Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-02-19
A BRiVE EEsIsrAECE.

several years ago, when the south OF
Ireland was, as it ever has been within
the memory of the Oldest Inhabitants, in
disturbed state, gentleman advanced
in years lived in retired country house.
He was bachelor, and whether trusting
IN his supposed popularity, or imagining
that the general alarm among the gentry
was groundleSs, he continued in his lone
y mansion long after his neighbors had
quilted theirs for safer residence in town.
He had been indisposed for several DAYS,
and on the night he was attacked had
taken supper in his bedroom, which was
on the ground floor, and inside q parlor.
with which it communicated. The SER
wants went to bed; the house was shut
up for the night, and the supper tray,
with its appui tenances, by pIovidential
oversight, were forgotten in theold man s
chamber.
Some hours after he had retired to bed
he was alarmed at hearing a window lift.
ed In the outer apartment; bis chamber
door was ajar, and the moon Shone bril-.
llantly through the open easement, rem.
dering objects in the parlor distinct and
peIceptible to any person in the inner
room. Presently a man leaped through
the window, and three others followed
him in quick succession. The old gen.
tleman sprsng from his bed, but unfortu-
nately there were no arms in the apart.
ment; recollectipg, howev.r, the forgot
ten supper tray, he provided himself with
q case knife, and reSolutely took his
stand behind the door. He had one ad-
vantage over the murderers, they were in
full moonlight, and he shrouded in i'm
pentrable darkness.
A momentary hesitation took place
among the party, who seemed undecided
as to which of them should enter the
dark room, for, acquainted with the To-
calities of the house, they knew where
the devoted victim slept. At last one of
the villains cautiously approached, stood
for moment in the doorway, hesitated,
advanced q step-not whisper was
heard, breathless silence reigned around,
and the apartment before him was dark
as the grave itself go on, blast We !.
What the devil are ye Altered of?" said
the rough voice of an associate behind;
he took . second step and the old man
buried his knife in bis heart! No second
thrust was requisite, for with q deep
groan the robber sank upon the floor.
The obscurity of the chamber, the
sudden destl uction caused by that dead
ly thrust, prevented the ruffians in the
outer room from knowing the fate Of their
companion. A second presented himself,
crossed the threshold, stumbled against
his dead associate, and received the old
mans knife in his bosom. The wound,
though mortal, was not so fatal as the
other, and the ruffian had strength TO
calculate that he was dead man!
Instantly several shots were fred, but
the old gentleman's position sheltered
him from the bullets. A third assassin
advanced, leveled long fowling piece
through the doorway, and actually rested
the barrel against the old mans b)dv.
The direction, however, was q slaa ing
one, and, with admirable Self. f.possession,
he remained steady until the murderer
drew the trigger, and the bail passed him
without injury but the flash from the
gun unfortunately disclosed the place Of