, 1880-08-16

)
daughter. whom you will find at home,
that Jake has run away from me again,
and suppose has taken to the woods.
Tell her, if you please, to inform
| Thompson, the overseer. No doubt
he'll be sneaking around before l re
turn"
Run away ?" l ventured to observe.
"Yes." replied Mr.. Northup. II
was taking him up to Larkin's planta-
tion to sell him, for he's no manner OF
use to me. So he managed to slip away
soon after I arrived at the village yes
terday"
Promising to attend to Mr.. Northup's
request, we bade each other gooa-by,
and separated. After good nights
rest, I set out the following morning
on my journey.
1t was almost dusk when l rode up to
Mr.. Northup's mansion. A dozen or
more hounds seemed determined to dis
pute my passage mp the lane, and their
barking had the effect of bringing Miss
Northup to the front porch, where she
welcomed me ami received the message
her father had sent.
Jake is bad fellow" she replied.
g Papa has borne with his bad conduct
for long time, and he never had him
punished until last week. The wretch
cut out the tongue of one of our favor
ite hounds. and then papa ordered
Thompson to whip him; and as Mr..
Larkin was willing to buy him to work
in his lumber mill, papa determined to
sell him"
He mast be bad fellow" said.
Indeed, you are quite correct" she
answered. "Bnt knew he had escaped
before you arrived, for he visited the
quarters about daylight. Thompson
only heard OF it at noon, and started
away with some nei8hbors in pursuit of
him, and he has not yet returned. It's
a wonder papa had not turned back; but
now, that recoliect, he had some busi-
ness at Cranchs creek. Did he say
when he would return ?"
- think not. replied.
Daring the evening We had pleas
ant conversation, and took occasion to
inform Miss N rshup of the object of
my visit 10 Hickman"
~ dare say, uncle will be glad to
see you, for he is really overworked with
business. He took II young gentleman
into his Office Il short time ago, but they
c~uldh't'get along at all; SO they sepa-
rated Uncle Is very forgGtful and ner-
vous; scarcely aay one can manage to
endure hia,, bat he is q kind man at
heart and very generous. Papa and he
are so very different il temperament
you wouldn't suppose they we're broth
ers."
1t was ten o'clock when | started to
go to bed, AMI Miss Northup came up
the stairs behind nae, accompanied by
her maid, who cayried a couple Of can
dies. On the upper landing | met an
enormous black cat witt. green eyes.
who crouched as if she intended to
spring upon me. l am net supersti
tious nor inclined on the side OF the
metaphysical doctrines of those who
support them, but a strange and unac-
countable feeling crept over me as
STOOD in front of the animal with its
glaring orbs and raised buck. At a
word from the girl, however, the Cat
gifted down stairs and was lost to
sight.
When reached my chamber, Miss
| Northup remarked:
Your door has bolt on it, and
believe it is the only room in the house
| that is secured"
Don't you lock your lower doors? !"
| asked.
She smiled and replied:
I'VE never think it necessary"
| Musing on the strange custom which,
by the by, did not consider very safe,
l went to bed and tried to sleep, but
was unable to do so. Strange visions
hoated across my brain, and lay twist
ing and turning in the bed, vsinly de-
string slumber. | heard the clock in
the hall strike two, and then some chan
ticleer. perhaps as sleepless as myself,
began to crow. AS the voice of the
rooster died away, there came a.noise
as of a person jumping from the wiz
dowsill to the floor, and then followed
| the light and almost noiseless step Of
one ascending the stairs. l got up
quietly, and slipping On some of ny
clothes, seized one OF my pistols.
Step by step the creaking noise came
toward my door. put my ear so the
key hole, and conld hear the breathing
of the villain. | stool mUtiontess, the
pistol grasped firmly in my hand. Tue
step passed on and reached Miss Nor
thup's door. I heard it open softly,
ana also opened mine; the moon Was
shining almost as bright as day. Step
plug softly along the entry, slightly
opened Miss Northup's door. NJ oo-
| jet was visible save the bed within.
upon whose snow white sheets lay the
intended victim of the assassin.
| opened the door still wider, and saw
Hannah, the maid, N sound sleep on
the floor, while i'll the further corner
OF the room stood a tall man, armed
with knife. He saw me, aud was evi-
/ Inp&lxr fh, oak 1AE