The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-22
Selett Storg.
FOILING AN ASSASSIN.
BY EMRRsoN BENNETT.

such times we hear sounds, as it were,
with a double sense-a sense OF reality
and a sense of fancy. The first gives us
the sound as it is-the second as we i'm
agine it to be-while the two 80 blend
and commingle, that for time nothing
clear to the comprehension.
Such was my condition on the eve Of
an evening thatw ever be memorable in
my history. had gone to spend few
days with an uncle living in the western
part of Pennsylvania. had reached his
dwelling late in the day, after long fa-
tiguing ride, and had retired to rest at an
early hour. had fallen asleep quickly,
and for long time had slept soundly ;
but had at length reached that interme-
diate state between the world Of dreams
and the world of reality, which have
attempted to describe.
1t was then that my waking sense
heard the noise of some one slowly and
gently pushing open the door of my
apartment and gliding in with stealthy
tread, and my sleeping fancy showed me
huge panther creeping cautiously over
the dry leaves and through the slightly
rushing bushes, to pounce upon deer
drinking at a clear and beautiful spring.
Along with thesetwo inctperceptons
was sensation of evil, which in some
degree blended the two and filled the
mind with shuddering apprehension
for if either were true, there was some
thing to fear-and the spirit undoubtedly
made an effort to rouse up the body and
prepare il for the danger which menaced
it.
Suddenly the panther made his spring
and struck the deer, and at the same in
slant was startled into clear conscious
ness by hearing a sound as Of some per-
son in the room striking his foot against
chair sprung up in bed in bewilder-
ment. Where was |? | could not re-
member. The window being the only
object could clearly perceive, l stared
at that and tried to reColeCt where | was
and what had happened 10 bring me
there It was painful effort, for my
whole svstem seemed enervaed by q
strange dread, and the perspiralion came
out of me in beads. | believe there are
few things more trying to the nerves
than Just such a situation Of body and
condition of mind, and | do not think l
ever suffered more for a fearful uncer-
tainty than during the few moments |
remained in that toruring perplexity.
At length, like ray of sunlight strug-
Cling through the obscuring mists, | had
the remembrance of leaving home; and
then. in an instant, all the incidents of
the day flashed upon my mind, and |
knew myself to be under tue roof Of my
uncle's dwelling, and in an apartment |
had never before slept in. So far all was
well; but what were those sounds that
had so strangely mingled with my wa
king and sleeping perceptions, and had
at last aroused me with such peculiar
sensation of impending evil? Were they
mere fancies? or had some midnight as
sassin or robher stole into my room and
concealed himself near my bed or under
it, ready to execute his wicked design at
the first safe opportunity? The very
thought of this latter made me shudder,
and was tempted to call aloud for help;
and only the fear of being ridicued for
my temerity, in case nothing sinister
should he discovered, deferred me. What
should do? Should get out of bed and
search my apartment in the dark (for I'M
fortunately | had no means of striking
light, and thus risk putting myselfin the
power of the unknown? or should lie
down and pretend to sleep, but keep all
my senses on the alert? | decided upon
the latter course; and affecting to yawn
in drowsy sleepy manner, | threw my
self back upon the pillow, and in short
time pretended to snore.
Then it was as lay with my eyes wide
open and my hearing on the stretch,
saw the figure of a man slowly and eau
tiously rise up from near the foot of my
bed, between me and the window, and
stand for some time, as if listening and
considering. l was frightened, confess.
Cold chills went over me, and my hair
seemed to stand on end What did it
mean, unless robbery or MURDER and
perhaps both? And what should do2
Keep quiet and watch him till certain of
his evil intentions? or spring up and give
the alarm at once? and perhaps get stab.
bed, shot or throttled for doing so He
was rather over medium size, and | was
somewhat under, and had reason to be-
lieve | was no match 1or him in physical
strength.
While I was thus considering | saw
him make slight move, and caught the
glimmer of light just in time to close
my eyes before it streamed upon my face
from dark lantern. | was evidently
not the person be sought, for moment
or two the light was shut of, and | saw
him turn and leave the room with light
step, Where was he now, and for what
wicked purpose, and what was the prop
er course for me to pursue under the cir
cumstances? Surely not to remain there
trembling like coward, while mid
night robbery or murder was being per-
petrated
hastily arose, half dressed myself and
glided out of the room after him. At the
end of a passage or corridor | fancied
heard door open slowly, one of the him
ges making slight grating sound, only
audible to keen listener, as | was at the
moment. | advanced with cat-like step,
and now, that was about to surprise in
stead of being surprised, my blood quick
.ened with boldness was far from feel
ing few minutes before.
On reaching the door, which the VIII
lain had left open to favor his own retreat,
paused and listened, holding my breath.
l could barely hear the soft, stealthy
step of the fellow as he moved slowly
forward in the room, and also the long,
regular breathing of the sleeper, which 1
now supposed to be my uncle, who, be-
ing widower, was probably sleeping
alone, though he had two sons in the
house. What could the burglar intend?
murder or robbery If the former why
had he not searched my clothes while in
my chamber; and if the latter, it was
watchful Providence that had brought
me into a situation to prevent it, by sur
prising him at the critical moment and
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