The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-03-20
A MOMENT OF HORROR.
BY AN ARMY OFFICER.

do not propose to tell story either of
romance or of sentiment, but simply to mar.
rate m incident which happened to myself
in the fall of 1856. was bound westward
to the city OF New York.
The city was crowded with Strangers
After unsuccessful applications at several no
tells, at last ! obtained lodging ats kept
on the European plan. Here vas obliged
to content myself with chamber on the
fourth floor, oddly enough arranged in some
RESPECTS, us, upon going TO it after supping,
for the purpose of changing my travel stained
dress, roticrd that the room had no window,
with the exception of n square opening in the
wall, through which mir and light were admit
ted from the adjoining room. dressed and
attended the Bowery theatre, reaching my
apartment on returning, about half past ten
o'clock at night. ..,a
When about stepping into bed, | observed
the wicket open, and thought struck me TO
take look into the adjoining apartment
Why it was ! know not; perhaps a sense Of
my own insecurity nctuated me.
got upon chair and gazed through IL
window into the chamber. No one was there.
1t was furnished like my own. A lamp was
burning upon the table, and upon The table
WINS lying holster, u milestone, and ii pair
of false whiskers.
Well thought ], these nre rather queer ar
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,
thought quite faigued, could not sleep,
aud when | dozcd my dreams were uneasy
and troubled. Macbeth had been the play ut
the theatre, aud witches and black whiskcrs,
Banquo's ghost with pistol, holster and the
like interesting visitors, were the companions
Of nv dreamy thoughts.
About three o'clock, it might have been,
was aroused by a somewhat singular noise.
On listening, it evidently proceeded from the
next room. 1t could be likened to nothing
had ever heard; ii was low but regular and
metallic in its sound, for instance, us might
be made in cutting glass with diamond
Suddenly thought of the MILESTONE on the
table, and at the same moment became con-
vnced the noise was of knife being sharpen
I'd. My bed was placed in the diagonal
corner of the room from the wicket, and
had been lying with my back to the latter.
turned in the bed as noiselessly rs possible,
So as to face the wicket grasping my pistol.
The lamp was burning dimly, and all was as
still NJ death.
AS my eye fell upon the window, It en-
countered first hand placed upon the sill,
then rose by degrees n head, with pair of
glitiering black eyes, great heavy whiskcrs,
aud a large sharp knife between his teetl.--
| think possess the ordinary courage ola
man, but I must confess the blood in my
veins seemed to cnrdle as viewed the appar-
ition. Quick az lightning, sprang up in
the bed ,and painting my pistol cried out: "lf
you move II muscle from your position, you're
dead man." The eyes glared, the head
remaining, however, MS described, the man
not uttpring syllable. got out of bed,
and with pistol still presented and eyes fixed
on his, backed TO the bell rope and pulled
il violently In Il moment servant came
up. called 10 him to bring police officer,
there is something serious going on here
In i moment the passage was filled with the
inmates Of the house. In a short time a
star made his appearance and took the man
into custody. The landlord said he had ar
rived that evening without baggage.
The next day gentleman claimed the
supposed assassin ms his brother, a maninc
whom he had been conducting to the insane
asylum in Phadeph and who had escaped
from him while in that city. He had made
his way to New York, and with the well
known cunning of II madman, had managed
to avoid detection. Isnpposc the power OF
the eve-for kept mine fixed on his-had
restrained him, otherwise he could easily
have mastered me in n moment. Since then,
whilst in n strange place, have been careful
to examine and secure my chamber before
retiring.
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