The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-05-19
QUIZ VISITOR.

She landed at the hotel OF our quiet
village on Saturday morning. She ap.
peared to be young lady of two or
three and twenty, slightly above the me-
dium height, OF perfect form,- with large,
piercing black eyes and q wealth Of ra-
ver tresses floating over her shoulders
A large canvas covered trunk followed
her into the hall, and after she had been
shown into the parlor, the register, With
pen and ink, was brought for her signs.
ture. She nodded pleasantly-nodded
with smile that completely captivated
the impressibie clerk-and then in very
Pretty, italian hand wrote her name
.sMiss Clara Dubois, Philadelphia, Penn
Later, as the landlord politely escort
ed heF to the supper-rooin, she INFORM
ed him that she had beard OF his house
that it was quiet and well kept, and
that she had come for short rest and
respite from the din and turmoil of the
great city.
The good host was grateful and very
glad the Young lady had honored his
house With her presence. He would do
what be could 10 make her stay COM
Portable and agreeable.
Very soon Miss Dubois got acquaint-
ed with the guests OF the house and
proved herself as intelligent and enter
tanning as she was pretty. She played
we'll upon the piano.forte, bat did not
sing She played chess, too, though
there was only one party in the house to
play With her.
Boarding at the hotel was Mr.. Aaron
Huntley. He kept the principal store in
the village, and was also our postmaster.
He was q man OF ive-and-forty rotond
and good looking. aud bad been wild.
over ten years He had been success
ful trader, and had been careful OF bis
money, which he worshiped.
And it was Mr.. Huntley who played
chess with Miss Dubois He vas very
fair player, and she was skillful. Yes,
she was certainly fond OF Mr.. Huntley.
and it is not to be wondered at that be
should become fond Of her. She was
pretty, che was witty, she was inteii.
gent and she had strong common sense,
and, furthermore, che was young and
huoyant. What more could be asked in
q wifeI II be thought Of dover, her
of herself had convinced
him that her father was wealthy.
One evening Aaron HuntIey came
from the psrlor. where he had been play
ing chess, radiant. He had proposed
and he'd been accepted. He managed
to keep the sweet, blessed secret for
four.and-twenty hours, and then he let
It out to the landlord and VAS congras-
ulated The store.keeper was happy
He walked as one who treads on air.
He was smiling and gracious to bis Gus
TONERS, aud even generous.
After this, Miss Dubois was much at
the store. aud, In her playful happy way,
she assisted o'ten in the post office,
which was square room partitioned of
in one corner of the building.
And so the days went on, and Aaron
Huntley wss certainly the happiest man
in the village. Bat one morning thun-
der-clap fell upon bin He went to his
store and found the rear door ajar. He
went to bis safe. and found that it had
been opened, and the money all taken
the savings OF years! Fully ten thou
sand dollars had been stolen from the
safe.
Miss Dubois was early at the store,
and when she bad heard OF her lovers
loss she endeavored to console him.
"Don't worry dearest" she said.-
"When nv father comes I can help you.
II this loss cripples you, il shall only be
for time,"
"But Clara would not have It appear
that I married you for your-"
.'Naughty man, hush! Will you not
let me love you little T.
What could be say more.
When the stage arrived that evening
an old gentleman, With white hair and
beard, aud wearing an enormous pair OF
green spectacles. wac helped out, and.
leaning hesvily upon his stout oaken
staff, hobbled into the hall He signed
his name upon the register in a trembling
s,rsegliug hand. ."Dr. Seth. Buwpus,
N r"
When supper Was finished, Miss Du-
bois took Mr.. Huntley's arm and retired
to the rarlor, and presently siterward
the white haired man named Doctor
Bumpus followed them. The first two
had seated themselves upon the sofa,
and the latter took seat on chair be-
tween them and the door, and at the
Same time . stout dagk faced man, in q
free and easy suit Of blue f,unel, had
stopped upon the threshold and was
standing in the open doorway.
Miss Dubois saw these two nen-saw
the positions they had taken-and her
teeth came together with q snap, and her
lips we're compressed and pale.
5 sSlr," said she. addressing the white
haired man, s'you stare at me as though
you had met me before" And as she
spoke her right hand stole down by her
side toward the pocket OF her dress.
"Look, my dear, and see II you don't
remember me-" With this the white
wig was lifted of, the green spectacles
and the white beard removed. revealing
q compact, ainewy, keen eyed man OF
about 40.
Oa the next instant Miss Dubois had
a pistol in her hand. and was cooking it;
but the man in the chair AMI the man al
the door bad both been watchful OF her
They were upon ber before che could do
any mischief, and had a sharp furious
struggle-a struggle in which the two
strong men bad severe work to do-a
pair Of rachel irons we're npon her wrists
Mr.. Huntley. for the second time that
day had been thunder struck, so COM
pletely struck that all power Of defend-
ing his promised wife was lost to him !;
and be did not recover his power OF
speech until the ignoble iron had been
snapped upon her wrists.
SIN the name Of mercy," he at length
gasped. "whv do you treat a lady thus 7"
"A lady! That's good! Say, you
are Aaron Hun,lcy, ain't ye3"
"Yes, cir"
n -