The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1861-03-21
u should like to know" said thc student.

open window; ! fell out Of one once, almost
as high as this; some fools said | jumped;
they didn't know the state ofmy mental thcr
momcter; | did. Don't eye that door too
hard, young fellow, or ] may find YOU more
rapid exit. However, you needn't be uneasy;
the window is shut; it is five years since the
doctors discharged me-cWed! I'll tell YOU
how that charming creature became the
housckcepcr at our place, Her mother was
/ widow the two lived in little cottage on
the outskirts of our estate; they we're very
poor, but the girl gave promise Of great beau
IT, and my father always said that if his wife
was we'll, he would adopt her; her name was
Emily. But somehow, my mother continued
sicli--thcy said, in her chamber l never
| could tell where her chamber was, however;
it must have been outside the house, built
like pigeon-box, and there she was locked
up, and my father kept the key Well, at
last Emily came very often to our house. |
was grown lad, then, of fifteen, very shy
and sensitive; held rule in the household,
though, young as I was. There was look
/ could put on, like this"
The student sprang to his feet, his face
horror-stampcd.
"Frightens you, don't it, asked the ma
MAC, an awful smile hcightcning the diabol-
ical intensity of his expression; well, it did
them, and couldmake every soul Of them do
as pleased. Why, one day made old joe
my fathers butler, walk on his head from
four clock in the morning till five in the af
ternoon. You never saw man more rcd
in the face; but he did it,
"You-were talking-about your house
keeper, sir" said the student, timidly.
"Call her houSckcepcr on the peril of your
life !" shouted the maniac, his eyes the color
of glowing Goals "Disparage that glorious
work of perfection, if you dare, in my pres
ence! True, she was poor, but she was
faultleSs True, she was humble, butas pure
as the white alabaster Nothing mean could
live in her presence; you, youngpuppy, would
have wilted before her like a cabboge-leaf in
the sun" And an imprccation of fierce
scorn leaped to his lips.
If sword point had been placed towards
his breast, and his heart thrust through for
the offence, the student could not have for
borne the laugh that sprang to his lips at the
imprccation--the comparison, and the sud
denncss with which his tormentor changed
from the sublime to the ridiculous. The frown
gradually faded away from the brow of the
madman, and he too laughed, long, loud and
heartily; so loudly, so shrilly, that the noise
attracted attention, and there came knock
at the door. ....
Come in!' shouted the student, thinking
that the time of his liberation had arrived.
Stay out!" yelled the madman, "if you
want whole head Silence, sirl'' he said
sternly, turning to the young man, who, now
that he found himself wholly in his power,
began to change color. 81 want to finish
my story he added, in the most winning
voice, with the most polite inclination
Emily came to the house You understand
that my mother was secured, chained down,
locked up Emily in some measure took her
place. From the first day she came loved
her, not with an ordinary love, but wildly,
madly, irrcvocably, absorbingly. l did moth
ing, not even think, but for her. o, l can
see her now, in that delicate robe, running
about so gracefully, so gently. | see the
smile on her lip, the light in her eye, the
crown of mostbeauteous womanhood gracing
her fair brow-Emily, my own, my murdered
Emily he cried, rising and stretching forth
his arms, and lifting his imporing eyes
heavenward. Somebody toldme once--who
waSit2 forget now--that l should meet
her again Never She will walk above
with shining garments; I shall walk below"
He started, stared wildly, snufed the air, as
he asked, in tone Of alarm-"Do l smell
onionsY ..
The transition was irresistibly comic; a.
gain the student could not forbear laughing.
"Do you intend to insult me p And now
the eye glared with fury, and the hand was
thrust with a menance under his coat at the
breast
81 beg your pardon!' cried the student,
feeling that his hour was come.
Down on your knees then, dogT
The poor fellow tumbled to his knees, and
for some moments his tyrant kept him there,
gazing down at him with tragic air. AT
last he released him, and the Young man,
covered with the sweat of terror, sank into
his chair, more dead than alive.
Il must tell you more of my Emily. One
night, in the dead dark waste, l thought /
heard her voice; it seemed to be sounding in
cries and Shrieks. Isprang from my bed and
hurried to that part of the house where l
knew she slept. What Gend sent my father
to me then ? He came across the hall some
thing told me that his visit was treachery;
that he was q devil, and not my father; so l
struck him, and he never spoke again. You
see can do both my father and my grand
father again if I choose. Well, they buried
me. y continued the madman. p.
Buried him. you mean said the student