American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-04-19
A w A R N I NG.

1t was in the summer of 1916, as | was
travelling in the upper part of the State Of
Vermont, on horse back, was suddenly
overtaken by a thunder storm, | put my
horse at full speed; and as he was a pretty
smart traveller, reached the village of Ver-
gennes as the rain poured down in torrents,
stopped at a neat little cottage sheltered
by honey -suckle and woodbine, and was
greeted bya cordial welcome from the
occupants, especially mine host, who was
the pattern of Yankee hospitality.
He was short. thick-set old gentleman,
polite and courteous. His hair was whit
ened with the frosts of many years, and
his pale white countenauce was furrowed
with care; yetat times his facewould bright
ened up as the merry throng around him
jumped on his.kneo and kissed his ashy
lips. On the whole itappeared to me that
he had seer Batter days; and, after had
been with them some time, in the course
of conversation about the wealthy men in
the great cities, he informed me that he
himself could once count his thousands,
and that in his younger days he had trav-
eled over many parts of Europe, but that,
being bondsman for mercantile friend
whose credit was considered reliable, by
the change in the market in some uncer-
tain business, he failed and madea bank
rupt of him, and, after paying his honest
debts, he had but enough left to buy the
small farm he now occupied, whore he and
his family lived in happy retiremsnt.
As the rain continued, they invited me
to stop to tea, assuring me that my horse
should be well provided for, and that it
would put them to- no serious inconyen-
ence. Supper came, and we sat down to
nice dish of pretty speckled brook trout.
Aftersupper, lwasinvitedto stay all night
He told me that as was a traveller, he
would tell me of little adventure he bad
when he was in Paris. He said he liked to
warn young people not to be allured into
places where they would be likely to get
caught by the police.
cit was about the middle Of an after
noon, in the month of September, that
arrived at Paris, and entered my name at
well known hotel. After supper took
stroll around some ofthe principal streets
of the capital, and concluded to so to the
theatre in the evening. Evening came; it
was warm and pleasant just suited to my
pleasure OFF Estarted, torelieve eunui.-
1t was just IL O'Clock when it was done,
and wandered around to enjoy my silent
reveries of home, and take moonlight
view of the noted metropolis. How far
wandered could not tell, when raising
my eyes suddenly, saw female form,
arrayed in white, leaning against the lamp
post She stood there, more like an angel
of beauty than a missive of crime. AS |
neared she stepped forward, bowed, and
told me that by some mistake her partner
had lost her. She was afraid to go home
alone and wished that | would accompany
her home. She was sorry to put me to so
much inconvenience, but she was really
afraid to go. | who was then a young
man, politely took her arm, and proceeded
as she directed. She led me through nu-
merous streets, until we came to very
pleasant looking brick house ftwo stories.
She stopped, entered, and went up one
flight of stairs into a small bedroom, neat
ly furnished; and left me, without light,
to call her mother, who would be glad to
ses a gentleman who had been so kind as
to wait upon her home. Suddenly tho't
l had better 60, Ihad done them but
slight service at best. went to the door
to 90 out. 1t was fastened. ! was apris-
onerl Ny mind conceived all sorts of
ideas regarding my welfare; but felt now,
that / was in an abode Of wickedness.--
The artful woman had entraped me. A
feeling Of fear began to start over me.