hre-fur
o was depicted on his countenance- d
eff S3 made a spring towards me, and II
as next moment lay corpse on the foo
The noise of the pistol aroused II
r. fair sleeper; she started in bed, an
seemed an angel of the white clouc
L. - eoo, -