Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-08-14


said my landlady had forbidden her coming
; into the house, but being friendly with tie
other servant, she ventured to visit her.
Whilst talking in the kitchen, she hear(
, the mistress approaching, and fearing discov
ery, stole up stairs, crept into my roOm ant
hid herself below the bed, intending to leave
the house when all was quiet. My early en-
trance cut off her escape, and she supposed
she had fallen asleep as she remembered moth
ing more till aroused by loud fit oflaughter
This seemed plausible enough, and but fol
the sequel would have passed on very well
As we were about to dismiss her, with eau
ton not to repeat her visit, the door-bel rang
and We found policeman waiting for admit
tance. He stated that passing short time
before, he observed one of the front windows
hastily opened Something was thrown out
and then it was as quickly shut. After a
short search he found very large and sharp
Spanish knife, which, he presumed, was the
article thrown from the window. He also
observed two fellows of suspicious appea-
rance, lettering about the place, and dscov-
character, who got good living-nobody
knew how. He had warned them away, and
returned to see if anything were amiss in the
house.
On being informed of my visitor and her
tale, he expressed a wish to see her, and at
once recognized her as the daughter Of the
elder, and sister to the younger man he had
dismissed.
Instead of liberating the woman, as we
thought Of doing, we deemed it prudent to
give her into custody. No one present at
her examination entertained doubt that
during the shor- time she was in Mrs. Win
gates house, after became an inmate of it,
she had remarked the materials had used,
and that q regular plan had been organized
to rob, and perhaps murder me.
The other servant also deposed on oath,
that her hiding in my room was needless, as
she had abundant time to leave the house
unpcrceived, had she chosen ; and that the
visit to her was paid against her will-she
having no desire to continue any acquaint-
ance with person more than suspected of
dishonesty. Still, we could charge her with
nothing but the concealment, and after being
cautioned against placing herself again in such
a stuatiOn she was discharged.
The story was much talked about, and
got well quizzed by many ladies of my ac-
quaintance E; but after all, the thing migut
have proved 10 joke to me. l remained
ooiuC iiOubtlS Ill tuC pltiCC: dul OCiOlC lCIC IL
heard many accounts of threats which the
woman's male relatives had uttered against
me, for casting suspicion on innocent (?) peo-
pie. l had probably injured their business !;
for fancy after what had occurred, few par
ties would be willing to employ any nocturn-
al vsitor 10 their houses.
Three years elapsed from the deate Of my
adventure, and | had almost forgotten il,
u,,,o,, 1,- b.,
town. AT first | only thought of remaining
ed longer, ! sought out my former landlady
particularly comfortable under her roof
Finding my old apartments vacant, gladly
took possession OF them a second time.
During my former stay, | made many agree
able acquaintances, and now-it being near
Christmas received many invitations to
supper parties, &c, which l fancy were not
the less numerous because was still bache-
lor.
On Christmas eve accepted one, to spend
it with a friend at his house, where there was
a very large and charming family of sons and
daughters: The father was a fine .jovial old
fellow, and the mother just the cheerful, but
evcntempered, gentle soul, who alone could
bring up such girls as hers. We had a glori-
Gus evening.
All sorts of Joyous Christmas fun was car
ried on, and kissed pretty girls under the
mistletoe until, either with that pleasant ex-
ercise, or with quenching the thirst it excited
| became slightly elevated. was to dine
there next day. and my friends would fain
have persuaded me to stay all night but
was determined to return to my lodgings, as
l knew Mrs. Wingatc would sit up for me.
1t was past midnight when bid my kind en-
tertainers goodnight, and with hasty, but
not too steady step,set out on my homeward
journey.
was soon at home and in bed Mrs.
Winga'e 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 played the street part
had been since detected whilst attempting to
commit q burglary, and imprisoned for
twelve months, but were now at liberty
The good lady manifested no small uneasiness
on my account, and cautioned me to be very
careful not to give them any opportunity ,.of
executing their threats of vengeance against
me.
Her evident timidty and anxiety only OK
cited my mlrth, but was nevertheless, care
lul to examine the fastening of my or, and
always both lock and bolt it.
When reached my lodgings on Christ
mas eve, Was, as | said, a little eleUated, and
contrary to my usual custom, on getting into
bed, could not sleep.
/ began to think over the amusements of
the evening, crticisng the fair faces l had
been SO close to, wishing such cheeef full
home speculating to my chance of success
in the event of my asking one of the said fair
laiHsels to part with her name in favor of
mine, and thanking my stars, that any rate,
| should be 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 stealthy up the kitchen
stairs. At first was little alarmed, imag-
ining thieves were in the house, and then
pshaw thought l., Mrs. Wingate had been
sitting up later than usual, to finish her
Cristmas pudding. 1t is rather singular that
my former adventure did not then enter my
mind; though it had occurred in that very
spot. I listened again. The footsteps, GER
tainly audible, close to my room door-a
hand was on the lock-t turned-they were
stealing along the floor to my apartment-I
became sensible of the presence of two per-
sons-and now felt all the horrors of my
situation. Every iota of what had formerly
happened there, the menaces of the two fell
lows who had then doubtless, been disap-
pointed of their prey, 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, aud
had even neglected the precaution of secur-
ing my room, almost for the first time within
my recollection. l bcame aware of dim
light and partially opening my eyes, 1 per-
, ceived two rascals fumbing about lantern
| am not ashamed to own I was perfectly