The Kanzas news., 1858-11-13

cutting bread ana cheese, German ana
French knives being made, like Peter Pin
dar's razors, to sell, and not to cut. and I
cautiously moved my hand to my breast
pocket, and noiselessly drew it out. When
l once held it in my hand, my 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, I held my knife
firmly clutched in my hand. and awaited
the attack with ground teeth, but no failing
determination. My heart, though. would
beat so loudly and so violently, that fear
ed the Jew must hear it; but when | saw
him approaching, with the knife cautiously
held behind his back. when felt his foot
against my own, when he bent over me,
and felt along the wall with his left hand,
to find spot on which to rest it and give
his blow more certainty, my fears entirely
disappeared. It is we'll known fact, that
danger really exists only SO long as it
threatens US, and it is robbed of more than
half its terrors when 1t breaks over US with
undiminished force. This was just my
case; bad felt terrified, and could hardly
struggle against the feeling, so long as the
danger was drawing nearer and nearer to
me; but every Thought, save that of self
defence, disappeared when I knew that the
knife was directed against my heart. So
soon as be 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 he could recover from his surprise.
or summon the dog. / should soon be able
to overcome the weak old man and as for
the brute, once on my legs. dare say I
could keep him from doing me any injury.
Such was my line of thought, and was
quite prepared to carry it into effect. But
why did the Jew hesitate so long? He had
advanced his left foot little, his arm was
still supported against the wall, yet he did
not raise his other arm TO strike the blow.
Was he afraid bit my teeth more closely
together, and almost longed for the decisive
moment to come, so excited did I feel
anything, sooner than endure this horrible
suspense. Suddenly the Jew drew back
he did not strike at me j; his left arm quilted
the wall, and he held in it, hardly knew
whether was awake or dreaming-the same
loaf from which had previously been eat
ing. He walked with it to the FIRE, cut off
a hunch with the fearful long knife, laid the
remainder on the chimney board, and, after
poking up the wood fire till it threw a bril-
liant light over the room, he began quietly
eating. without troubling himself any fur
ther about my presence
drew a deep breath-it was as if a large
stone had been rolled off my chest-and I
lay for long while in a sort of dreamy
condition, hardly able to realize this state of
perfect security following closely on the
danger which had fancied so shortly be-
fore had menaced me. I really began to
feel ashamed of the cruel injustice I had
done, though only in thought, to man who
had so Hospitality entertained me and Il
almost felt inclined to jump up and tell him
of my foolish suspicious. But no-that
would not do; he would laugh at me. Still
felt | must do something, if only to re-
concie my own conscience. I therefore
shut up my knife as quietly as possible,
returned 1t TO my pocket, and then, pre-
tending to wake from deep sleep, I threw
off the blanket, took the sack, and put nv
feet quietly into it.
'' ''.Aha!' chuekled my host, who, on
hearing my movement, turned his head qui
ely toward me; zones feet generally get
cold of nights, if they have been wet during
the day; but the sack will keep them warm
enough
Il think so, too. fancy it will be better
so,'' replied then fell back on my some
what hard pillow, drew the blanket up to
my chin, and in few seconds had fallen
into a deep and sweet sleep. When woke
the next morning, found that the sun was
high in the heavens. and on the table COM
Portable breakfast had been laid. A pretty
I:.tlo Il 80 IL
presence really rendered it quite cheerful
$50, sir. she said, good humoredly.
'you are awake at last. Uncle did not like
10 distur you. am sorry, though. you
had no better bed than this but / only
came home last night from Strasbourg on q
visit ,and we had all gone to bed for the night"
The old Jew now came in, and gave me 8
hearty welcome. hardly had the heart TO
look him in the face. I was then forced to
sit down to the breakfast table. at which the
old mans son, fine young fellow of TWEEN |
tyfour, joined US. Hearing from him that
he was going back with his light cart to
Strasbourg that morning, / willingly accept |
ed his offer of accompanying him. had
had quite enough of adventures for this |
bout, and, besides, sundry rheumatic twinges |
told me that ought not to venture awsy so |
Ear from civilization. lest might be laid on |
nv back in a rustic village, and my mourn |
ing relatives never learn where they should /
set up ceDotaph to my memory.
When the light cart came up to the door. |
inquired what had 70 pay; but the old |
Jew could not be induced to accept . far |
thing for the accommodation. Bed and |
breakfast, he said, had both been poor
enough and ] shook his hand heartily |
on leaving him. And, upon my honor, in |
the bright sunshine, ne Wasn's half such q |
bad looking old fellow. There was some
thing pstriarchal about him.
Now. dare say. you'll all laugh very
heartily at my story. and fancy must have