The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-08-24
A Horrible Story.

"A nVIIlUlC OUVAye
The Evansville 0nd.) Journal tells
the following: We do not always re-
member that we are living in COM
paratively new country out West, and
that, under certain circumstances, the
most horrible crimes may be perpetrat-
ed and the guilty persons never punish
ed. An Evansville drummer, who re-
turned day or two ago, brought to
one of his friends story of fearful
night he had passed and a narrow es-
cape, which is too thrilling to be sup
pressed, and we give the narrative al
most exactly as it was related to us:
During the late heavy rains the young
man was in a neighboring Kentucky
town, and as he would be there sever
al days he proposed to occupy the time
by visiting the young ladies and renew
ing the acqaintances he had formed in
the town. Accordingly he arrayed HIM
self in a spanking new suit of lavender
spring clothes and strolled out to a re-
mote edge of the city to see the daugh-
ter of prominent citizen with whom
he was very much in love. The evening
was very agreeably passed in the COM
pany of the young lady and her sisters,
and he was surprised when the clock in
the neighboring room struck the hour OF
II. He arose to go, but it was raining
heavily and the ladies insisted upon his
remaining until the rain had ceased.
He waited, but the rain continued to fall
increasingly, and finally, with true Ken
lucky hospitality, they insisted upon his
passing the night in the house. The
young gentleman was very bashful, and
declined, but no excuse would be re-
ceived, and in few moments he was
shown to a room by a servant. Before
he retired he walked the floor and CO.
piously cursed every thingi in sight that he
should be caught so awkwardly. 1t was
more than he could bear, and the more
he thought of it the more he swore, un-
til he threw himself on the bed to listen
to the melancholy naiserere of the rain
on the roof.
He was young, and in his excitement
he finally determined to do the thing
which, above all others, he should not
do. This was to rise early in the morn
ing and slip away before breakfast. He
felt that he could not face the family in
that predicament, and thus resolved to
take, as it were, his life in his own
hands under the circumstances. He at
last went to sleep, and at the first crow
of the cock was wide awake and recon-
noitering the premises. He cautiously
opened the window shutter, and 10!
day was just breaking in the east. He
saw his way to the road clear by cross
ing wide lawn and then small plow-
ed field. But, as i'll luck would have it,
the lawn was neglected and choked
with rank weeds and grass, and rose as
high as his waist, and as he looked up
on it covered with heavy rain, he re-
membered with dismay his fine laven-
der pantaloons-immaculate and we'll
fitting. He could not deliberately ruin
them, and there came the rub. After
a few minutes he resolved to risk sally
without them.
The resolution taken, it was quickly
carried out, and, arrayed in all his fine
ry, minus the unmentionables, he stood
at the window with them over his arm,
ready for the fray. An easy vault car
AAOo AAnh AhoO oAO AoWAs anu AC UCSdu
to thread his way through the grass.
After proceeding few yards he fancied
he heard a slight litter, and, looking
lack, to his dismay beheld a sight that
froze him with horror. The young
ladies had risen early to make their
toilets, expecting to meet him at break
fast, and by the first faint break of day
had birds eve view of his inploriOus
retreat.
With sickening sensation in the re-
gion of his bowels, the young man
frightened his grip on the pantaloons,
and broke madly through the grass and
then through the plowed field. He
gained the road, and there assumed the
modest protection of his pantaloons,
and with his hat mashed over his eyes
marched through town to the depot,
and has not since been within its limits.
He has lost his sweetheart, but his pam
falcons are still secure.