The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-07-07
The Midnight Assassin.
By UNCLE zAcK.

> L
denly before respectable. house about
four miles from N. There was
something strange and remarkable in
this action of my horse, nor would he
move step in spite OF all my exer-
tions. I determined to crafty this
whim, and, at the same time, a strange
presentiment which came over me- a
kind of supernatural feeling-seemed
to urge me to enter.
Having knocked, and requested to be
conducted to the lady or gentleman of !
the house, was iushered into neat
sitting-room.u where !. sat beautiful |
young lady about twenty years of age
She rose at my entrance, and seemed
little surprised at the appearance Of a
perfect stranger. In few words ] re-
lated to her the strange conduct of my |
horse and his stubborn opposition to
my mind. esa-si-t, s....ts r.-l.s-,s-.-
Il am not" L observed, tsupersti-
tious, nor inclined on the side of the
metaphysical doctrines of those who
support them, but the strange and un-
accountable feeling that crept over me
in attempting to pass your house in
duced me to solicit lodgings for the
night" .ss r., er.e-.5s--s-' -. ...-
I'VE are not" she replied, "well
! guarded, It's true; but in this part of
the country we have little to fear from
robbers, for we have never heard of any
being near US. We are surrounded by
good neighbors, and, / fatter myself,
we are at peace with them. But this
evening, in consequence of my fathers
abseace, feel unusually lonesome, and,
if it were not bordering on the super
stitious, might reason as you have,
and say consent to your staying, for
similar feelings had been mine ere you
arrived, from what cause / cannot i'm
|agine." ~ Ia -. = $.
j The evening passed delightfully."-. My
i young hostess was intelligent and love
lly. The hours few so quick that on
looking at my watch, YVES surprised
to find that it was eleven o'clock. This
was the signal for. retiring, and by
twelve every inmate Of the house was
|protably asleep, save myself-I could
not sleep. Strange visions. floated
across my brain, and / lay twisting and
turning on, the bed in an agony Of sleep
less suspense The CLOCK. sifuca Cue, G.
and its last vibrating sound had scarcely
|died away, when the opening of a shut
ter and the raising of sash in one of
the lower apartments, convinced me
some one was entering the house.
i A noise followed, as of person
j jumping from the window sill to the
floor, and then ], heard the light and al
most noiseless step of some one ascen-
, ding the stairway. / occupied the
room adjoining the one occupied by the
!, lady. Mine was next the staircase.
The step came along the gallery, slow
and cautious. l had seized my pistol
and slipped on part Of my clothes, de
termined to watch or listen. '-,',.' -, - =
The sound of the steps stopped at
/ my door, and the sound of low breath.
z ing convinced me the villain was listen
i ing, l stood; motionless, my pistol
firmly grasped.- Nota muscle moved,
:; nor nerve, was slackened. The person
| now slowly passed, and I, as cautiously,
approached the door of my bed cham
i Der. 1 now went by instinct, or rather
! by the conveyance, of the sound, for. as
, I heard his hand grasp the latch of one
} door, mine seized on the other Deep
) silence followed this movement, 1t
: seemed as if he had heard the sound,
J and awaited the repetition, but it came
3 mot. ss.:s.ss,-,.. -. - ~ ',o .l,, =,
II I heard the door open softly, and I
t also opened mine At the very moment
l stepped into the entry, I caught the
glimpse Of tall man entering the light
f ed chamber of the young lady. soft.
) ly stepped along the entry and ap
t preached the chamber. Through the
I, half opened door, / glanced into the
I! room; No object was, visible, save the
t curtained bed within whose sheets lay
e the intended victim to a midnight assas-
! sin, and, gracious Heaven! negro! for,
D at that moment, a, tall, fierce looking
T black rascal approached the bed. -. !.
r l was now all suspense My heart
r. swe,led into my throat almost to suffo-
q cation, as / made bound into the
room. The black villain had ruthIessly
8 dragged part of the covering off the
e bed, when the sound of my feet caused
him to turn. He started, and, thus con-
t fronted, we stood gazing on each other
4 few seconds 'Hiseves shot fire, and
z fury was depicted in his countenance.-
b He made spring toward me, and the
next moment he lay corpse on the
a floor. 20 SAi q li&ia7 Hs9 o-iW nses yszy
: The noise Of the pistol aroused the
{ fair sleeper. She started in the bed,
: and the first thing that presented itself
l to her view was myself standing near
8 her with pistolin my hand. iias sei
v @"Oh, do not murder mel Take all.
s You cannot-will not kill me, sir ".goa
e The servants now rushed in, '-and all
t was explained. The wretch turned out
to be vagabond, supposed to be a run.
!, away slave from Virginia. taa 5'eoa
Z ] had the providential opportunity O.
l rescuing one'from the worst of fates,
? who in after years called me husband
D and related to our children her miracu
t lous escape from the bold attack of q
$ midnight assassin. 'o sbnaa sai "a g-sg
0 ~C Conversations reputation is nee
8 essarily Of the most uncertain character.
The fragments whicb people bring away
from dining.roouis or coffee houses
= II. -