The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1865-01-12
Aunt Tabitha's Railway Ad-
venture. 81 'fnI

strongly to resemble o gentleman.
There are cases where7women, who
opghtto have been married twenty
years ago, disgusted with the back.
wardness of the other sex, strive
as, it we're, 10 become their own
husbands. Here was one Of them.
Aunt Tabs voice deepeaed and
grew hal sher; her manners became
abrupt, and her movement, jerk.
ing, until jill uatured people sheer,
Iingly taid she WAS masculine. A
fable was muliciously put into q !
culation that bind beggar, IN
acknowledging aims, had once ad.
dressed my reiativc as "Sir." |
always 10 ,ked Oh these character.
istics as simply natural resem
blance on aunt's part to the high
est models of Lo admiration; aud
pointed to the appearance Of a
strong, dark down 'npon the upper
lip as striking proof Of the force OF
IL. agination. But if Arrt Tab So
cret1y adrliryd mahkiu'y sl4e als1
SUSPECTED thtm, ard 0 md { e.
to Be in fear Of its boing discovered
that she,was not really 4 married
couple in one, aud that some sud
|idenIy faclnatcd wooer might Der
come too rough in his attentions.
ITo what lengths this feeling was
carried, | only accidentally learned.
"Supposing saw him gradual y
stealing upon NE from the other
eud, ! couI get the bIndgcon ready
and meet him at the distance,
resoluleIy said the unmistakablc
Tabi han tones. ...t..
"But ii he should happen to
spring upon you from the opposite
seat! What should you do thenf
asked II voice | recognized as that
of my auut's companion, Mrs. Lee
son, u widow Of some thirty years
standing, and who, therefore, tho
in lesser degree, had her own
complaint OF neglect against my
sex. ..e4 fs.FsgA IL III
"In that case, l should present
the dagger in such way that he
would rush upon it,-So!' added
my aunt. with d very theatrical
accent. II shall NJ ways keep the
poiut turned IL little outwards uu.
dnr my cloak" ,t. ss.. .4q.
"Couldu't you shoot him quick
err" mildly inquired Mrs. Lesson
No; | fad it takes time to aim
the pistol and puI! the trigger
was the calm reply.
BIudgeons, daggers and pistols;
W hat, in the name Of goodness,
did this mean? Who was the fel.
low alluded to as "he" with whom
means like these were necessary? =
! had put my haud on the handle
Of my auuts sittinsrroom door to
enter, but the first words | over
heard Of this mysterious ccnyersa
tion rooted me 10 the spot.
"AoS, them" resumed my aunt.
Impressive tones from withir
"we'll practice opening tho doors
aud getting on the footboard, sup
posing | ShouId be SO taken by
surprise as not to have time TO U.s.
any of the weapons. Are you
ready? Stop minute; this cush
ion represents the dividing arm oI
tho two SEATS" aud, in the pause
| could hear some rustling arrange
ments being made. ..
| "Now, then, yop must throw
yourself suddenly over upon me-
Don't mind being u little rough;
dare say the brute won t. Now!
Immediately the sounds of 1
fierce, struggle ensued; aud, open,
ing the door u little under cover C
the noise | was horrifed to SEE
Aunt Tab and Mrs. Leeson closely
embraced in one corner OF lhC
couch, wrestling together as if fo
dear life. At last my relative go
all arm loose, and making a yio
lent effort, in which uncriuolinet
morning robes were tossed wildly
aud ankles revealed IN a very uu
diguifed way, she dung hersel
loose from her assailGnt, and tri
umphantly leapiug over tho bach
OF a char, apparently placed tt
represent the door spoken of, shI
wlirIed herself r5und It, alightiug
en- the fender, with disheyelIcd hal
and flushed checks. ~.
"oh, you'll do it! No maa car
hold you faster than / did! gaspet
Mrs. Lesson. in a state Of utter ex
hausiion, bringing thelaeEs which
should udorn her forehead r0nnt
from somewhere behind. "Deal
me! the dagger must Lave stuck
out from your belt; it has torn MY
dress sadly aud she put her han.
out OF sight into Il large hole at the
side. u y ... -fg
I, .".rhen l shall shout Guard
Gnartg " 4" exit d.y ut red ny
aupt;R and t4llAsahg s!ri9agsle on y 70 9 thc
next carriageIwindow," goingAlq G
upon her knees as she spoke