Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-07-15

had been particularly comfortable unde
her roof. Ending my old apartments va
cant, l gladly took possession Of them
second time.
During my former stay, l made man,
agreeable acquaintance, and now-it be
ing near christmas-I received many invi
tations to supper parties, DC, which | fan
ey were not the less numerous because
was still bachelor.
On Christmas eve l accepted one, Il
spend it with friend at his house, wher
there was a very large and charming fami
ly of sons and daughters. The father wa
a fine jovial old fellow, and the mothe
Just the cheerful, but even-tempered, gen
tie soul, who alone could bring up sucl
girls as hers. We had a glorious evening
All sorts of joyous Christmas fun was
carried on, and l kissed pretty girls unde
the mistletoe until, either with that pleas
ant exercise, or with quenching the thirs
it excited, | became slightly elevated.
was to dine there next day, and my friend.
would fain have persuaded me TO stay al
night; but was determined to return tc
my lodgings, as l knew Mrs. WingatC
would sit up for me. 1t was past mid
night when l bid my kind entertainer:
goodnight, and with hasty, but not toe
steady step, set out on my homeward jour
ney.
L was soon at home in bed. Mrs. Win
gate had more than once laughed about
the odd figure l cut on the occasion of my
old adventure. She also informed me that
the two men who had played the stree,
part, had been since detected whilst at
tempting to commit a burglary, and i'm
prisoned for twelve months, but were now
at liberty. The good lady manifested nc
small uneasiness on my account, and eau
toned me to be very careful not to give
them any opportunity of executing theil
threats of vengeance against me.
Her evident timidity and anxiety only
excited my mirth, but l was nevertheless,
careful to examine the fastenings of my
door, and always both lock and bolt it.
When I reached my lodgings on Christ
mas eve, l was as l said little eleUated,
and contrary to my usual custom, on get
ting into bed, could not sleep.
| began to think over the amusements
of the evening, criticising the fair faces l
had been so close to, wishing | had such a
cheerful home; speculating as 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, at any rate, should be a guest
at the same place on the morrow. The
clock struck two, and found my thoughts
still busy; but sudden check was given
to the current of my ideas. heard a sort
of grating sound, and then felt certain some
one was moving stealthily up the kitchen
stairs. At first | was a little alarmed,
thieves were in the house, and
then-pshaw! thought l, Mrs. Wingate
had been sitting up later than usual, finish
her Christmas pudding. 1t is rather sin
gular that my former adventure did not
then enter my mind; though it had oc-
Cured in that very spot. listened again.
The footsteps. certainly audible, close to
my room door-a hand was on the lock-
it turned-they were stealing along the
floor to my apartment-became sensible of
the presence Of two persons-and now L
felt all the horrors of my situation. Eve
ry iota of what had formerly happened
there, the menances of the two fellows who
had them, doubtless, been disappointed of
their pray, and the thought of my own
powerlessness nearly drove me mad.
Fool, idiot, that | was-I had in my
tipsy folly rushed upon my fate.
had refused the cordial invitation which
would have secured me from all danger,
and had even neglected the precaution of
securing my room, almost for the first time
within my recollection. / became aware
Of dim light; and partially opening my
eyes, l perceived two rascals fumbling
about lantern. l am not ashamed to
own l was perfectly paralyzed with terror
and utterly incapable of doing anything
indeed, what could l do? l saw them re-
move the candle from the lantern, and con-
vert my ink-stand into a candlestick. One
lighting the gas, but the other
objected, that if disturbed he might be
Hurried, and turned into the wrong way
They then, with singular quickness and
lexterity, ransacked my desk and case,
which they opened by means of skeleton
KEYS. This done, and the plumber tied in
a handkerchief, the younger of the two sug-
gested, with an oath, that they should fin
ISL him.
He approached my bed, drew aside the
and, though l burst not look, l
felt he was gazing in my face. Again he
turned aside, and felt fumbled in his pock-
It as if in search of something.
had hoped all along that by feigning
sleep l might escape, for knew, should
struggle ensue, could not escape, since
hey were powerful men, and quite un-
armed. Whilst he was feeling in his pock
1t, | could not help stealing my hand up
% my throats thinking at the same time,
now little chance there was that it be used
rs vehicle for Christmas cheer. Guess
my horror, if you can, when the elder
'coundrel, in an impatient tone, bade his
son ''make haste if he meant to do it, and
not keep him waiting there all night"
Ihe young man tumbled over the arti-
lies that had been displaced in their search
orplunder, and, not finding what he sought
inquired with an oath, what his father had
lone with the knife. At first the latter
seemed puzzled, and then informed his son,
With an equally elegant expletive, that he
1ad left it on the pantry shelf down below.
The younger, bitterly cursing him, for
greedy fool, who must begin TO eat before
he work was done, bade him fetch it.
"Well. Bill,n replied his parent. athat