Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-13
CHARLEsToWN, THURspAY, DECEMBER l3, 1866

| for about three weeks, when lt was broken VI
by a rather unpleasant occurrence.
One evening had gone with my note a
usual, and had placed my hand in through th,
window, when it was suddenly seized in vice
like grasp, and the old Major thyndered, as ht
threw up the window;
Now, you scoundrcl, I've got you, have
III make you remember me, You impuden'
villain"
And with that he almost crushed my hand
yelled with pain.
! at hurts. does it?' growled the old man say
agely. "Not so s,ft aud tender as the band
you expected to squeeze, you villain"
Before this had been too much surprised
to speak; now cried cat angriiy:
"Let my hand alone, MAJOR Shorter. What
right have you to treat me in this manner?N
Fright !" he shouted. Fright. POUNDS, sir,
what right have you to stick your hand in at
my window? I've notion to have you ar
rested as thief"
"Take care, sir" | exclaimed, trying tn
wrench my hand from him. "You may regret
this"
"Wat till get out there, and I'll make you
regret it."
He released my hand and started to come
out after me, but did not wait for him, so |
took to my heels
The next day received a note from Tie ma
ior. 1t was short and sweet, and somewhat to
this effect:
SIR: You are an impudent blackguard. In cha
sing YOU last night | fell and hurt my leg, which
prevents me from seeing you this morning. lwrite
now TO inform YOU that ii catch you lurking a.
round my house again shall certainly shoot you.
Very respectfully, yours,
This letter, especially after my experience
the previous night, made me feel very uncom-
Portable. but consoled myself with the retlec-
tno that you must catch a man before you can
hang him. ! set to work to devise another
plan. and when had arranged it to my salts
faction, communicated it to Jenny by slipping
note into her hand at church.
Ia the rear of Maj Shorter's dwelling was an
alley. The back-buiding extended to this al
lev. and in the second story was window o.
yerlooking it. asked Jenny in my note to
tie her letters to a string and lower them from
this window after dark would then get them,
and tie nv letters to the string in return.-
This plan worked admirably for while, but,
like the other WAS not to last long. One eve
ming had lust tied my le1ter to the string
when was startled by loud "bang from the
window above, and smartiug in my hands.
Away | sped, followed by another report. |
heard the old man shouting after me, but dill
not wait to hear what he had to say. When
| got home examinedm my hands, which smart
ed painfully. but the wounds were very slight
the major had evidently loaded his gun with
salt. which, while it was quite painful at first,
was not dangerous. | was sorcly tempted to
retaliate upon him, and give him thrashing,
but the reflection that such course might lose
me Jenny determined me TO take it as quietly
as possible. | encountered the major on the
street the next day, but although he called to
me that he wished to see me avoided him.
| had enough of him for some time 10 come.
did not see or hear from Jenny for at least
a month after this. At last receiyel a note
from her one morning telling me to come to the
house that night that her father had left the
CITY. and would not return until the next day.
When night came FASTENED to the house,
and was met by Jenny at the door spent
pleasant evening with her, and was just rising
to 90 away when we heard the front door open.
20 dear. there's papa now. What shall we
do?" exclaimed Jenny i'll alarm.
We had no time to lose, so | told her to be
ouiet and concealed myself behind the sofa.
The major came in directly after, and seeing
.Jennv's anxious and furricd look, at once sus-
pected the cause of it, He seated himself on
the sofa behind which ! was concealed, and ]
heard him give an angry grunt. 1t was clear
nv presence was known to him.
- - l. lgoo 20 thol 4, cbo,e
and tell Tom to bring me bucket of hot wa
ter
"Shall tell him to take it up TO your room,
papa?" asked Jenny, TREMENDOUSLY.
"No. dear, tell him TO bring it here"
ain the parlor papa?'' she began. He cut
her short, and replied sharply:
"Yes, in the parlor. Tell him to be quick
about it. Go along, girl. What are you hes
tating about?"
Jenny left the room, and as she went out
heard her CRYING. was confident that the old
man wanted to scald me, and had no idea q
waiting quietly for him to do SO. Still it was
no easy matter to retreat. glanced up over
the sofa to take a look at the state of affairs
The major was sitting with his back TO me, anG
his face to the door through which Jenny had
disappeared. He knew well where was coz
cealed, but he paid no attention to me, so sure
was he that he had me- in his clutches. Ny
position was desperate, and 50 was the resou-
ton | formed. While bis back was stiIlturned
to me sprang to my feet, and giving the So
ia push, sent the major rolling over the floor,
and before he could regain his feet | passed
through the parlor door and locked it on the
outside. Calling to Jenny to come and release
her father. | left the house and returned home
Feeling assured that the major would Gallon
me in no very amiable mood thepext morning.
left town 20 avoid him. When returned !
learned he had been to my Office. and had vow
ed vengeance against me. Icontinued 10 keep
out of his way, however, until his wrath snbsi-
ded, for it was not to my interest TO meet him.
After this did not see Jenny for long
time. At last, could stand the separation no
longer, so wrote TO Jenny to stay at home the
next Sunday morning, and would see her
while her father was at church.
On the appointed day was at the house.
fully intending TO go away before the major
should return. Unfortunately, however, over
STAYED my time, as usual, and the major came
- L r. IA