Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-11-04

ment to be able to see his face; but what
with my own head being downward. and all
his weight hanging on my arms, had no
more power than an infant. e, s>
.sJohn," I exclaimed, ''what do you
mean? Catch hold of the pole, and let me
do the same. My heads on fre!'' Il lIt'
''Do you see this ?" said he catching my
arm few inches higher up, and looking
right into my face. DO you see this I" 81
It was large, open clasp knife, and he
was holding it with his teeth. His breath
seemed to hiss over the cold blade. '6.'5 :
Il bought it this evening had it in
my belt-I waited till theclouds came round,
and there was no soul to see, Presently T.
shall cut you away from the balloon. l.
took an oath that you should not have her.
and I mean to keep it. @ ~,
A dimness came over my eyes, and every }
thing grew red. I felt that in another mi
mute I should be insensib1e. He thought I
was SO already, and letting my arm free,
made spring at the pole over my head.
That spring saved me. Our wrists We're
drawn together, and as he rose he drew me,
along with him, for was so frint and gid,
dy that I could make no effort for myself.
/ I saw him hold by the pole with his left
hand saw him take the knife in the right;
I felt the cold steel pass between his wrist
and mine, and then e flr59&',sS1
And then the horror of the moment gave
me back my strength, and clnng to the
frame work just as the strap gave ways q,
We were separated now, and was still
secured to the trapeze by one ankle. He,
had only his arm to trust to d-the knife.
Oh, the deadly strife that followed It
sickens me to think of it. His only hope
now lay in the cursed weapon /: and so,
Iclinging to the woodwork with one hand he,
strove to stab me with the other.
It was life or death now, and grew des-
perate. To feel his murderous clutch upon
my throat, and in the silence Of that hide
Gus struggle, to hear the report Of a cham
pagne cork, followed by peal Of careless
laughter overhead. Oh, it was worse than
death, hundred times over!
cannot tell how long we clung thus,
each with hand upon the others throat.
It may have been only a few seconds, but
seemed like hours to me. The question
was simply, who should be strangled first.
Presently his gripe relaxed, his lips be-
came dead white, and a shudder ran through
every fibre in his body. He had turned.
giddy. .1..,
Then cry burst through him-a cry
like nothing human. He made false,
clutch at the trapeze and reeled over. I
caught him just in time by the belt around
his waist. es2s9s
ssIt is all over with me he groaned be-
tween his teeth ..It's all--over with me!
Take your revenge p Then his head fell
heavily back, and he hung dead weighton
my arm.
| did take my revenge; but it was hard
work, and was already half exhausted. -
How contrived to hold him up, to ,unbind
my foot, and to crawl, SO laden, up the
ropes is more than can tell but nv pres
ence of mind never failed me for an instant.
and I suppose the excitement gave me a
sort Of false strength while it lasted. At
all events did it, though now only re-
member climbing over the basket-work, and
seeing the faces of the gentlemen all turned
upon me as sank to the bottom of the cur.
scarcely more alive than the burden in my
arms
He is penitent man 1low-an Australian
settle:-and, as am told, well to do in
those parts. ~
This is my story, and have no more to
tell. ais
PRETTY GooD.-Old Rip Van Winkle has
generally sustained herself very well, in the
encounter of border jokes and wits which
have SO long involved her with her neighbor,
the ''Old Dominion" she is therefore ex-
pected to come back on the perpetrator of
the following: ~
A good story is told by Gen. Bayly, of
Virginia. Never having suffered himself
to be done by that notorious character Beau
Hickman, who is very much Of wag and
a genius in his way, the General was ac-
costed by Beau on the Avenue. the other
evening, for quarter" and by the way
of persuader called for it in the name of Old
Virginia, and as Virginian. Isaa
ssHow dare you allyourself Virginian
to me, Beau, when / know you to be North
Caroiinian," said the General. ..Now, In
stead of quarter I will give you dollar
if you will never again call yourself Vir-
ginian. but will call yourself what you are,
a North Carolinian. !"
General" replied Beau, ''do you think
I'd call myself North Carolinian for onc
dollar! Nos can't take it." 4a
The story as I heard it, was told to .
member from North Carolina; which was q
part of the cream of the joke. ~
sWere you ever in Cork; sill? % was Foote asked
one day. .atsa|sa
And the actor replied in his humorous way,
That though N most cities. of note he had been,