St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-05-28
"Such words from you, Nellie

to Nat who was crouching III the cor
ner behind large chair " Now,
coward, if you remain on this side OF
that gate one minute, | shall not be
accountable for my actions !" said
he pointing with one hand to the gate,
and with the other drawing from his
pocket revolver. Nat, considering
discretion the better part Of valor,' y
without even stopping to take his hat
and cane, fastened to place the gate
between himself and his would-be
father-in-law, and when at last he
found himself safe in the old farm
house, for the first time in half an
hour, he drew a long breath. He lay
down upon the bed and tried to sleep,
but the clock struck three ere he for
got his perilous adventure. He slept,
and his troubles were renewed in his
dreams he thought he stood upon the
bank of river, and was about to
bury his sorrows beneath the dark
waters of the stream he knelt before
God and asked that his sins might be
forgiven, and was upon the point Of
making his fatal plunge, when he
heard voice. He turned and beheld
could it be-so sad, her countenance
bearing the marks of heart-rending
griefs, so changed--yes! it was his
own dear Nellie he clasped her to
his bosom, pressed upon her brow a
kiss, and she was not offended. "Let
us fly" said he, "to the parsons ; he
will give me power to protect you
from the wrath of your tyranical faith
er!' Together they FASTENED to the
dwelling Of the village minister, where
all the preliminaries having been ar
ranged, he was asked, "Do you take
this woman to be"
"Nat! Nat !"-he was frightened !!
He thought Thayer was upon him
again-he dared not look around
NAT Nat !" he heard the cry again,
and awakening to consciousness, he
recognized the voice of his house
keeper calling: "The horses are paw
ing, the cows are believing, and the
pigs are squealng from hunger its
halt-past eight O'Clock, your own break
fast is getting cold, and there's boy
waiting to see you! hurry down !"
To tell the truth, Nat never dressed
quicker in his life. In three minutes
he was in the room below; the boy
gave him neatly folded note, saying
Il was requested to give this to Mr.
Tarbox." Nat hurriedly opened it aud
read:
THAYER COTTAGE, 6 O'Clock, A. NJ.
Dear Natl was surprised at the
ouuuuct OF my T".hvi isrt7U ..:1 H., --.-s
very much regret that he should treat
you so badly; he never acted SO be-
fore. On the North side of our house
is a Portico; after you have entered
this, turning to your right, there is a
trap-door leading to our cellar. In
the crack Of this door tonight at half
past nine o'clock you will find letter
which will contain an answer to the
proposal you partly made last night.
Be careful that you make no noise
bring 10 light. | return your hat and
cane. NELLIE.
He looked up and was about to qucs-
ton the boy, but he was gone. All
day long he thought half.past nine
would never come. The very minute
found him crawling very noiselessly
along the floor Of the Portico. He
reached the cellar door, and felt fol
the letter he grasped it and in an in
slant the door fell in and he was hurl.
ed headlong' into the cellar below
For moment he didn't know what
to make of it, but picking himself up
and striving to peer through the dark
ness, and being unable to find any way
of escape, he exclaimed, "The Devil y
He began to think his Imprisonment
was not altogether accidental, when he
heard low rumbling noise like thun
der, then crash, and suddenly The
whole cellar lighted up, and q person
with horns protruding from the sides
of his head, breathing forth fire ant
flames, approached him, saying will
a voice like that of the grave, . an
here !"
/ "Who are your gasped Nat
trembling with fear.
"Dids't thou not call me? | have
come and await thy commands !"
Nat looked again to the trap-door
but only discovered that he must hav
fallen ten feet, as there was no steps
and he saw at once that there was d
chance for escape. His courage fail
ed him and he cried aloud in his age
ny, "Oh, my God y
"No! no! thou mistakest me
assume no such titles. l am, then
since thou dost not know me and ar
so forgetful of having called me from
| my kindom, l am simply his Satani
) Majesty and am come to do thy bid
ding"
l-a-I'm truly--a--obliged--a-
, toto your-a-majesty for-a--you
k-ki-kind -a-intentions, b-b-bubu
. really--a--do not-a--n-ne-need-
| your s-2-ser-services-a-at present,
+ uttered Nat.
"Ho. ho. mortal-thou needst nc
: be afraid !; thou hast served Inc we
. and | will see to it that thou receives
u Inv QltC TCWuiu. oub SiHII lLOA NtSS
a not see fit to command whilst | am wi
y ling to obey, let's turn the tables. L
G become master; come with me ~
Il And Satan took from one corner {
d the cellar step-ladder, and placing
IS under the door, bade Nat go up. II
5 readily complied, thinking he migl
perhaps get some chance for escap
v. but his companion guarded him tc
closely for that. He walked along u
r. conscious of where he was going, u
le til his companion halted, and then
,r observed he was within sight Of d
e. very spot on which, in his dream,
le had knelt, and from which he W
about to plunge when he was saw
by Nelly's appearance. But now
saw another sight, May Somer
- stoe5 or the hank, look;rg toval