Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-02-09

lie turned 10 the flgnt, anu alter Walking sew
eral blocks, crossed over and entered broad
and handsome street.
ssDo you know where we are ?'' whispered.
ssNot IL answered Jane, in the same tone,
ain one of the worst streets Of the city of
course. Such a woman could not live any
where else.''
l trembed and took her arm.
ssYou can 60 back if you choose, Emma"
said sister-in-law, disdainfully. ssBut l will
never turn until have convicted the base
man of his perfdy.''
As turning back was utterly impossible, un-
less Tom did so, as neither Of us bad the slight
est idea of onr whereabouts. l did not avail
myself OF this permission. By and by our IN
conscious guide began to grow bewildered
He crossed and recroSsed, ascended steps,
came down again, and at last turned into
dim enlightened street. As we followed look
ing anxiously in the direction where Toms
hat dimly visible, we forgot to pick our
way with that care which the state of the side
walks rendered necessary .and just in the dark
est part, down We came plump into a bed of
mortar, left by some workmen in front of an
unfinished house. We scrambled ont as quick
ly as could, and followed in the direction
Tom had taken.
Tom apparently began TO feel sure OF his 10
caliiy. We were now in well lighted street,
and in few moments stood in the full blaze
Of light which fell from a brilliantly lighted
mud aud mortar to very knees. The few
people we passed stared at us as though we
were Turks; and if poor Tom, walking un-
consciously before US, could have seen US
believe he would have tainted. l made sol
emn league and covenant with myself that
night that il | ever got out of this Scrape, no
power on earth should invcigle me into such
another.
At length Tom paused before very pretty
cxstage like house, with green shrubhery in
the garden, and pleasant light falling softly
through the curtaned windows; and after
few moments Investigation, lie ascended the
steps. The sound of music and merry voices
foated out upon the air as the door was open-
cd. \ woman's form bowed graceful well
come at the vinc-wreathed Threshold, and
Tom vanished from our eyes.
son, Emma 20 sobbed poor sister-in law
GLOW awful That bold creature! Did you
see the roses in her hair, and those jeweled
bracelets? No doubt Tom gave them to her.
Ny Tom On dear who would have believ-
ed it No matter, it's all over, and I'll show
him what an injured woman can do and say
We stood during this soliloquy in the shad-
on OF dark stone church nearly opposite the
house which Tom had entered. The shutters
were open, and the gay scene within was only
hidden from our sight by the glossy folds of
lace which draped the windows. The clouds
which had been lowering all day long were
gathering in black windy masses above our
heads, and presently crash of thunder was
heard, and down poured the rain in absolute
torrents, drenching us 10 the skin.
Oh, how miserable were, standing there
in the rain that dark dreadful nighti
The STERN passed over before long and just
as the last drop had fallen, the door Of the
house opposite opened and Tom, with lady
on his arm, emerged therefrom. As soon as
the door had closed, and the couple wele suf-
fciently in advance we followed. Toms voics
began the conversation.
81 had forgotten the number, "she said. ssand
had some difficulty in finding the house,
s'Why," answered the woman, .'didn't you
get the note L left Tor you 70
''No," replied Tom, 81 have received no
note to-day"
"Why, where can it have gone to 2'' ex-
claimed the lady. 81 put it on your Office ta-
BILE with my own hands,
s'Euna, I know that woman'S voice 3" whis-
pered terin-law. 81 am sure l have heard
it before. ! can't think who it is, but 1 know
her."
Just as she spoke, party of young men
very much the worse for liqGor came stumb-
ling around the corner, singing 'BonHv Annie
Laurie,'' in that peculiar style in vogue by
those who "make night hideouS" after oyste-
suppcrs or genial Assem- blages, where the rosy
wine had been freely circulated-the first gem
t!eman bowling the first verse, while the Sec
ond gentleman shricked the chorus, and The
third contentcd himself by repeating "Annic
Laurie'' in melancholy tones.
"There she is - hiccupped one of the trio.
ssThere's Bonny Annie Laurie! That's her,
I'm going TO kiss her.
Oh oh - sh-ieked sister-i in-law. 'sTom {!
Help murder come quick! Tom | say it
is your iil-used, il-treated, deceived wife,
Tom turned in great astonishment, and came
towards us. The two gentlemen went very has
tily around the corner, and the third fell down
an open area, whore his companions left him.
s'Jase-Emma Why, how on earth did
you come here ?'' cried Tom.
"Dont speak to me - said sister-in-law I;
ssWretch ! villain don't dare TO speak to me
AS for YOU, woman, know that your abom ina
BILE letter is in possession of an injured wife
You are in my power, base, vile scorpion that
you are But this mucL l will know; how
long has this infamous proceeding been car
ried on How long is it since you won my
husbands affections from my Trusting heart
have followed you all night to find out this,
and also. who you are, for ! am sure | have
heard your voice before. Speak, L COM
mand you !"
claws massy % rpplied the lady dimly
dscernable in the darkness-'iLaws massy, L
can't speak for astonishment. / don't like to
think such a thing of my own daughter, but
really you must have been taking something
that's got into your head, Jane, or else you
are going craZyi'
ssGood gracious'' screamed slster-in-law,
ssif il isn't mother"
e.Why, who else should it be ?' said the old
lady, ssDidn't you hear me tell Tom TO come
after me tonight, as | wasn't sure | could
find my way home myself9 And just as
was starting, was afraid he'd forget the num-
her so | wrote him little note telling him
where to come"
nYe,,n ppt in-I couldn't help it i: N es
,nd tbst very noie Eas caused this ridiculous,
shameful gscapadc. On the strength of that
little slip of paper ne have been following