The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-10-14
THE UNIoNrIT MUST BBPREsERvED ;IP,E IS VIZ

cy were not the less Numerous because ]
was still bachelor. !, -s,,'z -.-.s.,s ,-i
On Christmas eve l acoepted one, to en-
joy il with afriend at his house, where there
was d very large and charming family Of
sons and daughters. The father was ins
ioyial old fellow, and the mother was just
the cheerful, hut even. .tsmpersd. gentle soul
who alone could bring up such girls ss hers.
We had q glorious evening. ..a' = . '.st'ss5, p,
ALI sorts Of Joyous Chsifmss fun vas car.
ried on and.I akissed pretty girls under the
mistletoe until, either with that pleasant ex.
ercise, or with quench ing the thirst II excit-
ed, became slightly elevated. was to
dine there sext day, and my friends would
fain have persuaded me to stay oil night
but / was determined to return to my lodg.
ings, as knew Mrs. Wingate would sit up
for me. 1t was midnight when l bid my
kind entertainers all good night, and with .
hasty, but not too steady step, set out on my
homewurd journey. ''''5 i,1,+ N ., Ls.. '. . ~ .
/ was soon at home and in bed. Mrs.
Wingate had more than once laughed about
the odd figure cut, on the occasion Of my
old adventure. She also informed me that
the two men who had plsyed the street part,
had been since detected whilst attempting
to commit BURGLARY, nnd imprisoned for
twelve months, but were now at liberty
The good lady manifested no small unessi-
ness on my account and cautioned me to be
very careful not to give them any opportu.
nifty Of executing their threats Of vengeance
against me. au4C gss5 ss}ze.s. . .aasa.-.
Her evident timidity and anxiety only ex.
cited my mirth, but was nevertheless care.
full to examine the fastening of my door. and
always both lock and bolt il. ara a#g1s:
When reached my lodgings on Christ.
mas eve. I was, as I said, little elevated,
and contrary to my usual custom, on getting
into bed, could not sleep. . .,af- sab
/ began to thing over the amusements OF
the evening, criticising the fair faces l had
been so close to, wishing Thad such cheer.
full home specializing 10 to my chance Of
success in the event Of my asking one Of
the said fair damsels to part with her name
in favor Of mine, and thanking my stars,
that, any rate, should be a guest at the
same place on the morrow. The clock had
struck two, and yet found my thoughts still
busy /; but sudden check was given to the
current OF my ideas. heard sort Of grot-
ing sound, and then felt certain some one
was moving stealthily up the kitchen stairs.
At first was little alarmed, imagining
thieves were in the house, and then-pshaw!
thought l, Mrs. Wingate had been setting
up later than usual, TO finish her Christmas
pudding. 1t is rather singular that my for
mer adventure did not then enter my mind /;
though it had occurred in that very spot. !
listened again. The footsteps, certainly au-
dible, were close to my room door /; hand
was on the lock-it turned-and they were
stealing along the floor to my spartment-I
became sensible Of the presence oftwo per.
sons--and now / felt all the horrors Of my
situation. Every iota Of what had formerly
happened there, the menoces Of the two fell
lows who had then, doubtless, been disap.
pointed Of their prey, and the thought OF my
own powerlessness now nearly drove me
mad. 9NE@f4 5tee a-eE2@ ai' ,''sa.d *fHat
Fool, idiot, that was-I had in my tipsy
folly rushed upon my fate.
had refused the cordial invitation which
would have sectired me from all danger, and
had even neglected the prccaution OF secur-
ing my room, almost for the first time with.
in my recollection. I became aware of a
dim light /; and partially opening my eyes,
I perceived two rascals iumblifiR about a
lantern. am not ashamed TO own I was
perfectly parulyzed with terror and Utterly
incapable Of doing anything--indeed what
could / do !! II saw them remove the candle
from the lantern, and convert myeinkstand
into candlestick. One proposed lighting
the gas, but the other objected, that il die
turbed he nigh. be furried, and turn it
the wrong way. They then, with singular
quickness and dexterity, ransacked my desk
and case, which they opened BY means Of
skeleton keys. This done and the pIunder
tied 10 handkerchief, the younger Of the
two suggested, with an oaths that they
should finish hinl. <'s "' 5.,''. s,....'.
He approached my bed, drew aside the
certains, and though durst not look, i felt
hewas gazing 10 my fate. Again he turn.
ed aside and felt and fumbled In bis pock ct
as il in search Of something: s ssa ~ =, y
had hoped all along that BY feigDing
sleep I might escape, for knew, should q
struggle ensue, could not escape, since
they were powerful men and I quite uiiafm.
ed. While he was feeling in HE pocket. i
could not help stealing my hand Up TO my
throat thinking st theasame tine. how little
chance there was that Il be ttsed % vehicle
for Christmas cheer. Guess my horror, II
you can, when the elder seoundrel, In an.
impatient tone, .bade his sOh .'fmake haste
II he meant to do il, end not keep him wait
ing there sll night" a +2,@ N <.'.. 2
The. young man tumbled over the articles
that had been displsssd In their search for
plunder. and, not finding what he sought, in.
..sa.A .AL s.aG - -. k.sI1. II