The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-02-20

"If you say so, Miss, I suppose it's all
rignt." said the watchman, releasing me,
''but," he muttered as he turned away,
dts very queer to do business in that
style"
'The next morning, before 1 left my
Office, Il received visit from Maj Shorter.
Declining my offer of a seat, the old man
came up in front of my desk, and looking
me full in the face, said sharply:
"Rlchard Sturgis you were at my house
last night. I'm sorry did not know il:
for I would have given you the punish
ment your impudence deserved"
II began to explain the matter, but he
cut me short.
"Never mind" he said, dts all over
now and it can't be helped. Don't try
it again, for | warn you | shall be on the
watch for you"
"He turned abruptly and left3me. l
certainly felt rather sheepish, but deter
mined to marry Jenny, and he was re-
solved that [ should not, and from all ap-
pearances the struggle bade fair to be a
hard one.
"For several days l did my best to get
message to Jenny but failed. At last I
hit upon a plan of communication.
"Alajor Shorter's house was built di
rectly on the street, and as be had forbid
den me to darken his doors, resolved to
mako use of his windows, which, as some
body very justly remarked, "they are just
as good as doors, provided they have no
nails in them to tear your breeches" On
the next Sunday night stationed myself
in heshadow of the doorway of the church
and as Jenny came by accompanied by her
father, | managed to slip note into her
hand. In it l revealed my plan to her,
and as she passed out of the church a
bright smile which she gave me signifed
her willingness to adopt it.
"Every evening after this, at dusk when
[ passed Major 5horter's house, [ found
one of the parlor windows raised, and
Jenny by it, hidden by the heavy curtain.
81 would slip into her hand note with
which had provided myselfbefore leaving
home, receive one in return, press her
hand aud be off before her father could
! see me-.
This continued for about three weeks,
when it was broken up by rather un-
pleasant occurrence.
as usual, and placed my hand through the
window, when 1t was seized in vice like
grasp, and the old Major thundered as he
threw up the window:
"Now you scoundrel, I've got you, have
+? I'll make you remember me, you i'm.
pudent villain"
"And with that he almost crushed my
hand, | yelled with pain.
at hurts, does it ?" growled the old
man, savagely: "Not quite so soft and
tender as the hand you expected to
squeeze you william"
Before this | had been too much STIR
priSed to speak, but now cried out an
grily:
"hst my had alone Major Shorter ?
What right have you to treat me in this
manner 7"
Right! he shouted, "right Zounds
sir, what right have you to stick your
hand in at my window? I've a notion to
have you arrested as thief"
"Take care, sir" l exclaimed, trying to
wrench my hand from him. "You may
regret this"
"Wait till l get out there, and I'll
make you regret it."
"He released my hand and started to
come out after me, but l did not wait for
him. l had no desire to get into a fuss
with him, SO took to my heels.
"The next day ] received note from
the Major. 1t was short and sweet, and
somewhat to this effect;
"SIR-You are an impudent black
guard. In chasing you last night fell
and hurt my leg, which will prevent me
from seeing you this morning. write
now to inform you that if | catch you
lurking around my house again, | shall
certainly shoot you"
Very respectfully yours;
JOHN SHORTER.
"This letter, especially after my oxpe