Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-10-31
q ALICE MERTON;
Or, A Child's Stratasem.
nv anpuy, pyTQvvOuIu
ny SOPHIA ELLSWORTH.

do pASScu LuEOuBu TIC eastern pOrLlOn
of Virginia, | had occasion to stop at a
little village Of L, where 1 was de-
tanned several weeks, on important busi-
ness affairs. While there, I became ac-
kquainted with Mr.. Merton, wealth old
farmer, whose intelligent and interesting
family |. was so pleased, that mos: Of my
leisure hours were passed in their sOci-
ETY.. o.
One evening, as the younger members
of the family and myself we're seated
around the freside, engaged in the-to
me-delightfuI amusement Of story tell
ing, we we're joined by Mr.. Merton, who
proposed telling us, to use his own words,
"real genuine tale, with the heroine of
which we were intimately acquainted. -
InvoluntariIy, l glanced around our little
circle, and my eyes rested on Alice Mer-
| ton, beauty of some eighteen summers,
whose confusion showed that it was she
upon whom the hattcring apellation OF
heroine was bestowed.
The following story, as it may be class
ed among the " thrilling Incidents" and
cannot fail to interest, with the permission
of the reader, we will relate III the words
of our old friend:
You have have doubt!essly noticed up
the house, tall old building. This was
occupied by US as a dwelling for short
time after our removal here, The attic,
in which there is large door opening
over the yard, was then used as a sleep
ing apartments for the accommodation Of
travellers whom we might happen to en-
tertain. This building WAS once used as
store-hoCse, l infer from tho fact, of
there being a projecting beam over this
door, probably put there for the purpose
of raising goods. But to be brief, we
we're one night seated around the table
when TWO strangers entered, and begged
accommodation for the night. saying they
had travelled far, and were greatly fali-
gued. They were rather rough looking
fellows, and cast may scrutinIzing g!arccs
around the apartments, but their lively
conversation soon dispeIcd any disagrce~
able impression which might have been
produced on me. Alice was then about
twelve years OF age. sud EaturalIy very
timid, which perhaps was the cause ol
suspicious icing so easily excited.
had just recovered iCCm IL severe i'll,
ness, and consequently we retired quite
earl y. The Stran gers were shown to a
little room ~ tEc attic myself and wiic
occupied one ia the first story, and the
children slept on the second door. As my
little ones came to give me their good
mig ht kiss, noticed an expression Of 10
easIness resting On the face of Alice. bat
as she assured me she thaL was quite well, |
thought no more of the matter and soon
fell asleep.
But nos SO with my little girl she sat
apparently guziug from the window, un-
til The other children were fast asleep
Then she stole EoisclesSIy OF, end cEept
softly up stairs to r. room adjoining that oc~
cupied by the strangers, aud which WAS
separated from it, by only thin partition.
Applying her ear to a creTce, Sue listen
cd. They were not asleep for che dis
tinctly heard whisper
"But what shall We do with the brGts?"
said one.
"kiIl them too," was the reply.
She strained every nerve she even
tried TO still the almost audible beating Of
the heart, to listen ; but her brain was
SO bewiIdercd, that sho could distinguish
only few Uncounccte6 words as MUIR
der money ! concealed old Merton
She almost few down into her room !!
She gazcd fran1ical!y upon her i.tle BROTH
ers and sisters, who slept or. uncoscious-
Of the impending danger. She had over
heard enough to convince lcr that their
lives were in immediate danger. Her ia
thcr on account Of his recent illness, was un-
able even to defend himself There was
only one man servant at that time on the
place, and him she dared not trust. There
were no neighbors within several miles.
She thought Of the accounts she had read
many lives have been saved. Then she
knelt and prayed that God would give
her power TO save those SO dear to her.
She arose she paused but an instant :;
then walking to the foot Of the staircase,
noisclcssly, that the family might not be
awakened, she hastily assembled, and ran
into the assiassins' room, exclaiming av!
fly for your lives the lower part of the
house is on fire, and the flames have near
ly reached the powder! We shall be
destroyed-in this way quick hasten
down these steps The men waited not
further bidding, but rushed down!
She had purposoly opened the door to
which called your attention at the COM
mencement Of my story, and the men,
falling on a pile of rocks beneath, were
instantly killed.
was walked by the shrieks, and at the
same time Alice ran into the room, AMI
fell fainting at the side of the bed. It
was several hours before she was sufici-
emily restored, to communicate to US, the
facts of the horrible tragedy and 50
greatly was she shocked, that for many
days her life was despaired of. The men
we're recognized rs criminals, who had
escaped from prison, and not doubt re-
NAMED, but that the whole family would
have been murdered, had it not been for