Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-03-14
A MOMENT OF HORROR.
BY AN ARMY OFFICER.

haii d'C du iHClueut "IlCl HdPPCHCu W
myself in the fall of ls5-. l was bound
westward TO the city of New York.
The city was crowded with strangers.
After unsuccessful applications at several
hotels, at last | obtained lodgings at
IS kept on the European plan. Here
was obliged to content myself with a
chamber on the fourth floor, oddly enough
arranged in some respects, as, upon 60
ing to it after supping, for the purpose OF
changing my travel-stained dress, notl-
ced the room had no window, with the
exception of square opening in the
wall, through which air and light were
admitted from the adjoining room. 10
the opening, too, was attached shutter
in that room. | dressed and attended the
Bowry Theatre. reaching my apartment.
on returning, about hai(-past twelve o..
clock at night.
When about stepping into bed, | obser.
we'd the wicket open,and thought struck
me to take look into the adjoining a
partment Why il was | know NOT; per-
haps a sense of my own insecurity actua-
ted me.
| got upon a chair and gazed through
window into the chamber. No one was
there. Ii was furnished like my own. A
lamp was burning upon the table, and
upon the table was lying bolster,
milestone, and a pair Of large false whls-
kers.
Well, thought |, these are rather queer
articles of wardrobe. After glance at
the premises, felt anything but easy. |
finally got into bed, first placing the lamp
on the floor at the foot; and examining my
pistol, laid it carefully under my head.
At first, though quite faligued, could not
sleep; and when did doze my dreams
were uneasy and troubled. Macbeth had
been the play at the theatre, and witches
and black whiskers, Banquo's ghost, with
pistol, holsters, and like interesting visit
ors, were the companions Of my dreamy
thoughts.
About three o'clock,i it might have been,
I was aroused ty a somewhat singular
noise. On listening, it evidently procee-
ded from the next room. Ii could be IL
kened to nothing had ever heard; ii was
low but regular, and metallic in its sound
so 10 express it, such sound, for III
stance, as might be made in cutting lass
with diamond. Suddenly thought Of
the milestone on the table, and a! the
same moment became convinced the noise
was that of a knife being sharpened. My
bed was placed in the diagonal corner Of
the room from the wicket, and had been
lying with my back to the latter. turn
ed in the bed as noiselessly as possible, so
as TO face the wicket, grasping my pistol.
The lamp was burning dlmly, and all was
as still as death.
AS my eye fell upon the window, ii
encountered first, hand placed upon the
sill, Their rose by degrees head, with a
pair Of gllttering black eyes, great heavy
wbiskers, and long sharp knife between
his teeth. think / possess the ordinary
courage of a man, but | must confess, the
blood in my veins seemed to curdIe as
viewed the apparilion. Quick as light
ming, sprang up in the bed, and pointing
my pistol, cried out, "If you move a
muscle from your position, you're dead
man." The eyes glared, the head re-
however, as described, the man
not uitering syllable, got out Of bed,
and with pistol still presented and my
eyes fixed on his, backed TO the beli-rope
and pulled it violently. in few mo-
menls servant came up. | called to him
to bring police officer, there is some
thing serious going on here. In mo-
ment The passage was filed with the in
mates of the house. In short time
star made his appearance, and took the
man into custody. The landlord said he
had arrived that evening without bag
gage.
The next day gentleman claimed the
supposed assassin as his brother, a mani.
&C, whom he had been conducting TO the
insane asylum in Philadelphia, and who
had escaped from him while in that city.
He had made bis way TO New York and
with the we'll known cunning of a mad
man, had managed 20 avoid detection. !
suppose the power of the eye-for kept
mine fixed on his-had restrained him,
otherwise he could easily have mastered
me in a moment. Since then whilst in
strange place, have been careful 10 ex.
anime and secure my chamber before re-
firing.
At late public meeting, the following
'dry" toast was given. The author will
get "bul,ered" when he reaches home
1.-The Press---the Pulpit---aLd Petit
coats /; the three ruling powers Of the day.
The first spreads knowledge, the second
morals. and the last spreads-considera-
bly,"
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