Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-11-09
ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.
by EMERSON BENNETT.

AT social gathering recently, where differ
en-. parties were entertaining each other with
storica and anecdotes, the following singular
narration fell from the lips Of an English
man:
"Some years ago." said the gentleman,
"business, connected with an impending law
suit, led me to pay q visit to Sir Richard
Kingsley, Of Kingsley Manor. As the baronet
lived In rural section, with no railroad within
thirty miles, and as l had a good horse and
abominated stage coaches, concluded to back
the animal aud make Two days journey of it.
| had 80 calculated the distance, time and
stopping. g.places, that, without any extra hin
drauce should reach Sir Richards a little be-
fore sundown on the second day; but on that
afternoon, as luck would have it, was caught
in one oil the most violent thunder -showsfa |
ever experienced, and was glad to take refuge
In small, wayside inn, where | remained for
three hours, during which the lightnings fash
ed, the thunder Ioared, the winds howled, and
the rain fell in torrents.
"The loss of these three hours would either
compel me to remain over till another day, or
reach Sir Richsrd's after dark; but as had
resolved to be at Kingsley Manor that night.
resumed my journey as soon az could-the
innkeeper, meantime, on learning my destiua-
sioD, very obsequiously informing me that
could save few miles by taking a hilly by
road that cut across broad sweep of the main
thoroughfare. -....
"'But is there no danger of my losing my
way, by taking this shorter cut" inquired.
"'No, your honor. replied the man; you'll
have nothing to do but to keep straight ahead
till you strike the main road again, and you II
save at least three good miles by the opera.
tion.' -..
"After getting particular description of the
route, thanked him for bis information and
set out to follow bis advice. ~ #sr
"This change in my route, however, was near
costing me dear, and led to some very siDgu-
lar results. had taken the by. way at the place
mentioned, and proceeded along it for a couple
of miles, over sleep hill, and down into some
thick, dark woods, when, to my surprise came
to point where the road forked, and in such q
manner that could not tell which branch to
pursue. Could be right7 The innkeeper had
certainly not mentioned anything like this, and
perhaps had got the wrong road altogether.
~ had halted my horse, and was puzzling
over this matter, half resolved to turn back
and keep to the main road altogether; when Q
man suddenly leaped out Of the thick woods
into the path behind me. and was instantly
followed by girl of ten or twelve years.
4
habtstion, since quitting the great highway,
and as was now in dark, lonely part Of an
extensive wood or forest, having q tempting sum
of money about my person, naturally looked
pretty keenly at the two individuals who thus
so suddenly, and perhaps accidentally, appeared
upon the scene, and quietly the while slipped
one hand into my bosom and let Il rest upon one
of brace of pistols. '
"The face Of the man did not like. Il was
dark and sinister, with small, black, treacher-
GUS eyes, and black, matted hair, that fell down
around his shoulders after the manner that your
regular bandit Ia generally described. Hiscon.
ical hat was set csrelessly on one eide of his
head, and his loose, slouching dress, of bright
oolors, was somewhat In keeping with my idea
of highwayman. Still, for al this. the man
might be honest enough, and glance at hil
companion led me to hope that she was not In
the company of one hardened in vice and
crime. -r ag... 81.
"she seemed sweet delicate creature, with
one Of those pale, sad, earnest faces, that are
always full of love and sympathy, and which
almost always compel love and sympathy in
return. There appeared to be taste ef hei
own ifR the tidy arrangement of her scanty
raiment, which, to my mind, bespoke refine
ment above her apparent station, and as sht
QuletAy pubu6u phOh ucK CutipI huu hAct
her soft, tender blue eyes upon mine, felt al
though could believe In her truth and purity
against the world. Surely no man contempla
ting guilty deed would be found in such al
angelic presence! aud, with this reflection,
Withdrew my hand from my pistol, and aceost
cd the stranger in the easy, friendly manner o.
traveller. i % s.Ja5a.. II esi .91g.
"T fear have mistaken my way said.fl
left the main road back here couple of miles
hoping to shorten the distance by coming across
these hills; but now am not sure Of beinl
right, and, If tight, am at loss which of thes,
forks to take
"Oh, you're perfectly right replied tn,
stranger, 10 q naturally gruff tone, but which
he evidently strove to soften down into some
thing civil and respectful. The lett ham
path will carry you Just where you want to 60.
"Thank you,' returned l, and please stat,
how far Ii is to the great highway ~,
"sThree miles, answered the man promptly
| "The girl, who, from the moment began 3
speak, had cast her eyes on the ground and KEEP
them there, now raised them quickly to he
companions face. His eyes met here, and he
anxious, troubled, almost terrified look, wa
mot by glance 90 dark, malignant and threat
ening, that instantly felt my frst suspicion
revive, and determined thenceforth to watc
4 closely and be constantly on my guard
''That the sweet little girl was opposed I
anything evll--that her whole nature rcvolte
at anything like chme-I still believed; bu
that she, by some mysterious dispensstion Q
Providence, had been placed In bad hands, ur
der wicked teachings and examples, Nigh
also be true; in which case her own nature
goodness would probably avail nothing againi
I the demoniac Influences around her. Nay, ht
! very sweetness and purity might be turned to
ierininal purpose, BY uuing her as an object |