Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-30
Talts antl Sketthts.
MY HOUR OF PERIL.

am unable 10 say, DuU certain IL was, at
eighteen, the honor and pleasure of my
alliance was solicited by two individuals,
whose birth, education and position in
life, might have secured for them a hand,
in pecuniary point Of view far more de-
sirable than mine. Herbert Stanley was
a young man, handsome, rich, accomplish
ed, talented, and in every way most ell
igible match. George Moygan, my sec
ond suitor, was lawyer from the thriving
town of G.. He was neither brilliant
nor particularly preposessing in his per-
sonal appearance. but he stood well in his
profession, and acquired some property,
and had established for himself one of the
finest and most uneXceptionable charac-
ters, and to him my heart inclined.
We were married, and returned with
him to his pleasant home in C.. Twelve
years of conjugal happiness, such as sell
dom falls to the lot of mortals, has passed
l'over our heads, and two little ones had
been given to us, to unite our hearts more
closely, and to bring fresh Joy and sun
light into our happy, cheerful home. 1t
was an August afternoon, unusually warm
and sultry, that was sitting by the open
window of my little parlor busily plying
my needle. My children were away, pass
ing the day with friend, and Mr.. Morgan
was at his office. He had informed me in
the morning that important business call
ed him to New York, and that it was his
intention to leave on the evening boat,
and my fingers were flying, to get the last
stitches set in some clothes he was TO take
with him.
had been sitting some time wholly en-
gagged in my work, when | heard the
creaking of the front door upon its hinges,
and it slowly opened and closed again
| then stealthy steps in the hall fell distinct
ly upon my ear. | caught a glimpse of a
shadow on the floor. Hastily throwing
aside my sewing | arose to ascertain by
whom and for what | was thus unexpect-
edly visited, but before had time to ad-
vance step, Il tall, powerful figure of a
man stood in the doorway.
One glance in the newcomers face was
| enough to ,lrive all the color from my lips
and checks, and make the very blood
freeze in my veins, and my knees smite
one against the other.
1t was Herbert Stanley. had not seen
him since the night of his rejection, twelve
years before. But had heard, from time
to time, that life had gone variously with
him, that he had met with heavy losses in
business, which had brought on mental
arrangement, and for some months he
had been regarded as hopelessly insane.
He had now escaped from the asylum
where he had been confined. and had
come to pay u visit to me, the object of
his early love. His head and feet were
bare. y pair of coarse blue pants and Il
plaid calico shirt were his only attire.
His long disheveled black hair tell far
down upon his shoulders, and in the red
leather hunting belt, which fancifully en-
circlcd his waist, a pistol and bowie-knife
were distinctly visible. A fierce CLEAN of
wild delight shot from his dark eyes as they
fell upon me.
Selling the knife in one hand he BRAN
dished it over his head, and with laugh,
loud and diabolical, he drew it several
times across his throat and forehead, and
| was in momentary expectation of seeing
a frightful wound inflicted
Laura Moore he exclaimed, Moore
was my maiden name,) "when you We're
young and handsome, loved you, adored
YOU as no man ever before adored wom-
an but you scorned my love, you spurn-
ed me from you; you smiled graciously
upon my hated rival, and you gave him
the precious treasure of your heart, but
I've got you now You refused to be my
bride on earth; you shall be mine in Hea-
ven! Thither am going, and you shall
accompany me? Wen consummate our
vows here, and to the celestial abodes OF
Paradise Wen 90 together Here is the
instrument that will take us there ~
Saying this, he advanced with rapid
strides toward me, secured me by the
arm, tlourished the deadly weapon dex-
terously over my head, brought the blunt
edge directly across my throat, and fell
back to the door, and stood gazing upon
me with those wild, glarng eyes of his
till the blood froze in my veins.
| essayed to rise, but terror rendered
me powerless. 1t seemed as il every
muscle denied me. glanced toward the
door. Herbert Stanley must have inter-
preted that glance.
You cannot escape he exclaimed.
eXultingly; II have taken care to prevent
that. I've fastened the east door and there
is the key to the 'front.'
And he took from his pocket large
brass key, and held it up triumphantly be-
fore me
All possibility Of escape was thus cut
oil. | was in the power OF desperate,
merciless madman, bent on my destruc-
ton, as he had expressly avowed it, and
that paralyzed every nerve and muscle"
"God help me in this hour of peril e.
was the prayer that arose in my soul, for
knew no human power was near.
Again the madman advanced with the
glittering blade quivering in his hands
felt the iron grasp of his hand upon my
shoulder, saw the bright blade of.the bow
ie-knife pointed directly at my heart, and
stood powerless and motionless us Il statue.
But with this hour peril came strength
adequate to the emergency. The courage
which had for moment deserted me re-
vived, and triumphed over fear. | knew
that TO plead for mercy, to sue for life
would be in vain. My treaties would be
unheeded, and perhaps instant death
would be the consequence. My only hope
then laid in stratagem. A plan whirled
through my brain with lightning speed,
and upon it | determined to act.
''Release me, Herbert said, with as
much calmness as could command, ''and
come sit down by my side. want to talk
to youn