Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-01-16
An Adventure,

81 never attended but one temperance lec-
ture," said our friend b., with a peculiar
smile, al don't think shall ever attend an
other"
"You probably found it dry p
"Well, yes-but that isn't it. The lecture
was we'll enough. but | got into such an aw-
full scrape after it was over, that never think
of Temperance meetings without a shudder.
I'll tell you about it. 1t was in Jersey city,
where l was something of a stranger, and the
night was one of the worst of the season.
Boreas! how it blew! 1t was enough to take
your breath Well, the lecture was over, and
making my way through the crowd, fingered
in tho doorway, contemplating the awful
scene. when somebody took my arm.
"Where have you been 2 said the sweet
est voice in the world. al have been looking
for you everywhere"
Very much surprised, turned my head
and saw-but | cannot describe her /! 1t
makes me mad to think how prodigiously
pretty she was.
With her left hand she leaned on my arm ;
she was arranging her veil with her right and
did not notice my surprise.
"You have been looking for me! l fall
tered
"Come, lot us be going,' was her reply,
pressing my arm.
A thrill went to my heart. What to make
Of my ldy's address l di not know; but
she was too charming a creature for me not
20 accompany her. We started off in the
midst of the tempest the noise of which pre-
vented any conversation. At length she said
with a scream--
"Put your arm around ne, or shall blow
away
| Inecd not describe to you my sensations as
l pressed her to my sido and hurried on. 1t
was very dark; NOBODY saw us. and allowing
her to guide my steps, followed her mo-
tions through two or three short streets, until
she stopped before an elegant mansion.
"Have you your key! = she asked.
"My KEY" l stammorcd, there must be
some mistake"
As she opened the door, l stood waiting to
bid her good night, Or to have some explana-
ton, when, turning quickly she said:
How queer you act tonight; amt you
coming ill.,"
There was something very tempting in the
suggestion. Was | going in? A warm house
and pretty woman We're certainly objects Of
consideration, and it was dreary to think Of
facing the storm and seeing her no more.
+" 1t took me- three-quarters of a second to
make up my mind, and went. There was
dim light in the hall. and as my guide ran
rapidly up stairs, why. thought could do
nothing better than run up too. l followed
her into very dark room.
"Lock the door. john" she said
Now, as if had been the only John in the
world, thought she knew me. | felt for the
KEY aud turned it in the lock without hesta-
ton. wondering all the time what would come
next. Then an awful suspicion of some hor-
rid trick flashed across my mind, for l have
often heard Of infatuated msn being lured to
their destruction by pretty women, and was
on the point Of reopening the door. when my
lady struck a light. Then, being an excess
lively modest mani discovered to my disnay
that was in bedroom !-alone with a wo-
man in bedroom! cannot describe my
sensations. l said something, don't know
what it was. but the lady lighted her lamp.
looked, stared at me an instant. turned as
white as a pillow-case and screamed:
"Who are you? How came you here ?
Go, quick; leave the room. IL thought
you were my husband" and covering her
face with her hands, she sobbed hysterically.
l was petrified. Of course l was quite as
anxious to leave as she was is have me- But
in my confusion, instead Of going out the door
come in, I unlocked another door and
walked into closet.
Before could rcctify my error there came
laundering at the first door. The lady
screamed; the noise increased; and l felt Pc
culiar, knowing very we'll that now the lady's
real husband was coming, and that was in
rather bad fix.
Well aware that it would not do to remain
in the closet, and convinced of the danger Of
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