The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-01-15

pocket book all l had observed, anu PohuelrHs
son various things until the dull tones OF the lar
/ off stable clock aroused me, and began to pre-
pare for bed. Before lying DOWN. went instinct,
lively across the room to secure the door, ana
| found to nv surprise, that l was without the
means of doing so, for there was no bolt,and the
| kew was not in the lock. For moment, was
startled then | remembered that the keys OF all
| the rooms had been on one large bunch,and No
| doubt the woman had forgotten to take TINS Que
| off Should l ring for it paused undecided
but the hour was late the people must IoHS
since have been in bed, and was strangely I'M
willing to encounter the surly looks again TO-
night. After all, II mattered little 1raVelihe
as did without luggage or money, and IN sim
pie. almost shabby dfess, had nothing to lose,
and with health and strength in my favor none
would choose to encounter me; and so without
dis quie tude, blew out my hight, ana lay doWH
in bed. Still was not in darkness, tor the hiooh
shone full into the room, only obscured from
time to time as heavy cloud swept across, and
passing seemed to leave it more clear and oeau
titul than ever. Hay gazing, long through one
Of the two large windows on my right, at the
soft radiance of it's face the hurrying Clouds
and the bright stars that studded the dark SKY;
and thinking as husbands and fathers are won't
to think of the wife and children at home
thinking of the little feet that might one day
& o dancing over these uncarpeted floors, OF ms
wife and myself sitting together IN that grand
deserted drawing>rOom, and planning buslIy now
far our homely London furniture would mt 1t up
Gradually my plans turned into dreamy fancles
faded, and slept soundlv -for how long, wheth
er for minutes or hours cannot tell, but woke
in an instant, and with sudden start and thrill
All was quiet-a cloud had yelled the moon,and
the room was dark and still as death No, not
so still what was that which, as l held my
fur 10 On m
so slight that could scarcely catch it,yet sure>
ly rustling in the far off corner of the room.
was man of strong nerves In my youth,
had been in perls both by sea and land, had
ever kept my courage and composure. L dld
not lose them now These men below might,
despite the risk, be purposing TO rob me they
might even, in their anger, and revenge at my
mission here, mediate worse things; but II the
absence of the key had been no accident and
they were now in my room, they should lind
harder work than they had looked for. | had
no firearms but loaded stick, which went
with me in all my journeyings, was by my bed~
side now. Slowly aud cautiously my hand stole
out III the darkness, and grasped 1t right. Then
waited For a while there was perfect 81
lence then the sound began afresh, and there
there by the door, could just see moving
form On it came, then stopped, as though
listening, and hearing nothing but my steady
breathing, came on again, nearer and nearer,
until, as it reached the foot Of my bed, spraDg
up. My stick was raised,was ready to descend,
when the moon shone out again, and my hand
dropped to my side, for woman stood before
me mot the old woman | had seen, but one
many years younger, clad in dark garments, with
pale, haggard face and wild eyes. What was
1T? a spirit, an escaped madwoman, or some plot
TO frighten me? AT last thought came into my
mind, summoned breath to ask: who, mi
Heavens name are you?
Hush, hush! moaned out voice feeble and
piteous as a crying chid's. Don't speak, don t
let them hear z
They who are they, and, who are yOu?'
L will tell come to tell ; and with sudden
vehemence the figure seized my aim in con-
vulsive grasp. | am poor creature whom,tor
eighteen months those wretches have kept i'm
prisoned III this no use away from all who might
have given me help. You are the first living
soul who has been here aud l vowed to myself
that if died for it, would come to pray you to
protect me and OH dear sir, kind sir, have pity
on me =
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.
GENERAL TOM THUMB-Charles S. Stratton
the Yeritablc Gen. Tom Thumb, is residing
here III his native town. He has travelled near~
ly the world over, aud has amassed fortune
for himself, as we'll as made his mother two SIS
tiers and younger brother Independent. The
title General is now in his 26th year. Ills hab-
its are unexceptionable, and his intellect and
general business capacity such that he per-
soually attends TO his own fnanceS, and trans
acts ali the business appertaining to leasing
his houses, loaning his money on bond and mort
gag, and looking after his estate in general.
The petite general owns fine yacht bearing
MS own name, which he sails himself with as
much nautical skill as any cold salt" who sails
out of Bridgeport harbOr. He also keeps fine
pair ofShetland ponies aud splendid las th0rSe
for his own driving, as we'll as hghIy trained
pair Of hunting dogs. His rifle and hsning tack
le were OF course made expressly to SUIT his
dimutive sis, and he is very successful sport
man. He killed several deer, while travelling
West last Year.
A few months since, the little general was
made Free Mason He has already taken three
degrees, and expresses a determination to as
cend the mystic ladder until he has reached
the top round. Although General Tom Thumb
has always led life of excitement and twice
after retiring to private life has felt compelled
to exhibit himself again 10 keep OF The eanHt
he remarked to the writer OF this article last
week, while quietly twirling his little moustacbe
of which he feels quite proud, that he hoped
one of these days to get married, in which
event, he added with a roguish look, Il guess
| that the cares of family, added to my ordina-
ry duties. will give me enough to occupy my
attention and prevent the necessity OF again
seeking the excitement of travelling exhbI>
! ton !!
The General is something of politiciani he
contributes literally to charitable objects, and
! is highly respected by his fellow citizens He
! has been offered the candidacy for several public
offices, but he says he leaves such hOnors Tor
smaller men.-Bridg epOrt Comm Standard.
90