Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1860-01-28
A True story.

"A leW years ago, as a gentleman, whom
we sh all call Davenport was Que evening
about dusk, riding slowly into the little
town of C., he was startled from a re.
verie in which he was at the moment in
dulging by youthful figure which bound
ed from the parapet aud seized the bride
of his horse. His first impulse was augel
at what he considered either a malicious ol
impertinent interruption but the delicate
face, slight figure, and, more than all, the
pleading and agitated expression which he
observed in the countenance Of the youth
irresistably attracted his attention. and i'm
PEELED him to draw bis rein, and request
mildly, to know the cause of au action SO
unexpected.
In timid and tremulouS tones, & in terms
in which the incoherence of extreme agita.
tion was painfully apparent, the stranger
informed Davenport that he had some time
waited in anxious hope of seeing some indi
vidnal whose respectablity of appearance
might pass for a guarantee Of his honor,
aud whom, in consequence, he might have
courage to address In a brief aud hur-
ried manner he informed Davenport that
he feared pursuit from some enemy, aud
mplored to be conveyed to some place of
safety. There was something in the tones
of his voice which was at once tremulous
and spirited; but that spirit seemed sub
dned by nervous alarm and fearfulness,
which seemed almost effeminate.
As he spoke, Davenport felt growing
interest for which he could scarcely account
He requested the youth to walk by his side
as far as the inn, where he limited that q
further explanation would be necessary.
And it, proceeded he you satisfy me-
that shall not be acting improperly, you
may command my services
Having given his horse to the care of q
groom, Davenport entered the inn, follow
ed by the youth, and Immediately desired
to be shown 60 private room.
We'll, SIR said he, as soon as the waiter
had Withdrawn, will you now obige me by
telling me how far may he of service to
You, and in what way But l beg par.
don; you seem fatigued Pray, sir, be
seated. Shall l call for some refreshments?
The youth stood pale, apparently irreso-
lutte, and evidently distracted, while the
heaving of his breast betrayed violeut emo
ton. At length he raised his head and eS
sayed TO speak The effort was too much;
his lips quivered; the tears which had gath
cred in his eyes overaowed; the Intended
articulation burst, and was broken in un
controllable signs and convulsive sobs, and
sinking back into chair, be covered hi.
face with bis hands and burst into violent
hysterical passion Of weeping.
Davenport was amazed. What in Hea
veu's name, can be. the cause of this eX
cessive grief p said he. | beSeech you tC
to confde it to me; and, il it admit Of con
! ISOLATION, / swear to do my utmost to as
suage it, aud to promote your happiness.
! The stranger returned a look OF gratitude
and made strong efforts to control his emo
tons. He arose and advanced towards
Davenport, and, in performing this action
his hat, which he had not hitherto removed
and which Davenport had remarked was
worn rather awkwardly, slipped from his
| head, and down fell, in clustering profusioI
black as the wing Of raven, the glossy
curls of female. Davenport started anC
uttered an exclamation of ast0nishment.-
He was not less struck with the revelation
which this slight accident had effected tha
with the sparkling and highly characters
tic beauty of the being who stood befor
him. A thousand thoughts flashed, wit
the quickness and eyanescence of lightHin
through his brain, as he tried to catch
glimpse of the meaning of an adventure S
strangely romantic. Self is always so pr'
dominant in the best regulated minds, tina
the leading idea, as prompted by this van
", seemed to ask him if such disguise q
this were the result of some unknown al
tachment to himself These thoughts, how
ever, were but the tumultuous crowding G
few seconds.
/ Meanwhile, the stranger, seeing hersel
discovered, stood confused and agitated.-
Burning bushes of conscious improprlet.
suffused her lovely cheeks, which were, th
next instant, with rsEGlsion of feelings, pal
and bloodless as alabaster; and such seem
ed the overpowering nature of her emotion
that if Davenport had not stepped forwar'
and caught her, she would have fallen 4
the floor. -..,.
Tell me, said he, ] beseeeh you, an
tell me calmly and candidly, who are you