Middletown transcript., 1869-05-29

y
his company, and we walked up the street
several blocks, when he gave me the pro-
per direction to take, while he was obliged
to go another way.
After parting with him, I wended my
way to the hotel which was situated lit
tie off from the busy thoroughfare. 1t
was large building, and had a very old
and dlngy appearance, and, in fact, did
not look very inviting to the traveller but
as expected to remain but short time,
concluded to accept the accommodations
as they were much cheaper than could be
found elsewhere.
entered the bar-room, and after reg
lsterlng my name and eating a little sup
per, L asked to be shown to my room, and
was conducted up flight of rickety old
stars to small, square room, where my
guide left me. Proceeding to examine
the apartment, | found that it contained
one small window, which looked out. on a
dark back alley, = The furniture consisted
of a bed, couple of chairs, a stand, and
a heavy oaken cupboard, some three feet
high and about six feet long, with strong
side doors. The appearance of the room
ana not disperse the gloomy feelings of
dlstrust that 1 experienced when l first
saw the building However, determined
to make the best of ii, now / was there.
L noticed, before coming to the room,
that thick masses of clouds were gradually
gathering over the city, and the distant
rumbling of thunder, yith sharp, quick
flashes of lightning that quivepod across
the western horizon, denoted an approach
ing storm.
Being very tired, I Immediately disrob
ed and jumped into bed, and was fast fall
ing into dreamless slumber, when low,
scratching sound attracted my attention.
1t seemed to come from some place in the
room, but l could not tell exactly where.
My nervousness increased as the sound
continued, till 1 determined to ferret out
the cause of the disturbance. | jumped
from the bed, and looked cautiously around
the room for some time but could discover
nothing. The sound had entirely sub
sided, and nothing could be heard save
the wind, which whistled mournfully by
the windows.
At last | concluded 1t must be the win
dow blind, or some such object driven by
the force of the wind against the house.
Arriving at this conclusion, 1 again jump
ed into bed, and laid for long time,
vainly endeavoring to sleep, but finding
it impossible, busted myself watching
the expiring flames of the taper, till stray
gust of wind whistlcd through the broken
window and extinguished the object of nv
attention.
The storm, which had long been threat
ening, now burst forth in all its wild
grandeur. The rolling thunder grew
louder at each successive report vivid
flashes of lightning darted across the hea-
vcns, illuminating the room with the lur-
id flame, SO that every object was plainly
visible the next moment pitch darkness
followed, so impenctrable that the most
prominent objects were perfectly hidden to
the eye. While lying there, looking out
from under the bedvclotles, trembling with
fear, the scratching sound commenced with
vigor, making the room sound
with the peculiar noise which had long be-
fore annoyed me.
Large. drops of perspiration stood upon
ny brow, and rising to sitting posture,
tremblingly gazed out into the darkness,
rying to discern the objects as the light
ling flashes penetrated the room.
AT that moment livid sheet of radiance
passed before me, and in an instant I be-
leld a mans arm protruding from the
cupboard, while the hand grasped, as if
or support, the strong oaken door.
I realized my situation Immediately
md springing from the bed, I grasped
leavy boot which lay near, and brandish !
ng it over my head breathlessly awaited |
or the lightning again to appear 1t was i
,ut moment ere q vivid flame quivered
hrough the air, revealing the. head and
houlders Of as villainous looking man
s ever I before beheld The left hand !
Imported creeping form, while the 9TH '
r clutched tightly large revolver. The =
and was uplifted, and our eyes met. As !
uick as thought I bounded straight for g
he rascal, yelling
"You Internal villain" 7
The only answer I received was the .
harp crack of pistol, the ball whistline "
y and lodging in the wall near me. The 7
ext moment the boot came down with a :,
srrible crash on the rascals face, making ~
i'm yell something that was unable to =,
nderstand, for loud peal of thunder g, e.
rowned the sentence. |,
He fercely struggled to free himself Z
om the cupboard, but by repeating the
low, he was obliged to push back into
is hiding place. G.
With movement certainly commend v
Die, closed the heavy doors, and grasp ii
the oaken structure by the top and m
ulled it over on.its face, and sprung upon Il
while the cursing which came from tc
thin could scarcely be heard above the la
'ging storm, which kept up an ipcessapt to
,aF. h
Undressed, and trembling with fear, IL
r one long hour I sat yelling at the top u
my voice for assistance, but was un- In
card on account of the raging clements al a,
ithout. L