Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1878-10-10

to awaken me to the fact that both
presumptions were wrong. 1t was our
train, the 6.26, that had run off the
track, smashing things generally, and
spilIing the contents Of several cars
along the road, to say nothing of
frightening half a hundred passengers
into condition bordering on lunacy.
But most terrible Of all mishaps, it
spilled me, clothes and all, into pool
Of mud and water, from which | es-
caped with life but utterly wrecked
in the matter of things; and to make
it still worse, was exactly five miles
from my destination. | was disposed
to make myself agreeable and would
have willingly rendered all the as
sistance in my power to the unpro-
tected females Of the wrecked train, if
| had been in condition to be seen, but
heartily ashamed Of my appearance, |
rushed from the scene and started for
Hvatt's, the determination strong in
nv breast to reach that haven before
daylight and get decent if not a
stunning suit Of clothes. 1t was a beau
tiful moonlight night, and verslng
close on toward eleven clock. That
did not deter me. ! was determined
to walk over to ITyatt's. No sooner
said than done. | set forth Five
miles is a trihe, particularly to a man
in my condlton,and Just as my watch
marked the quartz sitter midnight |
marched up the lane that led to the
house. There was a sing .e light to be
seen in the house, and that in my
room; but as | approached near the
house it disappeared, and tho whole
house was in darkness. My room
mate, Horace, had evidently gone to
bed 50 much the better. did INT
want even him to see me in that
plight. My bedroom windows looked
out upon the roof Of the piazza. |
would not disturb the house by
knocking-oh, no, not a bit Of it-a
climb would settle the business. The
thing WAS e%ecuted as soon as thought
and in a few seconds | stood on the
piazzs. What if Horace saw me in
the plight, and should be compelled
to explain that my vanity had led Inc
to walk five miles in the night and to
scale piazza to escape being seen -
He would never get done Joking me.
No lie should not see nc thus. In 4
few seconds, standing on The piazza, |
Invested myself Of coat, vest, pants
boots, hat-ay even Of my shirt, and
stood confessed blushing Hyperion
in undershirt and drawers . Leaving
the muddy clothes on the piazza, |
put my hand to the window, which
yielded, and sprang into my own
room BY the moonlight which
streamea in | saw a figure in white
standing by the bedside, with the cov-
els Of the bed drawn in front Of it :
and laughed at the idea of Horace
being frightened by my appearance.
immediately afterwarl | reflected
that scaling the piazza Of farmhouse
at midnight, and forcing an entrance
by window en- dtShaJjHc had rather
an alarming, not says burglarious, as
pect, and therefore spoke with the
intention Of reassuring him, when q
trembling and unmistakabIe feminine
voice bali screamed, half Galterel.
who are You?
There are such SURPRISES as,Wlthout
q terror, absolutely deprive US of the
power Of speech until the brain has
time to act and reason. Such surpri- |
ses do not generate screams and fants |
They are expressed by open mouth
and silent wondor. This was the case
with myself and my roommate. Right
by my side, with her face within three
feet of my own, stood a young woman,
not more than seventeen, with great .
dark hazel eyes, and such great mass
es of brown hair tucked away under
the neatest little nightcay that ever
was, She had gathered the belcloths,
with spasmodic jerk, up about her
throat, and with the yaost rigid aston
ished look, as though doubling wheth-
er she was sleeping or waking, gazed
steadily in my eyes, and repeated her
question :
who are you?
| blurted out with
How ca ne you here p