Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-10-22
everseel. No doubt he'll be sneaking
around before return"

"Run away ~ l ventured to observe.
"Yes," replied Mr.. Northup. Il wal
taking him up to Larkin's plantation t
sell him, for he's no manner of use tx
me. So ne managed to slip away soor
after / arrived at the village yesterday
| Promising to attend to Mr.. Northup'l
request, we babe each other good-by
and separated. After good nights
rest, ! set out the following morning OF
my journey.
1t was almost dusk when rode up K
Mr. Northup's mansion. A dozen OF
more hounds seemed determined to dis
pute my passage up the lane, and theil
barking had the effect Of bringing Miss
Northup to the front porch, whore she
welcomed me and received the message
her father had sent.
cake is bad fellow" she replied.
"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 favorite
hounds, and as Mr.. Larkln was willing
to buy him to work in his lumber mill,
papa determined to sell him."
"He must be bad fellow" said
Indeed, yon are quite correct" she
answered. "But | knew he had escaped
before you arrived, for he visited the
quarters about daylight Thompson on
ly heard of it at noon, and started with
some neighbors in pursuit of him, and
he has not yet returned. It's wonder
papa has not turned back, but now that
| recollect he had some business at
Cranch's creek. Did he say when he
would return 7"
~ think not" | replied.
During the evening we had pleasant
conversation, and l took occasion to in
form Miss Northup of the object OF my
visit to Hickman
Il dare say uncle will be glad to see
you. for he is really overworked with
business. He took a young gentleman
into his Office short time ago, but they
couldn'tget along at all so they separ-
ated. Uncle is very forgetfnl and ner-
vous; scarcely anyone can manage to
endure him, but he is a kind man at
heart and very generous. Papa and he
are so very different in temperament,
you would suppose they were brothers."
1t was ten O'clock when started to
go to bed, and Miss Northup came
up the stairs behind ME, accompanied
by her maid, who carried couple of
candles. On the upper landing met an
enormous black cat with green eyes,
who crouched as ifshe intended to spring
upon me-. am not superstitious nor IN
clned on the metaphysical doctrines of
those who sport them, bu. astrange and
feeling crept over me as
| stood in front of the animal with it's
glaring orbs and raised back. At a
word from the girl, however, the cat
glided down stairs and was lost to sight,
When / reached my chamber Miss
Northup remarked
"Your door has a bolt on it, and I be-
lieve it is the only room in the house that
is secured"
Don't you lock your lower doors 7" / |
asked.
She smiled and replied
eve never think it necessary"
missing on the strange custom which,
by the by, | did not consider very safe,
went to bed and tried to sleep, but was
unable to do so. Strange visions floated |
across my brain, and | lay twisting and
turning in the bed, vainly desiring slum-
ber | heard the clock in the ball strike
two, and then some chantcleer, perhaps
rs sleepless as myself, began to crow.
As the voice of the rooster died away,
there came noise as of person jump
ne from the wind0w-siIl to the floor, and
hen followed by the light and almost
lolseless step OF some one ascending the
stairs got up quickly, and slipping
N some of my clothes, seized one of my
pistols.
Step by step the creaking noise came
ioward my door. put my ear to the
Key hole and could hear the breathing
II the villain. | stood motionless, the
pistol grasped firmly in my hand. The
step passed on and reached Miss North
'p's door, | heard it open softly, and |
'lso opened mine; the moon was shining
Utmost as bright as day. Stepping softly
'lonS the entry, slightly opened Miss
Vorthup's door. No object was visible
ave the bed within, upon whose snow
white sheets lay the victim of the in
ended assassin I Onnna1 tbn dn<,, o4,lt