Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-07-31

scoundrcl. In a towering rage, | seized
the tongs, which stood on the side Of the
hearth, and before gave a thought to
circumstances, struck him on the head
with all the force of which was mas
ter. He fell instantly. The next mo.
ment restored me to consciousness, and
| raised him up. The blow had fractu.
red his skull, and, although, no blood
had 1owed-his thick cap, which he had
not removed during tho conversation,
deodened somewhat tho blow-he was
evidently dead.
A moments reflection convinced me
that one of two things must be done -
either 10 conceal the body, or to discov.
er the fact. and proclaim that had done
the deed in self.defence. The fear that
| could not well make it appear to the
public, deferred mo from the latter
course. | had stated the day before TO
my landlady, that intended 10 send
box full of papers 10 my uncle's resi-
dence in the country; and the huge
packing box procured for the purpose
then stood in my room. I determined
to put the body in this, and thus dispose
Of it. AS was about to do this, heard
ringing at tho door bell. Thrusting
aside the window curtain, | put my head
through the window, which was luckily
half hoisted, and saw that my compan.
ions Of the night before had come to pay
me a visit. knew that they would at
once come to my room and take no de.
nial for entrance. In an instant my
course was determined on. hastily
dragged the body to the closet. placed
ii upright, and taking my duelling case
from the place Of usual bestowment, clio.
sed the closet door. then threw on my
great coat, put on my hat, tossed the
chairs in confusion round the room. |
had scarcely done this when heard the
steps OF the party on the stairs, and, as
they entered tho room, gave a tremen.
dous oath, with every other evidence Of
counter(eited passion.
"Hallo" exclaimed Harry Pierce
"what is the matter with you? Going
out 7"
81 havo this moment come in," said I,
Ito get my pistols-I thought I'D prac.
tice some this morning, and some vaga.
bond has been in my room, and turned
everything upside down. It's too bad,
by Jove I; there every one Of my clean
shirts just from the wash tossed on the
Aoor!''
My friends burst into laugh, and Tom
Needham exclaimed
"Served you right. What business
have you TO own SO many shirts? lhave
only one. In fact, that was what kept
me from you yesterday so long. | had
TO lie in bed while it was being ironed-
and tho woman kept it two hours longer
than was really necessary, because |
owed her little BILL"
"Well," said ], 81 wish you'd stop
your nonsense and fix up matters and
we'll 90 out and take crack or two this
morning."
"Not with me-" answered Tom. ats
too cold for the fingers. Tell you what
we'll do-we'll have game of whist.
There's just snug party; wonder where
Ned is 2"
81 don't know" said / she promised
Yesterday TO come and see me-"
"I'll bet SOUS" cried Jack Fry,"that
he was the Robin Goodfellow who upset
your wardrobe"
"Just like him." replied "but new.
euheless, am bent on shooting this
morning."
$50 you shall shoot, old fellow" cri.
ed Tom Needham, $50 you shall and
you needn't cool your fingers either.'-
You leave this old rat.trap tomorrow
don't ou?"
eyes"
"Very good. Then we'll give your
landlady proof of our solid regard
l'll chalk out the old lady on this close
door. Load the pistols, and we'll pu
more balls into the old feminine than
she puts pepper'corns into her mock tur
lie SOUP"
| A general yell of approval greeted this
novel proposition, amid which Tom took
a piece Of coal from the hearth ant
gravely proceeded to sketch what he call
ed a remarkably correct portrait Of th'
mistress OF the house, and Harry Pierce
set to work to load the pistols. Wher
Harry had finished, he claimed first sho
for his pains, which Tom claimed 70
the same reason, insisting that, as he hat
set up the wind mill, he ought to tilt q
it. A mock alteration followed, whicl
, was finally settled by a toss up, whic
Harry won. He grasped the pistol &C
, cordingly and fred.
, A noise Of something followed. Tn
:. conc ussion had disturbed the body, whic
. in falling, had struc k a side.shelf an
overturned some books. We all started
t Needham. however, did not notice i
a and presenting the pistol, fired again, b,
}, entirely too low, exclaiming when he sa
the result, "there's ball in her lady
ships call, by Jupiter"
d Harry turned to me as white as ashe
d and said "Did you hear anything 2"
"a "l did," replied, "the ball from yo'
:. pistol, and be hanged to you, has ups
,r some Of my books, l suppose"
10 "Oh, my God ~ exclaimed Harry,
Of have terrible presentimant. Suppo
ly my brother should have hid himself