Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1875-12-10
For the Telegraph.
Almost an Adventure.

Fol. The Telegraph.
Almost an Adventure.
The beautiful sisters, Inez and I'M
ogene, were a lovely picture as they
sat on the Yeranda of the hotel at
D.. Imogene, a tall and slender
brunette, with speaking eyes, which
sparkled with merriment or softened
into sadness with her varying emo
tions; Inez, the most delicate and
ethereal of blondes-a fair lily, to
be shielded and protected like ten
der flower. Alas, these fair beings
had apparently not found existence
all that could be desired, for they
seemed oppressed with e1lnui on this
beautiful summer day, when the
glorious sunshine inspired allsothers
with gladness. Ii was sad that be-
ings fitted to shine as heroines of
romance should be condemned to
this hopeless apathy; that charms
such as inspired the knights of old
to deeds of prowess and renown,
should be wasted on Indifferent OBJ
servers, and time pass on in a weary,
uneventful manner. They pined for
some thrilling incident, some roman
tic adventure to break the fearful
monotony of their lives. As Imo-
gene gazed over the beautiful lake
in. view, without a ripple on its
smooth surface, an idea occurred to
her and she spoke: tHsLet us cross the
water and explore the wooded beach
on the other side" ~ aogs
'But l am afraid We might meet
with snakes" said the timid Inez.
81 viii take a stout stick and kill
every snake we encounter y respond
ed Imogene, the valiant. Thus re-
assured, Inez consented to the. expe-
dition, and they called upon their
friend, Mr.. b. to secure boat
and oarsman for them while they
made the few preparations necessa-
ry for their ride. When they reach
ed the shore they found the boat al
ready dancing upon the waters, and
a powerful Indian, with an evil ex-
preston on lis dark countenance, as
their oarman. Mr.. B. assured them
that notwithstanding appearances,
he was quite trusty
They entered the boat and were
just beginning to enjoy the pleas
ant motion, when the Indian drew
in his oars, looked back upon them
with a dark scowl, and commenced
muttering in the unintelligible jar
gon of his own language. Inez start
ed with alright, while Imogene care
ly watched his movements. Did he
intend to upset them in theslake, or
what other dark tragedy was brew
ing in his mind? were the thoughts
of Inez. At length he stopped and
fumbled in the bottom of the boat.
Was he searching for a. concealed
tomahawk? Would their scalps yet
adorn his wigwam? His search was
apparently fruitless, and he resumed
his oars and they sped on their way.
When in the middle of the lake he
again scowled upon them, and again
searched for the missing article, and
Oh! climax of horrorsl gave shrin
and prolonged whistle which, was
soon answered. He was evidently
communicating with an accompliee,
and together they would soon con-
summate their bloody work, thought
Inez, and she shrieked with terror,
and clung to her sister. Presently
boat glided up to their own, row.
ed by another powerful Indian, who
conversed long with their oarsman,
in his own language The ladies
were in agony of suspense, What
were the two plotting? Were they
deciding upon the manner and time
Of their murder? Were these inno-
cent maidens unconsciousIY going
to their death in the depths Of the
dark grove which was the point of
their destination. Imogene feared
to speak, and Inez was dumb with
terror, when the two boats separated
and the stranger glided aways sure,
as the ladies thought. again to meet
| his accomplice when they should
land. .-.-.-- .~-.--
I. When they reached the shore,
they feared to diSembark and they
dreaded to entrust themselves again
TO the mercy of the Indian in the
boat to return home; but some de-
cision was necessary, and they at
length stepped upon the beach and
walked asome distance among the
trees to have time for consultation.
The appearance OF black clouds,
which portended an approaching
storm, decided them to venture the
passage home, and they made the In
dian acquainted with their resolve
pointing to the dark clouds as the
cause of their hasty departure
Their passage home was rapid,
and their companion no longer star
tied themobyamvsterious and suspl-
-cicus conducts Mr.. B. met them at
the landing, saying he had been anx-
ious lest they should encounter the
storm, and, s,Ladies, = he said, show
did Won. like Jake?a Heis clever
fellow when nc Is hOs "a ~AA'
that last word explained Jakeas con-
duet. and dispelled all the-romance
of their late, voyage. There bad
been, then, no murderOus. intent, no
concealed weapons no planning of a
dark tragedy. They were not the
escaped victims of q wretched assss-
sin, with the delicious sense of the
interest attached to such adventures.
In short, they had not attained to
their hearts desire-a romantic ad'
ventHre-and they anever forgaye
Jake for being "a Vulgar drunkard'
instead of a murderous villain.
A page of advertisements in
HdrpegsS Magazine for December
cost the occupants fifteen hundred
dollars. At one time space was. sold
at $500 per page, but Harper Bros,
learned by experience that the space
devoted to advertisements would be
more profitable when applied to the
recommendation of their own pub
lications, etc, and have for some time