The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-12-19

side me, how could [ utter a word of
scorn or unbelef?
replied that had a wife aud four
children living 10 Philadelphia, who look
ed to me for bread and butter and the
general attention Of parent. But still
| might throw these considerations aside
and become my fair companions better
half for day or so if ] wasn't afraid of
being detected at the little game, and
having Jersey justice served out to ME
by wholesale.
"Pshaw ~ said the lady, laughing
Your fears are groundless. By the way,
what is your name"
Thomas Goodwin" / replied.
"Then suppose you change it," she
said, land register your name at the hotel
as Mr.. Andrew Jackson We will keep
to our rooms, and even if your neighbors
should be stopping at the same house it
is not probable they will detect you"
As my evil fortune would have it,
acquiesced in this, and short time after
wards, when the train arrived at Atlantic
City, L registered our names as "Andrew
Jackson and wife" at large hotel, and
then a servant ushered Us into luxurious
| bed room, with the Information that these
would be our quarters during our stay.
! [ had scarcely shut the door upon the
servant and turned to look at my lovely
| companion, whern there came a heavy
knock at the door, and a loud aud angry
voice demanded that it should be Instantly
opened.
"Oh, goodness ~ exclaimed my fair
companion, claspiug her hands in evident
terror. Its my big brute of a husband p
81 thought you had no husband ?" l
whispered, my legs shaking under me.
81 understood you to say you were free
lover, and missionary from the Oneida
Community"
80 1 am, but married this man prior
to going to Oneida"
Come open the door you scoundred
or I'll break it down." said the voice.
Il have the strength Of twenty men in
me-"
81 do not doubt it, my dear sir" 1 said
':but if | open the door what will become
of meY'
"You had better open the door and let
him in pesceably," said my fair inamorata,
'or be will raise the whole house by his
noise, and perhaps some persons who
know you may be brought to the scene"
I l was horri6ed BY the supicion her
words had aroused. Suppose my busy
neighbor Smith should be stopping at the
hotel, and discover the scrape | was in
The rascal would be sure to tell my wife,
and then | would never hear the last Of
it. 1t took but second for me to decide,
and l then opened the door, aud admitted
the infuriated husband.
| expected he would turn me inside
out when he got inside, but he did not
He quietly took seat, anI eyed me and
the lady quietly, calmly and philosophical
ly. Nevertheless, he was big fellow,
and was afraid of him. l took my sta
tion behind the bedstead and eyed him
cautiously over the head.board.
"What is your name you scoundrel -
he inquired, calmly, as he drew revol
yer from his pocket
"Mr. Thomas Goodwin" l replied,
scarcely able to articulate my name.
"Mr. Thomas Goodwin" he said
deliberately cooking his weapon, Il am
undecided whether | shall or shall not
mar the general cleanliness of this room
by sprinkling your brains against that
wall"
Don't do it my dear sr-don't do it."
| demonstrated Il object to such treat
meut assure you your suspicious are
groundless | am as innocent as lamb. J"
II don't believe a word of it. | know
all about you" he SAID. "Nothiug can
heal my insultcd honor except blood or
money. Which shall it be-"
Money by all MEANS" replied quick
ly, but put in saving clause, that is, il
you don't want too much"
"My honor is priceless, sir-priceless.
By the way, how much cash have you"
Fifty dollars is all [ have, upon my
honor"
"Fifty fddlesticks! Why 1 could
spend that amount in a day. You have
large amount deposited in the
Bank in Philadelphia, and have blank
checks in your pocket. Fill one up for
FIVE thousand dollars and I'll let up on
you" i,
| don't know how the fellow discovered
had any money in bank or any checks
about ME, but he spoke the truth. | was
afraid to contradict him, aud thought
while he held that loaded pistol so dan-
gerously near my head, that | had better
comply with his request.
| quickly filled out check for live
thousand dollars and gave it to him, and
then he placed the revolver safely away
in his breast again.
"Adieu," said he making polite bow
as he left the room. "Fools, leave you
to your folly AS for you, despoler oi
nv sacred honor, we shall meet again."
He left us.
My first impulse was to 60 straight to
Philadelphia and stop the the payment
of the check, but my companion SAID Il