The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-03-26

SUCK. ohe proposed lighting the gas, but
the other objected, that, if disturbed, he
might be fluricl, and turn it the wrong way.
| They then, with singular uu;cLncss and
dcxterity, ransacked my desk and cases,
which they opened by means of skeleton
kcys.-Ihis done, and the plumber tied in Il
handkerchief, the Younger of tn. two suu.
""s'ed, with an oath, that they should fniM
HAN.
lie approached my bed, drew aside the
curtains, and, though burst not look, felt
was gazing in my face Again he turned
aside, and inmblcd in his pocket, as if in
search Of something
had all along hoped that by fcignins
asleep might escape; for | knew, should IL
struggle enSue, could not escape, Since
they were powerful men, and / quite un-
armed. While he was feeling in my peck
ct, could not help Stealing my hand up to
my throat, thinking, at the same time, how
little chance there was that it would ar,iu
be used as vehicle for Christmas cheer.
Guess my horror, if YOU can, when the
elder sc"unlrcl. in an impatient tone, bade
his son "male haste, if he meant to do il.
and not keep him waiting there all night"
The Young man tumb!cd over the articles
that had been displaced in their search for
plundcr, and not finding what he sought,
inquired, with another oath, what his father
had done with the knife. At first, the lat
ter seemed puzzled, and then informed his
son, with an equally elegant expe,ivc that
he had left it Oh the pantry shelf down be-
low.
The younger, bitterly cursing him for
greedy fool, wlio must begin to cat before
the work WAS done, ba1c him fetch it.
"Wcll, Bill," replied his parent, ''that
ham WAS stunning, and You know you
couldn't stand those ere checsccakcs, but
won't this do for him :''-hanling up one of
my pistols.
"les, pretty thing, fire, kick up a row,
and he scraggcd for it-,hat you'd pay
! nicely. Fetch the knife, and have no more
jaw, or we shall wake the chap, Instead Of
sending him up quietly to spend his Christ
mas in heaven, without invitation" lie
cLucklcd, and the old fellow seemed equal
ly delighted at his sons wit, then taking up
the candle, went off to fetch the knife.
Ill their motions had been so noiscles,ly
performed and the conversation carried on
in tone SO wonderfully clear, though low
that was astonished at the perfection they
had attained in their horrid craft. During
the fathers absence the son was not idle.
He actually locscd the collar of my shirt,
and tteh stood quietly awaiting the others
return.
io*c could never imagine, unless placed
! i'll similar circumstances. what multitude
of thoughts passed through my mind in a
few brief minutes. verify believe that
every Christmas, with lis accompnnmonts
of fun and feasting at which I bad assisted
since [ was the height Of the table, was re-
viewed in turn. Then 1 thought of the
morrow, and the fair girls mad left, and
how, an hour before was full of hope that,
ere another Christmas came round. should
call one my own. Still found time for
earnest prayer, and to think of all sorts Of
expedients 10 escape my impending fate.
Once | tancicd, now there was only one TO
contend with, I might do something; but
just then the tonch of the muscular hand on
my throat reminded me that a movement
would cause my instant destruction. Indeed,
|sl have often wondered that the fellow did
not slrangle me in his imra,ence. How
bitterly did reproach ,nyselflor not raising
an alarm when the footsteps first became
audible.
|, At'leng'h the fellow fairly gnashed his
teeth with rage, and u:tering smotherct
exclamation Hang the tippling beast, hes
at'tlat wine again." lie also left the apart
ment, to recall his, truant parent and fetch
Lthe.inplement Of murder.
No~!was my time, and you may believe
| Ielost none. The instant he left the room I
was on mysfeet.; noiselessly Itnpproachcd
Ethe door, dashed il to, turned the key, shot
q the bolt,lighted Tie gas, and once more
stood my heart ready to leap into my throat
with joy aud thank fuIness, With my trusty
! pistols in,my hand, .s
!. There was no chance Of their ire: entering,
4 for their skeleton Keys lay yon my taglesa6i
every. arfielsof plund lund sTwas thers also; for,
intending 4 te return, they iiad not conveyed
Fitfrom ,liefoom. is,s.s. ~ ~
H. made noise enough, sfrom the wi1dow'ss
/ sItsmy iiostess,a and her daInsel !, now sar6nsed,
4 ajaipsa Ii1the cfSrds and soon, q thss head