Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-02-28

me, but fierce reality"
My father smiled, as if incredulous,
yet as if be asked no drawer or better de-
fender than his boy.
At this instant my mother, very
cautious woman, heard rap at the door,
aud stepped to it, as l supposed, to in
quiro who was there, and what was
wanted, but instead opened the door, and
in camo terrible gust of wind and
snow-for the night was hideous-and
with them marched in a woman.
She walked half way from the door to
the fire, when she discovered me, and |
evidently took her aback by my presence.
| saw the creature in my dream knew
| was destined to a struggle, and | grew
in strength as | looked at my dear father
and mother. She took chair, turned
her back to the fire, and seated herself in
the shadow. / kept my seat, and APP
peared to give no attention to her.
Who are your" inquired my father.
"What is that to you p said she.
. Every thing, if you are to stay in my
house, nothing if you are not"
What if l do not answer you?"
Then you must leave my house"
" Leave the house !" exclaimed she /;
81 should like to see any one here try to
put me out"
" What if call my men, and throw
you out, neck and heels p
- You have not any men they are all
gone home"
How do you know ?"
glanced at my father. lie was pale,
but his courage ebbed not whit. He,
helpless, not able to get out of his chair,
surmised strange occurrences, for he had
received not less than 81 800 that very
week, for large wheat sales, and he saw
what was before him. The bag was eth
er decoy or man in disguise, whose
object was robbery. l could see that all
this was rapidly passing through my
fathers mind, but it did not bow him the
ninth part Of an inch. So | sat still.
suspected nothing but war of words.
The bag had an old quilted cloak, which
reached to her feet, and was bclted about
the waist.
=" Are you a woman y said my father.
"Of course I am; what do you ask me
that question for?'
Have you husband p
Yes"
Where docs he live ?"
"In Truxton."
"Well, then, if you have husband
why do you not live at home, instead Of
gadding about such night as this, fit
only for fends to be abroad?"
"Why don't you set tue North River
on fire ?" said she, leapiug from her
chair, and springing toward my father,
at the back side of my chair, and kissing
through her teeth: I'm teach you why
am here"
My mother screamed and run; my
father made an Intellectual attempt to get
out of the way, but instantly yielded, re-
solved to take what awaited him; and
was out of my seat as quick as the bag,
and as she passed me on her way to Crap
pie with my father, | struck her with my
FIST blow under the ear, which, but for
her old cotton hood, would have knocked
her down. As it was, it staggered her,
and gave inc time to get the chairs out
Of the way, and gather for fight.
She recovered, and looked at me for
moment, then said, as if in soliloquy:
"Oh, you choose to cross my path,
do your Well, sec II / don't settle you
pretty quickly" and thrusting her hand
into her cloak made motion as if she
would draw dagger.
The motion maddened me, and il
brought foam to my lips. struck her
halfa dozen blows as quick as lightning.
She let her dagger go, and clinched me.
Her grip satisfied me that ] had found
my match. aye, more, in strength, and
that NY skill as boxer, and my most
unparalleled ability as wrestler, must
save me. had learned pugaliSm Of a
clever English teacher, and as TO wrest-