Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-04-02

AQleu 10 mem all now, SalQ neI
husband, throwing his bag of cash upon
the table. "and let us have the oysters,
with a glass of your currant wine" p
There was an open fire, and he laid on
more wood, lighted the solar lamp, gave
one look to the sleeping babe, and then
shaded its face from the strong light,
while his wife brought the oysters. We
grew very happy and cheerful round the
little table, Notwithstanding the wind
moaned sadly without. But we had
hardly eaten cur first sauces of oysters
and cracker, when boarse voice cried,
"wboa !' and carriage stopped at
the door. "Oh Samuel, what is it %
said his wife, starting up alarmed.
"Why, Emily, how nervous you arel'
said her husband, somewhat annoyed.
The door opened and Cousin Caroline
stood before us-a most welcome appa-
rition surely.
The oysters were still in demand, and
with the addition of the wine added vi
vacity to our conversation. The evening
waned away, but still we set around the
now DINNER fire, foi it had burned low,
and lay in one mass of Goals upon the
ample hearth, forming bright region
peopled with grotesque group from the
world of fancy. Now and then the blast
whistling rudely without; then, chang
ing its tones, sounding a low funeral
wall. At intervals the chained dog of
neighbOr howled mOurnfully, making
Mrs. Pettis sadly nervous again. Her
husband observed it, and smiled.
But, deary, it is a dreadful sign"
said Emily.
"Of what, my dear 90
"Why Of death, or some terrible event.
Don't you remember, Garry, how, Mr..
JOhnson's dog hOwled the very night my
brother Henry died 90
"Yes, he did, and it made us all
gloomy enough, but then it was always
bowling. Don't you recollect they sus-
pected old Aunt Peg of poisoning it, be-
cause she said there wouldn't be liv-
ing soul left in the village if the creature
was allowed to go, bowling at that
rate o"
"Well, | wish she was here to poison
this one," said Mrs. Pettis, as another
doleful howl was heard between the
pauses Of the wind.
"Oh, Emily !' said Caroline, "you
can't imagine what a fright l had
few nights since. L was sleeping in my
own loom, the windows of which come
down to the floor, and opened upon the
upper piazza. They open easily, and
one we often used as door. 1t was moi
fastened upon the inside. Ny fathers
desk. containing money and valuable pa
pers, stood near the bed. 1t was near
midnight, and l had been in that sound
sleep which generally precedes the
smaller hours, when, as it would seem,
becoming restless, 1 turned and threw
my arm directly upon the rough surface
Of mans coat sleeve. 1 awoke, and
saw the wearer, by the light of the
moon, turning slowly and cautiou.ly a
key to the desk ! 1 gave one scream,
and he suddenly-decamped through the
window. The family were alarmed and
came running to my room, but though
the key was found as he left it, and
proved to be an exact fit as the one in
my fathers possession, yet we never dis
covered any trace of the would-be thief"
Poor Emily's deep blue eyes were
opened to their utmost extent, while,
round her full red lips, broad pale cir
Gle could be seen. ''Horrible, Garry,
1 wonder you survived such a fright"
"My dear wife, we are never so much
frightened in actual danger as by the
a anticipation of it," said her husband
"Think of the mothers of the west the
pioneers of this beautiful State. 1 am
afraid you would shrink from their en-
counters with savages, to say nothing of
bowling wolves and springing panthers."
"Oh, Samuel, don't talk about them
to night. Girls, must you go to bed q?
1t isn't twelve O'Clock yet %
Its proximity to that hour, however,
reminded US of needful rest, and we
bade our friends good night and Garry
and myself proceeded to what we termed
the ''parlor bed room," which we were
to occupy together. The door, however,
connecting it with the parlor was fast
ened, and the large massive bedstead
stood against 1t. The only access, there
fore, to our sleeping apartment was
through small open porch. and we care
fully guarded our light from the stormy
wind as we passed through. We soon
fergot the storm without in relating the
Incidents which had taken place since
our last meeting. not the least interesting
'f which was the engagement of Garry
70 a young merchant of Cleveland. She
was Just in that ecstatic state of youth
ful love when the world and all that is
therein wear the hue of couleur de rose.
It was but moment after we said our
last good night that she dropped to sleep