The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1864-06-09
. DESPERATE STRUGGLE.

lhd emory OF the Oldest iubabitant, in
Ia Nrbed state, agentleman advanced
IN ls lived ina retired country house
he b 4 bachelor, and whether trust.
ID his supposed popularity, or mag
.ini that the general alarm among the
q Y was gtoundlOss. he continued in
ii psly ma nsiOn long after his neigh
. had quilted theirs Tor safer resi-
ID ipllown He had been iniispos
q several days, and on tho night hO
Ilacked. had eaten his supper in his
\ BON, which was on the ground door,
inside a parlor, with which it COM
d Gated. The servants went to bed;
ouso was shut up for the night, and
I upper tray, with its opputIenarcos'
pfoyidential oversight, we're forgot
q d the old mans chamber.
nae hours after he had retired to bed,
80 Fas alarmed by hearing window
lii ! in tho outer apartment; his cham
b aoor was ojur, and the moon shone
bd iantly through the open easement,
rel ering objects in the parlor distinct
I'd percopIible TO any person in the in
ne room. Presently a man leaped
u ngh the window, and three others
iol we'd in quick succession, Tho old
81 enau sprang from bis bed, bu! un-
FOL uately there were 40 arms in the
AZ mont reeollccting, however, the
"a Otten suppor-tray, he provided him
81 with case.knife, aud resolutely
u his stand behind the open door
a al Que advantage over his murder
e they we're in the full moonlight, and
L rouded in impene;rublo darkness.
momentsry hesitation took place
al g the party, who seemed undecided
al which Of them should enter, for,
ainted with tho localities of the
\ 0, they knew we'll where tho devo-
4 5ictim slept. At least one of the
\ ans cautiously approached, stood for
omen, in the doorway, hesiIatcd, ad :
sed siep--nota whisper wOs heard,
salhlOss silence rcigncd around, and
patlment before him was dark as
tEs grave itself, GO ou, blast ye!-
What the deuce are so Altered OFF,
ssid the rough voice Of his associate be-
hind him; he took second step, and
the old mans knife was buried in his
heart! No second thrust was requisite ,
for with deep groan tho rObbeF sank
upon the floor.
The obscurity OI the chamber, the
sudden destruction caused BY that dead
ly thrust, prevented the ruffians in the
outer room from knowing the late Of
their companion. A second presented
himself, crossed the threshold, stumbled
against his dead associate, and received
The old mans knife in his bosom. The
wound, though mortal, was not SO fatal
as the other, and the rufian had strength
to calculate that he was dead man!
Instantly several shots were freI, but
tho old gentlcman's position sheltered
him from the bullets. A third assassin
advanced, leveled long fowling piece
through the doorway, and actually rest
cd the barrel against the old mans body.
The direction, however, was Sian nting
one, and with admirable self possession,
he remained steady until the murderer
drew the trigger, and the ball passed
him without injury; bu, tho fash Of the
gun unfortunately disclosed the place oI
his ambush. Then commenced des
peratc struggle the rObber, powerful
and athletic ruaian, closed and seized
his victim around the body-lherO was
no equality between the combatlants
with regard to strength, and although
the old man struck often aud furiousIy
with his knife, the blows were ineifectu.
al, and be was thrown heavily upon the
floor, with the murderer above him
Even then at that moment, his presence
of mind saved this heroic gentleman. -
He found that the blade of the kniio was
turned, and he oontrived to straighten il
upon the floor. The rufIians hands were
already upon his throat-tho pressure
became sullocaliug-u few moments
more, aud the contest must have ended,
kr, an accidental movo of bis bodv ey.