Year: 1870

from the Chicago Evening Journal Nov.1 AZ


An unusually exciting incident occurred
few nights ago in dwelling on the North
Side. The family residing in this particu-
lar house, which is located on Oak street,
near the lake, consists Of only two per-
sons-a man. and his wife. The wife had
been gone East for several months, but had
written to her /" liege lord !" that she would
be home on certain night, and she desired
him to meet her at the depot on her arrival,
which, like faithful husband, he deter
mined to do. His wife, went East by the
Michigan Central railway jas she stated Moth
ing to the contrary in her last letter, he eE-
pected her to return by the same route.
lie spent portion Of the evening at q
place of amusement, and then repaired to
the Central depot, elated with the prospect
of soon meeting his long-absent and loving
spouse. The train arrived, and the hero OF
this thrilling adventure eagerly scanned
the face Of every female passenger who
stepped from the cars to the platform, ex-
pecting each moment to meet the dear OBJ.
ject of his search and his love. But, alas
no wife came-at least not has wife. Weigh
ed down with disappointment at her
non-arriyal and anxiety for her safe
ty, : the . disconsolate husband left the
depot and slowly wended his way to-
ward bis 'desolate home; Illuminating on the
uncertainties of. life, and wondering what
could be the cause of.such unexpected fail
ure. At last he reached his home, tired,
vexed, sad, and discouraged. On entering
his dwelling he was startled by a slight
noise that sounded much like q human
being grooming or snoring. He listened
carefully, and heard it again. 1t proceeded
from On adjoining bedroom, the door of
which stood wide open. The house was
perfectly dark, and in moving cautiously
around the parlor he stumbled over what
felt like pair of boots. He paused, reflect
ed, and then his BRAIN worked out solu-
bloody burglar. He had ransacked the
house, and after obtaining such booty as he
could readily carry away, supposing that
nobody belonging in the house would re-
turn for several days, had laid down upon
the bed, and being either very weary or
somewhat intoxicated, had fallen asleep.
At least such was the hypothesis conjured
| up in the brain. of the excited owner Of the
domicile; and upon this he proceeded to
act. He had in one Of his pockets loaded


revolver, and in another one match, both
of which he drew forth, taking the pistol in
his right hand and the match in his left
| He then stealthily crept into the bedroom
| near to where the gas-burner was located
l
| did not care to grapple with an unknown
and invisible enemy. But he.qeas willing
| to take his chances with the villain in the
light and, If he must be killed, he would
die like q man and hero, bravely defend
| ing his own home and fireside. The critica
moment had arrived, and Steadying hi:


nerves as best he could, and summoning al
the courage at his command, he quickly
lighted the gas with one hand and cooked
his revolver with, the other, and turned


around face to the foe.


"Villain," said he. Chow came yoI


here? Attempt to get out of that bed and
you are dead man !"


At this the occupant of the bed uttered
la wild shrek, and exclaimed :" Why
husband, what's the matter? It's-it's-
iit's-1ne J"


| A flood Of light now broke in upon The
mind of the valiant burglar-slayer. Iii
] dropped his revolver, begged forgiveness
and mutual explanations followed. The
| wife had returned that evening, according
| to appointment, but had come by tht
Michigan Southern instead Of the Centra


route. She was as much surprised
| and disappointed at not meeting her
husband at the depot of the Southern roat


as he was at not meeting her at the Centra
depot. Proceeding home in carriage, she





her husband had probably gone to spent
lthenight at his brothers, or else been called


out OF the city on business. she retired
llonely and fatigued, and soon fell asleep. Hel
first awakening was as described, and tht
! shock would have almost driven into spasm
a woman of less nerve and fortitude. The


neighbors soon got. hold of the incident


indeed, the hero and heroine OF the adven
! ture made no effort to conceal It; for the
Joke was too good to keep all to themselves


since no harm had grown out of it. The


aggregate amount of amusement enjoyed


already by the people living in the vicinity


is upward of considerable.


4 The moral of this incident is When al


absent wife writes her. husband that sht
will return home at a certain time, sht


should always specify the particular depo


sequences are liable to be unpleasant.


Il