The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-09-19

so IudI, ndu II HOT Deen IOr HOu06 ROOC
fresh butter, a small tower of which
aspired certain way towards the cell.
| ing, and some tolerable bread, I haC
run the chance OF having no food FOL
that night at least. The meal over,
found there was a discussion as t.
where and how / should be bedded fol
the night; and could make out, partly
by my small knowledge of the Ian
guage, and partly by the indignant ex'
preston on the face of poor Anna, that
1t had been carried unanimously that
was to be lodged at her expense, that
she was to abdicate her couch in my
favor; and ere long the lady, having
been brought to see the necessity Of
such an arrangement, mine host pro-
ceeded to conduct me to my apartment
L hadn't very far to go. a short pass.
age led me to room on the ground
floor, similar in size to the one we had
just vacated; and in a kind of cupboard
in the wall, 1 WAS pointed out dirty
looking bundle of blankets and mat
tress, wherein and whereon, was in
formed, might pass the night. Well,
know, but confess did feel slight
shudder as 1 gazed on my uninviting
couch.
Hunting men say: The more you
look the less you like it," recollect
having said so myself once to less
fortunate friend on the wrong side of a
fence, over which my horse had safely
carried me against my will and the
present felt to be an occasion in which
my philc ophy might we'll be selt-ap-
piled. So looked another way instead,
and took general survey of the apart
ment, as a cat Will do before he settles
down. Picture my amazement at dis
covering that beside my own, there
were no less than three other beds IN
tba fn1 ifGROvpFv for one
who is always so nice and particular
about n room to himself, There were,
no wever, three couches let into the wall
similarly to mine, and all three bearing
the same dirty appearance. Unless
there were other men attached to the
establishment, was at a loss to con-
ceive for whom they could be intended;
and then 1t flashed across me, that as
knew myself to he occupying Annals
bed, this could scarcely be the arrange
ment. No; after all, L was, of course,
to enjoy " the room to myself, and
with this reflection laid myself down,
and prepared for sleep
Now, If you really wish TO sleep, it
often happens that steady course OF
preparation will defeat your subject.
Having turned myself round three
times, and having as many times per-
suaded myself was dropping into a
dOze, was suddenly startled to hear
the door of my apartment gently open
ed. Instant thoughts of robbery, i'm
mediate preparations for self defence
ensued, and bounded from my bed al
most into the very arms ofthe old lady
of the house. So meekly Crept back
again, to wonder what the prudes OF
civilized life would say to father, son,
and daughter, sister in-law and mo-
Their, all packing for the night in the
same apartment-to wonder, also, what
my friends would say to my making
one of the party. How the operation OF
describing was conducted don't know;
il took "A marvellnusly short time, if it
wns done at all. Whether described or
not, they were all in bed in very short
time; and for good hour lay gazing
at the dying cmbers oil the hTe-there
was II fire lighted even in hsre-Gnd lis
tenIug To the even breathing and deep
snoring of my five chamber compan-
ions.
Well, l was just beginning to drop on
myself in reaIity-nO fancy this time
when thought L heard slight whis-
per from Anna. Being at best but IL
slight sleeper, the sound at once awoke
me. 1t was repeated. Jules, Jules"
Chat was the SOM II think lie sleeps
now"
Think he sleeps now indeed2 What
did it matter to her, L should like to
know, whether 1 were asleep or not?
Tender solicitude, but on what ac-
SAre you sure ?" was the whispered
reply. ,,,,,.
Holloa this was more than / liked.
don't know that am very nervous,
usually but what did this mean? This
was very wild spot. was utterly
to think of it, 1 didn't half like the
looks of that Jules-a nasty look about
him and an unpromisiug sulky
manner. Jules was six feet at least,
and fine stroDgly-built fellow in my
highest heels 1 had never yet quite
craned up to five feet six inches.
Nevertheless, if there should be any
esent either. BAIL what an ass had
been to show my purse, ns 1 had done.
"Be careful, Jules-talk low; you
will wake him." Missed the old lady.
All the old bag had been cycling my
jewerly, 1 recOllected, all the evening.
MAKE sure he sleeps" growled the
old man.
The whole hive was about me. Just
then Idistinctly heard foUt rest on
the ground from one of the neigborinR
couches. 1 listened. Somebody was
creeping towards me. With a desire TO
postpone my fate, whatever it might be-
turned in my couch to convince them
WINS uOE Sdl6s 1neEe WIS al
mediate and precipitate retreat of the
aggressor to the couch; and then all
was quiet again, save for the deep snor-
ing, which new to be false, OF the old
man and his son.
For a whole hour more, at least, this
continued, during which I lay in an
agony of nervousness. Il won't say
fright, because 1t sounds SO bad,) cow
ering in my bed, and expecting every
minute to feel Jules strong hand at my
throat, or his knife at my breast.
thought of the awful stories had read
my Imagination worked on them, and
conjured up situations infinitely more
CHASTITY, in which should play the
principal part. 1 pictured myself held
down by the old man while his sor
should perpetrate on me some fearful
act of brutality. I went further, anC
saw them burying me darkly beneath
the stone floor, and thought of the
search for me growing more and more
hopeless; of my friends becoming more
and more reconciled to my loss; whilst
my body should be rotting in the colo
soil beneath this detestable house
Come what may, resolved that moth
ing should make me sleep that night
So 1 lay per .ectly quiet, listening to the
ticking of my watch beneath my pill
low, and consolinS myself with tins
melancholy idea that each tick brought
me nearer TO the morning and the ligh
of day.
thought of him, own that this tint
the consciousness that 1 was roughing
II did fail to convey its need of conso-
lation, Poor John, he would be wait
ing for me tomorrow, and wherI
should 1 be? L wondered if coulC
leave about me some token, some Wri
ting which might be found on me.
I IA L.. "A L.