Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1862-01-30

fire, wher she discovered me, and evidently
took her aback by my presence. l saw the
creature of my dream. knew that | 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 appeared to give no attention
| to her.
"Who are you?" inquired my father.
"What is that to you ?" said she.
"Evcry thing, if you are to stay in my
house; nothing, if You are not"
"What if do not answer your"
"Then you must leave my house.
"Leaye the housep exclaimed she "
should like to see any one here try to put
me out"
"What If l call my men, and throw you
out, neck and heels ?"
"You have not any men they are all
gone home"
GLOW do you know"
glanced at my father. He 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 $1,000 that very week, for large
wheat sales, and be saw what was before
him. The bag was either decoy or a 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 hag had an old quilted hood,
and an old quilted cloak, which reached to
her feet, and was beted about the waist
"You are a woman" said my father.
= "Of course, am; what do you ask me
that question for?"
"llave you husband?'
Yes"
"Where docs he live"
ain Truxton.''
"Wcl, then, if you have husband, why
do you not live at home, instead of gaddne
about such night as this. fit only for .fiends
to be abroad?"
"Why don't you set the North River OF
i fire." said she, leaping from her chair, ant
springing toward my father, at the back sid
of my chair, and Kissing through her teeth
"Ill teach ycu why am here"
My mother screamed and ran my fathe
made an Intellectual attempt to get out Of Il,
e! way, but instantly yielded, resolved to tax
what awaited him; and | was out OF m
seat as quick as the has, and as she passe
me on her way to grapplc with my father,
: struck her with my fist blow under IT,
ear which but for her old cotton hoot
would have knocked her down. AS it was
it staggered her, and gave me time to g
the chairs out of the way, and gather for
fight.
She recovered and looked at me for a me
mcnt, then said, as if in soiloquy:
"Oh, you choose to cross my path, d
YOU? Well, see if | dou't settle you prett
Of quickly" :" and thrustns her hand into he
cloak made motion as if she would draw
dagger.
The motion maddened me, and it brougl
foam to my lips. | struck her half dozc
blows as quick as lightning. She let 1t
dagger go, and clinched me. Her grip satl
fled me that had found my match. ay'
n more, in strength, aud that my skill as
boxer and my most unparalleled ability as
wrestler, must save me. | had learned pu
% sism of clever English teacher, and as
u wrestling, to that day had never bee
= thrown. kuew, when felt the grip, th'
- was dealing with man, but | felt that m
father and mother were relying on me, an
grew stronger, as before said.
~ Wo tusseIled, grasped and let loose, struc
~ and parried, clenched and wrestled, till, att
various attempts, we found ourselves at whs
=" wrestlers call a side hold" | got ii
under arm, and lifted him, (for it was I
-, longer her,) threw my leg about him, an
io turned him. lie fell on the floor like lo
40 / intended to break his bones, but he III
|, 'n :, hooked his cloak, lit had been unbuckled
>. the struggle,) and leaped up like cat.
wv struck him before he was balanced, staggert
~ -. him, grappled him, my left hand into h
W throat, and struck him again, called on N
..' mother to open the door, and as she did st
-, pushed and kicked him out. He swore
-, would be the death of me. told him
take himself out of the State, or would p'
the sheriff OH his track, and shutting Il
y :; door in his face, walked to my father.
ho Now, let your doubters tell me how
=, camo to see this matter beforehaud-th
hooded, cloaked man. had seen and heal
81 his threats to my father, ard struggled wit
him in my dream, before he came to Il
49,. house, and had awakened and left my be-
,d to 60 and sec to my fathers safety, al
again to conquer him in the kitchen. A
the main features of the occurrence bccan
known before they took place, and by Il
impression they made on me, enabled me,
f-Al -. f.