South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-10-06
Il think not" replied

turing tho evening We had q pleasant
conversation, and took occasion 10 in
form Miss Northup of the object Of my
visit to Hickman.
Il dare say, uncle will DO glad 10 see
you, for he is really over.worked with
business. He took O young gentleman
IN his Office short time ago, but they
couldn't get along at al, so they sepa
rated. Uncle is very forcetful and
nervous, scarcely any one can manage
70 endure him, but he is kind man al
heart and very generous. Papa and he
are so very different in temperament
you wouldn't suppose they we're broth.
ers"
1t was ten o'clock when I started to
go 20 bed. and Miss Northup came M
the stairs behind me. accompanied by
her maid, who carried couple of can.
dies. On the upper landing | met an @.
normous black cat with green eyes. who
crouched as il she intended 10 spring
upon me. always had an aversion 20
cats l am not surperstitious nor in.
ciined on the side OF the metaphysical
doctrines OF those who support them,
put strange and ,Inaccountahle feeling
crept over me as stool in front of the
animal with its glaring orbs and raised
back. At word from the girl. howey.
or. the cat glidel down the stairs and
was lost TO 8 ght.
When | reached my chamber Miss
Northup remarked:
"lonr door has holt on it. and be.
lieve it is the only room in the house
that is socurcd.'
"Don't YOU lock your lower doors:"
asbcl.
She smiled and replied: I'VE never
think it necessary"
Musing on the strange custom which.
hy.the.by, did not consider very safe,
went to bed AMI trie TO sleep, but
found IL unable TO do so. Strange Wis.
ions iioateG across my brain. and lay
twistinS and turning in the bed. vainly
desiring slumbcr. | heard the clock
down IN tie hall strike two. and then
some chanticleer, as sleepless rs myself
perhaps, gave Il prolonged crow. As
the voice Of the rooster died away, there
came noise rs Of person jumping
from the window sill, to the foo, and
then followed the light and almost
noiseless step Of one ascending the
stairway. Miss Norlhup's room was in
front and adjoining mine, and listened
with quick beating heart to the creak
upon the stairs. got up quietly, and
slipping on some Of my clothes. seized
one of my pistols.
Step by step the creak came toward
my door. put my ear to the keyhole,
and could hear - brcathir1. Of the vii
lain. l stood IN |.ionless, tho pistol
grasped firmly in my hand. Not anus.
Gle moved nor n nerve was slackened,
for | felt that Heaven hal selected me
as tho instru nant TO affect its purp0sa
The step passed on and reached Miss
Northup's DOR. heard it open softly.
and also opened mine the moon Tas
shining almost Sc bright as day. step.
ping softlr r.pDI ID. go I .htiy
opened :. Aa.Llus door - oi.
ject was visible s.va & osL within.
upon whose 01ov whi,o sheets Law the
intended 2 If to assassin. o.
peRoL tie door still wider and .-
Hannah, the maid, in = a1rnl ..as Oh
the iiooT, while in the further conner OF
the cham or stood a tall man.
.
IDENTITY in the act OF making q spring
upon me.
Ny heart ewnl'ed into my throa. al.
most 10 sufocatiou. and / made a bound
iGtO tie room, and Miss Northup start.
cd up with scream, the villain mace
a spring foc me aal I fire taking 10
l5erate ain. The blood spouled from
his mouth, AMI Jake fell his full length
upon the door. shot directly through
the brain.
For an instant Miss Nortlup did not
comprehend the situation, and imploreG
me not to murder her. But the noise OF
the pistol aroused all the household. and
the truth was soon understood.
Lawyer Northup and myself agreed
very we'll indeed. and tho reader will
not be surprised 10 learn that ultimate
~ married his niece, whose life Ger.
tainIy saved. | have now lived many
years in Kentucky. but I invariably
kept up the old Northern custom OF
locking up ny hoasc when I % 90 bed.
-------. =
tR1his diverting piece or fiction was
invented in San Francisco: Edwin
Booth is proycrbially opposed 10 hav.
ing his private trumpet blown. bus a lie.
tie incident of his overland trip is too
COOL 10 be lost. j: seems TIA, i'm tie
same parlor ca with tic t-agcdian and
his family was q lady more remarkable
for the louiness Of her style than her
refinement. She repeatedly stated that
she would give hundred dollars 90 kiss
Booth. 1T Omaha n poor omigrant a..
tracicd the attention OF the travellers as
they returned to the cars after dinner.
lie had started for California, but had
been robbed while asleep Booths eyes
fell upon his gorgeous admircr. WHO was
standing near. lie wentup abruptly 20
her and asked. Did YOU say you would
give n hundred dollars 20 kiss me?'-
She replied, II did, and opened purse
denanily. lie passed. lis arm around
her neck, aud giving her o sounding
smack, held out his hand for the fee -
This was given. Booth wheeled around
orI r,,.t a. t.f, a.,