The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1864-12-23
0ri9inat Story.
A NIGHT OF HORROR.
BYE. WV.

Y 4H- " N
Itwas very kind and lady-like per
tsonage, who opened the door, in answer
to my ring at No. 40, street, where
1 called in answer to a very modest advor.
tisement I noticed in the morning paper
stating that one or two gentlemen could
be accommodated with pleasant rooms and
board. I am a great believer in first i'm
| pressions; and being favOrably struck with
Mrs. GraDger's appearance, I followed her
into the very comfortable sitting room,
where after satisfying her with my refer
ences, we proceeded to examine the vacant
rooms up stairs. There were two of them
-One front room quite pleasant, and
the other back room of larger size and
with peculiarly coy and home-like look
that struck nay fancy at once. lam, as I
said, a great believer in first impres,
sions, and it took but a few minutes to
decide in favor of tie back room, little
to the surprise Of Mrs. Granger, who
could not understand why I did not pre-
fer view of the street. 1t was of good
size neatly furnished, with two windows
overlooking some well kept gardens be-
logging to private residences on the same
square, where the trees and shrubbery
now stood naked and bare in the chilly De-
cember air; and beyond could be seen in
theldistance the brown hills, bleak in their
winter garb but giving promise of a beau
tiful prospect when clothed in summer
green. There was a side window also. but
it looked out on blank brick wall, and I
took little heed Of it. The house stood
in quiet neigbborhood, and next door
was public building Of no particular
style Of architecture, which might have
been Seminary or College, but which I.
paid little attention to, being well satisfied
with the comfortable home-like quarters
into which I had drifted. For several
years I had led bachelors life in a large
city, and in that time I had run the gaunt-
let Of boarding houses good, bad and in~
different; hotels, restaurants, ETC., of diff
ferent grades Of comfort but all devoid of
the real charms of home, so well remem-
bered in days long passed, before I had
wandered forth to fight my own battle un-
aided. Many noisy, comfortless asylum
had l known, where food the most un-
wholesome, close cherries rooms and un-
congenial company rendered the hours of
leisure unendurable almost, and it was
with very grateful feeling that 1 looked
forward to my prospective snug and quiet
home. My books, a few pictures and other
knick nacks that single man gathers
about him were removed and put in place
during the day, and after a supper which
reminded me ofmy mothers tea table, and
an Introduction to the few quiet, genteel
appearing boarder5, went up to my cheer
ful looking room, and with Master Nap nv
faithful terrier, took possession Of its COM
forts, With grateful heart. Nap, that
wisest of all wise dogs, my welcome com
panion and tried and trusty friend, was a
diminutive black and tan specimen, sharp
as razor, with his natural gifts much i'm
proved BY a careful training and with
seeming knowledge of human nature that
won him his way through all classes of
society, both biped and quadruped, without
trouble to himself or master Mrs Gran.
ger looked a little disappointed when I an
nOunced him as a part of my possessions,
but 1 did not care for that, knowing well
the cunning rascal would have her his
warm friend, as well as every other mem
Der Of the household, as soon as an ac-
quaintance could be formed. In dressing
gown and slippers, by the cherry Ere, with
Nap sound asleep on the rug, I took mine
ease, that cold winter night, needless of
the nipPing December air without, that
frosted the panes making the comfort
within more enjoyable and pleasant.
:, I'm that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind"
foralong time I sat thus musing; thoughts,
sad and CHEEKY, grave and gay, coming
and going like shadows on the wall, among
them memories of hope had once cher
ished of home frightened and made
dear by the presence Of one who had per
ished all to soon, and left blank, ali, how
drenryi then came visions of the mound
in the church-yard far away, with white
stone glaiscing coldly at the head, and
summer-planted flowers now lying dead
and withCred upon it, in the cold wintry
air. Long dreamed there, headIess of
time. until al last BECOMING conscious of