The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-07-01
There was q knock at the door; q ser

There was knock at the door; q ser
want appeared.
.sGovemor, Mrs. Powde r's compliments.
She is out here in the hall, sir, and would
like to have short private conversation
with you, sir
He was a knowing servant, and smiled
darkly, | fancied, in my direction; and
no wonder, for was as pale as death.
"Tell Mrs. Powder that I shall Oe at
her service in one moment, said the gov
ernor; and the man retreated my friend,
" he seized my shaking hand, 'sthere is
absolutely no escape for you except by
going upon the balcony until I have sue
ceeded in getting rid Of her.
made dash for the window and he
shut me outside. At the same instant
the thunderstorm burst in all its fury,
and there being no protection whatever
was soaked through and through. Posi-
lively, could not have been wetter if
! had deposited myself at the bottom Of
river. "a
The thunder and lightning were appall-
ing, and, as am naturally afraid Of the
elements, my situation may be imagined;
and for 1ull hour was thus entrapped,
and still notp1ospect of relief or OF the
storm ceasing. In despair, Iglanced over
the balcony and saw that there was an
other beneath, and IN moment ] had Let
myself down by my hands and secured a
footing there.
The window was up, the room appar-
emily untenanted, and l stepped in. Scar
cely had done SO when there was shrek
from the bed: a lady sat up and began
screaming .sRobbers - and i rushed to the
door and gained the corridor, and so at
last my own chamber.
An hour atterward was in a railway
train, speeding from the White Sulphur
as rapidly as steam could carry me.
y
Six months had passed away; the
events Of the summer were growing dim
upon my memory, and was in New
York. We were endeavoring to get up a
charitable concert for the benefit Of suff-
erers by food somewhere, and I vas the
most active agent in the enterprise.
l am, believe, a frst-rate amateur
tenor, and you have, perhaps, seen my
name pretty freely in the newspapers in
connection with semi-public concerts.
Our programme was all changed and a
capital one, except that we needed solo
cornetist, or something of the kind. ]
reeollected my old friend Birdseye-not
a cornetist, but the very best flute player
in the State. He had his own private
and particular flute, mounted in silver
and gold, and presented to him by some
musical society-worth at least a thou
sand dollars; and 1t was well-known that
the public would come to see that flute
as we'll as to hear it.
Birdseye, according to report, had late
~ retired from public flute-playing, and
positively declined engage in any
musical enterprise whatever. I deter
mined to see him personally, and, if pos
BILE, alter his resolution. I called, and
was informed that he was not at home;
but if my business was very important,
I might see his wife.
/ walked in and took seat, and then
light, rapid footstep sounded in the hall.
The door swings open enter Mrs. Pow
der! I sprang to my feet and got be-
hind the table, horribly frightened.
II wish to see Mr.. Birdseye
81 am Mrs. Birdseye," she said, In a
voice sweeter than Birdseye's valua BILE
flute. s'and have been SO for several
months. Mr.. Birdseye is out Of town at
present; his health is very delicate, and
he is in the county,"
Then she recognized me, and her eyes
dilated with a fiery glcam.
IsMo1ov,, hoyo ~ horOxo, = tow
mered I: land fear I was guilty Of con-
duct
''You decidedly we're, sir,'' she return
ed, advancing upon me.
I stepped from the table to large
arm chair, trembling in every limb, and
looking about for the most direct route
to the door.
II was guilty of conduct witch the
wife Of no flute IL mean no gentle
man
"No gentleman, sir - . she repeated,
in rising echo, making another step in
my direction; and believing that tracas
was inevitable, plunged violently to-
ward the door, rushed through and clos
ed it behind me.
At the same moment I felt her hand
on the knob on the other side; exerting
all my strength, held the barrier fast,
locked it and fled.
I felt now that should not be In a
condition of safety while remained in
New York. That woman might pounce
upon me at any time. AS for appearing
at the concert, it was out of the question,
and, pleading illness, packed up my
things and started southwark.
About month afterward, living in
Washington, had letter with the mon
ogram of a futc on it-from Birdseye, of
course "a peremptory message that he de-
sired to see me immediately. I lett that
night for Richmond, and In two weeks
another letter was Forwarded by the sec
rotary of my club IN New York, with an
other flute monogramed on it. The hand
writing was bold and aggressive, but Of
a strictly feminine character, and trem-
ulous examination revealed the author
ess Mrs. Birdseye. Again it was the
peremptory message from Birdseye, that
he desired to see me without delay. The
morning saw me on my way to South
Carolina.
BY this time had become sort Of
monomanlac, but one fully aware Of his