Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-02-19


short time she was in Mrs. Wingate's
house, after | became an inmate Of it,
she had remarked the materials | used,
and that a regular plan had been organ
lied 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 unperceived, had she
chosen; and that the visit to her was
paid against her will--she hag;ag no de-
sire to continue any acquaintatca with
person more than suspected elsSi8,oJbs-
ty Still, we could charge her with no.
thing but the concealnent, and after
being cautioned against placing herself
again in such situation, she was dis
charged
The story was much talked about, and
| got well quizzed by many ladies' of my
acquaintance but, after all, tho thing
might have proved no joke to me. |
remained some months longer in the
place, and before | left it heard many
accounts of threats which the woman's
male relatives had uttered against me,
for casting suspicion on innocent (D peo-
pie. ] had probably injured their bust
ness; for, fancy, after what had oc.
Cured, few parties would have been
willing to employ my nocturnal visitor
in their house
Three years had elapsed from the date
Of my adventure, and had almost for
gotten it, when business again called me
to the same town. Atfrst | only thought
Of remaining few days; but finding l
should be detained longer, | sought out
my former landlady, as--that one night
excepted had been particularly COM
Portable undor her roof. Finding my
old apartments vacant, gladly took pos
session of them second time.
During ms former stay, made many
agreeable acquaintance, and now-it
being near Christrlas-I received many
invitations to supper parties, ETC.. which
fancy were not the less numerous be-
cause / was still bachelor.
On Christmas-eye ! accepted one, to
spend it with friend at his fathers
house, where there was very large aud
charming family of sons and daughters
The father was fine, ioyial old fellow,
and the mother just the cheerful, but
eyen-tempered, gentle soul, who alone
could bring up such girls as hers. w
had glorious evening.
All sorts Of glorious Christmas fur
was carried on, and | kissed pretty girl.
under the mistletoe, until either with
that pleasant exercise, or with quenchinq
the thirst it excited, became slightly
elevated. was to dine there next day,
and my friends would fain have persua-
ded me to stay all night; but was de-
termincd TO return to my lodgings, as !
knew Mrs. Wingate would situp for me.
1t was past midnight when | babe my
kind entertainers good night, and with a
hasty, but not too steady step, set cut on
my homeward journey.
L was soon at home and in bed Mrs
Wingatc had more than once laughed
about the odd figure | cut on the occa-
sion of my old adventure She had also
informed me that the two men who had
played the street part, had been since de-
tectcd whilst attempting to commit a
burglary, and imprisoned for twelve
months; but were now at liberty. The
good lady manifested no small uneasness
on my account, and cautioned me to be
very careful not to give them an oppor-
tunity Of executing their threats Of ven
geancc against me
Her evident timidity and anxiety only
excited my mirth, but / was, ncyerthe-
less, careful to examine the fastcnings Of
my door, and always both locked and
boltod it,
When reached my lodgings on Christ
mas eve ! was, as ! said, little elevated
and, contrary to my usual custom, on
getting into bed, could not sleep.
began to think over the amusements
of the evening, criticising the fair faces
| had been so close to, wishing / had
such cheerful home; Specializing as to
my chance Of success in the event Of my
asking one Of the said fair damsols to
part with her name in favor Of mine,
aud 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 sud-
den check was given to the current Of
my ideas / heard q sort Of grating
sound, and then felt certain some one was
moving stcalthily up the kitchen stairs,
At first ! was a little alarmed, imagining
thieves we're in the house, and then
pshaw thought / Mrs. Wingate has
been sitting up later than usual, to finish
her Christmas pudding 1t is rather
singular that my former adventure did
not then enter my mind; though it had
occurred on that very spot | listened
again The footsteps were certainly au-
dible, close 10 my room door-a hand
was on the lock--it turned-thoy were
stealing along the floor Of my apartment
i became sensible Of the presence Of
two persons-and now ! felt all the hor-
rors Of my situation. Every iota Of what
had formerly happened there, the mena-
ces Of the two fellows who had then,
doubtless, been disappointed Of their
prey, and the thought Of my own power
lessness 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 neglected the precaution
Of securing the door Of my room, almost
for the FIRST timo in my life within my