Daily globe., 1880-05-09

"How do you know it was written by
such person 7"
''I know the handwriting" said he.
"Thar's only one person in the village who
can write like that thar
Again telling me that had better heed
the warning given me in that note, the man
got up and left. As soon as he was gone
examined the chirography of the note. 1t
was certainly neat-much like copperplate,.
1t was, therefore, person of some preten!
sions to education who stopped so low as to
write an anonymous letser. The more cause
to suspect that the, note contained some
truth. The man who had just left seemed
positive, though his thesis was grounded en-
tirely upon the responsibility of the anony-
nous writer. He did not pretend to speak
from his own knowledge.
Who then was this important parsonage,
who subscribed himself "Your Friend?"
was anxious to discover the writer, and
surely, if there was only one person in town
who could write well, it ought to be no diff
cult matter to discover him. would ask
the principal men in the village for their
autograph. l had an album in which were
already the distinguished names Of John
Quincy Adams, Levi Liucoln, and George
Bancroft. I would send it around the vii
lage, and m that trap would catch as big
bug as ''Your Friend"
On the next day commenced. Isent my
album to three of the selectmen and the
town clerk, all of whom gave me their au-
tographs readily, and although I did not
thus achieve my object, yet so aattered were
these gentlemen when they saw their names
beside those of Lincoln, Adams, and Ban
croft, that they instantly transferred all
their custom to me, and felt myself abso-
Iutely in danger CT becoming a rich man.
But in the midst of all this success there
were not wanting mementoes of the fatal
note-reminders that the sword of Damocles
was continually suspended over my head.
The principal one of these happened at my
boarding house. Owing to the hot weather
slept with the lower sash of my window
raised. A light from house opposite
shone in at my window and illuminated the
opposite wall. My back was towards the
window as / lay in bed, and I was on the
point of dropping to sleep, when | perceived
that something was darkening the light on
.he wall 1 lay perfectly still, though now
wide awake, and soon became convinced
that burly human head was slowly rising
above the sill of the window, and this head
it was that threw its shadow upon the light
spot on the wall and partially obscured it.
turned ddenly, crying at the same time
'sWho's there!''
The head Immediately lodged down, and
a muttered curse followed, and all was silent.
Jumped out of bed and ran to the window.
L saw fellow just turning the corner of the
house, and regretted that my clothes were
off, otherwise I would have pursued the
villain till I discovered who he was.
After this it did seem to me as if was
rushing ruefully on my fate by remaining
at Greenmount. Yet was pleased with the
place and with the people of the village,
my business was good and rapidly improving /;
but, above all, l had fixed my eyes upon a
lovely young lady who led the choir of the
village church. Thus far [ had not dis
covered her name. l only knew that was
charmed with her appearance, with her voice
and manner. She appeared to be the most
amiable Of human beings.
Could I leave the village under such Cir
cumstances
was anxious to find out the name of the
beautiful singer; but l burst not make any
| inquiries. Had [ done so the fact would
have been known in every house in the
township before night, and finally the story
would have run that we were engaged to be
married.
At length met the young girl at a party.
She was introduced to me by the name of
Smith and as there was more than one
family of that name in town, | still remained
as much in the dark as ever. except that she
soon gave. me to perceive that the fancy
which J had conceived for her was by no
means reciproeated.
1t was evident that Miss Smith regarded
me with aversion. She looked at me fire.
quently. Tnrning my head suddenly, l
would detect her in the act Of perusing my
features with close attention. She seemed
to regard me with great deal of curiosity !;
but that was ALL She avoided me on every
occasion and this she did in so ingenious
and stealthy manner that it was not CAL
culated to attract attention. I was, there
fore, noticed by no one but myself.
This conduct on the part of Miss Cornelia
Smith discouraged me from making any ad-
vances. Although, whenever l looked at
her, she appeared handsomer and more at
tractive than when l saw her last; yet such
was my peculiar nature that the slightest
suspicion of being unwelcome was sufficient
bar to my intrusion-a fence too high to be
overleaped could not endure the idea of
| forcing myself upon anybody.