Year: 1869

O.. THURSDA0
ses would not be very heavy, as wished to spend
as little money as possible. thankfully accepted
his company, and we walked up the street several
blocks, when he gave me the proper direction to
take, while he was obliged to go another way.
J. After parting with him wended my way to the
hotel, which was situated little way off from the
busy thoroughfare. 1t was large building, and
had very old and dingy appearance and, in fact,
did not look very inviting to the traveller, but as
did not expect to stay long, concluded to accept
the accommodations as they were much cheaper
than could be found elsewhere.


entered the bar.room, and after gistering my
name and eating light supper, asked to be
shown to room, and was conducted up fight Of
rickety old stairs, to small, square room, where
my guide left me. Proceeding to examine the
apartment l found that it contained one small
window, which looked out on back alley The
furniture consisted of bed, couple Of chairs, a
stand, and heavy oaken cupboard, some three
feet long, with strong side doors The APPEARANCE
of the room did not disperse the gloomy feelings
of distrust that experienced when first saw the
building. However, determined to make the
best of it now that was there.


noticed, before coming to the room, that thick
masses of clouds were gradually gathering over the
city, and the distant rumbling of thunder, with
sharp quick flashes of lightning, that quivered
across the western horizon, denoted an approach
ing storm.


Being very tired, I Immediately disrobed and
jumped into bed, and was fast fallinginto dream
less slumber, when low scratching sound attract
ed my attention. 1t seemed to come from some
place in the room, but could not tell exactly
where. My nervousness increased as the sound
continued, till determined to ferret out the cause
of the disturbance I jumped from the bed and
looked cautiously around the room for some time,
but could discover nothing. The sound had en-
tirely subsidized, and nothing could be heard save
the wind which whistled mournfully by the win
dow, or the distant rumbling of the thunder which
denoted the approaching storm.


At last concluded it must be the window blind
or some such object, driven by the force Of the
wind against the house. Arriving at this conclu.
sion, again jumped into bed, and laid for long
time, vainly endeavoring to sleep; but finding it
impossible, busted myself watching the expiring
flames of the taper, till stray gust of wind whis-
tied through the broken window, and e2tinguished
the object of my attention.


The storm, which had long been threatening,
now burst forth in all its wild grandeur. The rol-
ling thunder grewlouder at each successive report
vivid flashes of lightning darted across the heav-
ems, Illuminating the room with the lurid fame, 80
that every object was plainly visible the next mo-
ment pitch parkness followed so impenetrable that
the most prominent objects were perfectly hidden
to the eye. While lying there looking from under
the bedclothes, trembling with fear the scratching
sound commenced with new vigor, making the
room sound with the peculiar noise which had be-
fore annoyed me-


Large drops of perspiration stood upon my
brow and, rising to sitting posture, trembling
ly gazed out into the darkness, trying to discern
the objects as the lightning flashes penetrated the
room.


At that momenta vivid sheet Of radiance dashed
before me, and in an instant behelda mans arm
protruding from the cupboard, while the hand
grasped. as if for support, the strong oaken door.


realized my situation Immediately, and, spring
ing from the bed, grasped heavy boot which
lay near, and, brandshing it over my head, breath
lessly awaited for the lightning again to appear
1t was but moment ere living fame qulvered
through the air, revealing the head and shoulders
of as villainous looking man as ever before be-
held The left hand supported the creeping form,
while the other clutched tightly large revolver.
The hand was upGfted, and our eyes met As
quick as thought bounded straight for the rascal
yelling internal villain


The only answer received was the sharp crack
of pistol, the ball whistling by and lodging in the
wan near me. The next moment the heavy boot
came down with terrible crash on the rascal 8
face, making him yell something that I was unable
to understand, for loud peal of thunder drowned
the sentence.


He struggled fercey to free himself from the
cupboard, but by my repeating the blow he was
obliged to push back into his hiding place.


With movement certainly commendable, lclosed
the heavy doors, and grasped the oaken structure
by the top and pulled it over on its face, and sprang
upon it, while the cursing which came from within
could scarcely be heard above the raging storm,
which kept up an incessant roar.


Undressed, and trembling with fear, for one long
hour 1 sat yelling at the top of my voice for as
sistance, but was unheard on account Of the raging
elements without.


/ At last, the storm gradually abated, and my
cries were heard by the Irish chambermaid, who
came running into the room, but upon seeing me
in such an unenviabe position, she frantcally ran
down stairs, yelling murder" with all the vehe-
mence her vigorous lungs would permit This
brought to my room crowd of excited indi7idu-
ais, all eager to find out the cause Of the disturb
ance.


Iexplaned the case as we'll as my shattered facul-
ties would permit but was frequently interrupted by
the blasphemous harangue which the robber was
! holding forth within the cupboard.


After concluding, Jumped from my seat and
stood few steps away, breathlessly waiting while
my friends, by the aid Of dim lantern, dragged
forth, hatless and bleeding, his locks disheveled,
and his face all bespattered with blood, the would
be murderer-my trusted friend, the preacher.


recognized his face Immediately, and, spring
ing back, threw up my hands in horror and as
constituent The villain gazed steadfastly at me,
with sckly smile, which told palmer than words,
that was not the first victim Of misplaced con-
fdcnce.


A person was Immediately sent to inform the
authorities, who took him into custody and after
: wards sentenced him to ten years in the State
Penitentiary.