The Empire County argus., 1854-07-01
A FEARFUL ADVENTURE.
BY J. W. BLACK.

ihore uHDounueu commence In the QreSS OF u Tea
cup, &c, &c, all of which are now, 60! tempora,
o! naores.) fallen into comparative disrepute But
to my story.
Some months since heard that friend of mine
was suddenly siezed with so severe an attack of
illness as to endanger his life and this increasing
ne had desired me to pay him farewell visit
ms circumstance did not surprise me so much as
you might be led to suppose; for | remember that
both my wife and myself had not only seen huge
windlng-sheet on one of my best mould candles,
but had also dreamt that my friend had made his
appearance at our garden gate mounted on his
black mare, Bess. and wearing the identical drab
beaver which he was accustomed to boast of hav
ing seen seven and twenty winters.
This was very extraordinary, and we could not
for our lives discover the meaning of so remarkable
an occurrence; but my wife at this crisis, happen
ing to reeollect that old Bess had departed this life
some years ago. and that the old drab chapeau had
fallen prey to a band Of mischievous men, who,
in some of heir predatory excursions had mistaken
1T for Cheshire cheese, we came to the agreement
that some accident would shortly befall my poor
friend. And the event proved that conjectures
were too well founded for the next morning, whilst
was complaining of rheumatics and predicting
rain, who should come to the house. but my friends
man john with the news of his masters illness.
could not refuse my poor friends request, though
the day was very gloomy, and the rain agreeably
to my predictions began to descend in torrents So
|
my neither man with pair of thick inexpressibles,
set out on my journey.
But | had moro perils to encounter than had
'drcamt of in my philosophy; = my horse stumbled,
Gan evil omen,) when had not proceeded twenty
yards from the house: and had already dscov-
cred that stout upper Benjamin could not entirely
defend me from the niteous shower besides, what
was far worse than all, had to pass over large.
suspicious looking common. which had been the
scene of many robberies and even murders
tt was very natural therefore, that wished my
self safely landed at my journeys end; especially
as the day was drawing to q close, and had now
reached the cheeress waste mentioned. But Judge
of my feelings, when | heard the sound of horses
hoofs behind me, and beheld by the uncertain light
which was gradually diminishing, mounted cava-
lier, approaching me at rapid pace. My first i'm
pulse was to prepare for instant BATTLE for imag-
ined that this was no less parsonage than one of
the depredators, whose handy y-works were the ter
ror Of the country, for twenty miles round.
But. alas | soon perceived that NO match
for the highwayman from his nearer approach he
appeared to be an extremely thick-se square-shoul
dered, and no doubt, desperate little fellow. He
drew up his horse when he passed me, and awaited
my arrival in silence.
We rode on without exchanging single word,
for was still rather dubious, and had not quite
mastered my fears. J had leisure to survey my
companion, whom shall endeavor to describe
He a man about forty years ofage; in per-
son remarkably short and thick buried in rubi-
cund visage were two twinkling orbs which inces-
sanity shot suspicious glances on every object
nose in keeping with the rest of his person but
fiery red was that useful organ, that solemnly de-
clare, it shed soft lustre all his countenance,
hy means of which was enabled to study all his
features so narrowly
But soon began rs may be supposed, to grow
tired of my companion, and clapping spurs to my
horse, attempted to free myself from his society
but to purpose he was at my side his eyes twink
ling with ten-fold velocity. reined in my steed,
he did the same stopped for short time sodid
he "Bless me y mentally exclaimed, what an
adventure Should this be the spirit of one of those
travellers who lately were murdered on this very
eommon!' Many circumstances conspired to con-
firm this idea; could ascrbe to this alone his un-
broken silence, his mysterious air, twinkng eyes,
and above all, his efulgcnt nose.
| We had almost crossed the common the clouds
had dispersed, and the moon was rising in tranquil
majesty when happening to cast my eyes upwards,
beheld to my great horror and astonishment that
she was not as usual of pale yellow color but
bright, Waterloo blue; turned to my companion,
now deeply, darkly beautifully blue; his nose too.
had lost its glowing color, and burnt blue as Ro-
man candle or piece of sulphur
viewed these phenomena with terror, which was
by no means diminished, when the little fat man
approaching so near Inc that the heat of his nose
positively ScOrched my cheek, asked me- with strong
Irish accent, to take dinner with him. stammered
out an apology, for did not relish taking dinner
with ghost. My refusal seemed to irritate my
invter.
You shall take dinner with mel" he exclaimed,
whilst his eyes grew larger and larger. and the rays
of his nose glanced over his face like flash ofligYt
ming.
The dctatorial tone in which he spoke displeased
me, and answered sullenly, that was obliged to
visit dying friend
"Arrah by the powers" cried my antagonist,
! lin your nose!'
"lhe mischief you wilt" retorted l. "well see
whose nose can best bear pulling"
No sooner said than done, he charged against
me with vigor that upset myself and my Rozinante,
and then proceeded put his threat into execution.
The struggle was long and fierce he seized my ma
sal protuberant, returned the compliment, in spite
of the sparks of fire which flashed from the offended
member. Victory was for long time doubtful
when suddenly received blow from behind which
laid me PROSTATE on the ground, and I-awoke, and
found myself, not on the common, but seated COM
fortably in parlor my wife standing me
ready to repeat her fagelation and the Irish house
keeper on her knees before me, endeavorng to ex-
tricate her olfactory organ from my determined
grasp, roaring out at the same time, Dinners on
the table, sir, let go my nose !"
An old gentleman once said in speaking of the
the bad consequence of disparity Of fortune espcc-
tally on the wifes siGe-in marriage that when he
married. he had twenty cents and his wife twenty