The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-09-16

trs.h What was he sb 1ut-what did he
want? Should / jump mp and meet him, in
case lie attempted TO attack me-but then the
doc which was still lying in the roomf And
again. vas the " reslly going to attack me,
or might it rot be anxiety whether slept COM
fcrtabiy7 determined to wait and judge for
-nyseif, even at ste risk of exposing myself to
10 a;tack, for ] ~as yourg ard strong, and If
n 81 nan designed evil he should meet with
8 resistance be little anticipated. So, in order
70 leave ,he old man at leisurs to carry out his
,lesians, whsiever they might be, l began
htea. hing loudly and regularly, while watching
-bim carefully through my half closed eyelids.s
The Jew remsined for a while observing me,
4 If 70 make sure that my sleep was real but
4 En-. IS If every doubt were removed, he crept
q .,ietly back to the chimney, threw some brush.
wo5d on the glimmering charcoal, which be-
ran 10 glisten and crackle, and went to the op-
pcsi.e end of the room, where the crockery was
kept Anxiously watched him; but / must
confess that my blood appeared to stagnste.
ard an icy feeling ran down my back, when
snw him take up long cleaning knife, and
While trying its edge with his thumb, seem to
.7leasure tie distance between himself and his
victim.
AZ have told you before, believe am
any hing but q coward have stood behind q
four.foot barricade, and looked up into the
gaping muzzles of the cannon as they poured
shower of bullets on our slight defences !;
but ] am bound to say, that the present was
the most uncomfortable moment in my life.
TIE calculating vilainy of the old scoundrel,
and the simplicity with which I had entered
the snare, seemed TO render escape almost i'm.
possible. Still made up my mind to sell my
life IS dearly as possible. Fortunately had
in my pocket Spanish spring back stiletto,
generally employed in the peaceful duties of
cutting tread and cheese, German and French
knives being made, like Peter Pindar's razors,
10 sell. and not to cut, and cautiously moved
my hand 20 my bresst-pocket, and noiselessly
drew it ont. When once held it in my hand,
nv confidence returned TO me. opened it
very quietly, and then laying my left arm across
my breast, to parry the first blow, which would
probably BE- aimed there, held my knife firmly
cIutched in my hand, and awaited the attack
with ground teeth, but no failing determine.
ton. Ny heart, though, would beat 30 loudly
ard 60 violently, that feared the Jew must
hear it; but when / saw him approaching, with
the kniss cautiously held behind his back, when
l felt bis foot against my own, when he bent
over me, end felt along the wall with his left
hand, to find a spot on which TO rest it and
give his blow more certainty, my fears entirely
disappeared. Il is a well known fact, that
danger really exists only so long az it threatens
U.S. and it is robbed of more than half its terrors
when it breaks over us with undminished force.
This was inst my case; had felt terrified, and
could hardly struggle against the feeling, &C
long as the danger was drawing nearer and
nearer to me but every thought, save that oil
self defence, disappeared when knew that the
knife was directed against my heart. So soon
as he struck at me, determined to parry the
blow by means of the left arm, and the blanket
lying over it would afford me great protection
but then | would start up, and bury my knife
in The villains ribs, before be could recover
fren his surprise, or summon the dog.
should soon be able to overcome the weak old
man; and as for the brute, once on my lege,
dare say could keep him from doing me an
injury.
Such was ny line of thought, and was quite
prepared TO carry it into effect. But why did
the jew hesitate go long? He had advanced
his eft foot little, his was still supported
against the wall, yet he did not raise his othel
arm 10 strike the blow. Was he afraid?
bit my teeth mere closely together, and almos
longed for Tie decisive moment to come, so ex
cited did | feel-anythine, sc oner than endur
this horrible sus pense. Suddenly the Jew drew
back; he did not strike at me-his left arm
Quilted the wall, and be held in i'll hsrdl
knew whether ! was awake or dreaming-th'
same leaf from which l had previously beef
eating. He walked with it to the fire, cut Ct
hunch with The fearful long knife, laid tn,
remainder on the chimney board, and, afte
poking up The wood FIRE till it threw brillian
light ever the room, he began quietly eating
-Hilhagt troubling .kuGssH any sagthsr. about ~
stone bad been relied eff my cheet-and la
for lcpg while in sort of dreamy condition
hardly able TO realize this state Of perfect secu
rity following closely on the danger which hat
fsncied so shortly before had menaced me.
really began to feel ashamed Of the cruel in
justice had done, though only in thought, to
man who had so Hospitality entertained me; an,
almoet telt inclined to jump up and tell hin
of my foolish suspicions. But no-that woul
not dc; he would laugh at me. Still felt
must &C something, if only to reconcile my owl
conscience. i therefore shut up my knife a
quietly as possible, returned it to my pocket
and then, pretending TO wake from a dee
sleep, threw eff the blanket, took the sack
md put my feet quietly into it.
" Aha!" ehuckled my hest, who, on hearin,
my movement, turned his head quietly towar,
me; oLe's feet generally get cold of nights.
they have been vet during the CAV; but tn
sack will keep them warm enough
p" think SO, toe. l fancy it will be bette
So" replied then fell back on nv somewhs
hard pillow, drew the blanket up to nv CHR
and in few seconds had fallen into deep az
sweet sleep. When | woke the next morning
found that the sun was high in the heavens
and on the table q comfortable breakfast ha,
been laid. pretty little girl was tidying tn
room, end her presence really rendered it quit,
cheerful.
$50, sir," she said, good humoredly, /" 70,
are awake at last. Uncle did not like to disturb
yon. ] am sorry, though, you had no better
bed thGn this; but | onlV came home last nigh
from StrA bourg on visit, aud we had all gop,
to bed for the night"
The old Jew now came in, and gave me
hearty welcome. hardly had the heart to lool
him IL the face. | was then forced to sit dow
TO the breakfast table, at which the old man
sen, fne young fellow of twenty.four, joine,
rs. HeSring from him that he was going bacl
with his light cart to Suasbourg that morning
| willingly accepted his offer of accompanying
BIN. had had quite enough of adventure
for this bout, and, besides, sundry rheumati
twinges told me that / ought not to ventur
away 20 Jar from civilization, lest I might b
laid on my back 10 rustic village, and m
mourning relatives never learn where the
should set up cenotaph to my memory.
When tie light cart came up TO the door,
inquired wSat had to pay but the old Je,
eould not be induced TO accept farthing 70
the accommodation. Bed and breakfast, b
Eaid, lad both been poor enough; and shool
his lend heartily upon leaving him. And
upon my honor, in the bright sunshine, b
wasn't half such q bad looking old fellow
There Was something quite patriarchal abou
him.
Isow, dare Say, you'll all laugh very heart
lily at my etory, AID fancy must have been
great cur to let myself be frightened by an oil,
man bat rearv, even now, in writing it,
have had al uncomfortable feeling crawl owe
me ~ lie "Reminiscences It,s a cood nan