Newspaper Page Text
VOLUME 11. |
by c. r. hanleiter.
•EL IE ©YE® T.bLE® a
the doom of the drinker.
TIIE INFURIATED TIGER.
• Bounds with one lashing spring, the mighty brute
wide waving to and fro
His angry tail ; red rolls his eje’s dilated glow.”
“Where his vast neck just mingles with the spine,
Sheathed in his form the deadly weapon lies.”
Ciiii.de Harold's Pii.gri.maoe.
Upon one evening, a party of collegians
anti young bloods of the town had met to
gether at my room to play ami carouse. In
fact, it was a regular meeting of the Slid
hunters, who assembled twice in every
week. We kept it up jollilv until midnight,
having in that time managed to get full of
Bacchus,| when Somers proposed that we
should sally forth and astonish the town by
some well planned and well-directed piece
of mischief. Without arty one of us hav
ing a very clear conception of our actions or
intentions, we hailed the proposition wil)i
drunken rapture and started forth.
A traveling menagerie had arrived in the
town the day bcfoiT* and among the won
ders it contained was a young hear. The
poor animal had been so well lieaten, that
he became very humble, and acquired a
number of amusing tricks. Os this we J
were all aware, having visited the menage- ■
lie the day before. Just as we passed the
spot where the animals were confined, it j
occurred to me what tare sport it would he
to capture young Bruin, and place him in
the chemical lecture room, to astonish, on
lire next day, the professors and the class.
No sooner had I made a proposition to
this effect, than it was adopted, and all vol
unteered their assistance in carrying it into
execution. The tent or pnvillion which I
covered the beasts, was erected in the great t
yard of the principal tavern. The cages,
each containing one or more animals, were
iron grated boxes, standing on wheels, by j
means of which they had been dragged in- j
to the town. These were ranged atoitnd
the inteiior of rite tent, forming a circular
array of wood arid iron. Not imagining
that any one would disturb the animals, the
showmen and keepers had retired to rest
along with the inmates ot the tavern, leav
ing the tents entirely un watched. Thus we
were afforded a clear field in w hich t > exe
cute our scheme. After several of our
number bad been posted as sentinels, the
rest crept in under the canvass, and entered
the arena. It was some time before we
could, in tire deep darkness of the place,
identify the cage itt which out friend Bruin
had been placed to sleep. After stumbling
over divers things wlucli lay scattered about,
and peering here and theie in the datk, we
found the object of our search. 1 here in
a substantial cage, was the dim outline of
the animal, bis two eves flushing drops of
fire at being aroused from his quiet slumber.
The next difficulty that occurred to us
was the mode of Conveying him to the cnl
lege, which was sever and hundred yards dis
tant. Some of the revellers proposed that
we should llttow a halter around his neck
and so drag him along. We rejected this,
not for any personal fear, since we had ar- j
rived at that point which makes one oblivi- ,
ous of danger, but lest we should be seen !
by some lute straggler, and have our fun i
spoiled. A better plan was, after much
scheming, devised, and one which met with
universal acquiescence.
In the tavern-yard stood a water hogs
head, with a sliding lid fastened fry means
of a hasp and staple. We had only to roll
this in. slide down the box from the wheels,
open the door immediately in front of the
hogshead, and drive the animal in. We
could then push down the lid of the cask,
secure it by means of a rope passed through
the staples, and roll our prisoner and
prison-house to the college.
No sooner wa this suggested than we
hastened to put it into execution. The
cage, with our united efforts, was slid quiet
ly down from the wheels—Bruin growling
all the time with anger—the hogshead was
rolled in and placed open end in front of the
cage and the animal stirred up with our
canes. With a terrific yell he rushed in,
and we closed the lid suddenly down upon
him, fastening it at the same time in a se
cure manner. The yell of the bear bad
roused the other animals, and our ears weie
regaled for the next ten minutes with a va
riety of hideous sounds, that wakened fear
fully the sleeping echoes of the night. Iho
•nimal in the hogshead growled, rod his
voice canto like distant thunder, so deaden
ed was it by the wood in which he lay. His
fellows had no incumbrance to their voices
and they howled as cleat ly as though they
had been in their name forest.
Fearful of being discovered wc remained
quiet for a time, holding our very breaths in
suspense. But no one disturbed, or thought
of disturbing us. The animals often start
ed a chorus of strange noises during the
night, and the keepers thinking nothing un
usual to be the matter, mere by cursed tnc
unruly beast* for destroying the unity ol
jijeir rest, and turning back, went to sleep
t8 As soon as quiet was restored, we slit a
jmle in the canvass, for we were afraid to
emerge bv the aperture winch faced he
tavern; rolled our hogshead through the
yard to the back gate, which we unfastened
and then passing into the road, stalled at
• quick rate for our spot of destination.—
Qver end over went the hogshead, the am-
A W®3kHj H®wg]pgi]p®ir g HD®t@4®c3. 4© 3P®iftfcil©s s JLj£4®irsitoTr3 a <&©„
mal within growling at the rough treatment
he experienced, we nearly convulsed with
laughter at the uucouthuess of (lie noise
which he made.
At length we reached the hack part of
the college, when one of our patty climbed
over the wall and unfastened the gate. We
rolled in our prize to the back door of the
laboratory, which was the place where our
professor of chemistry lectured. We found
that in consequence of the narrowness of
the door, the hogshead would not enter.
Such being the case, we were about to start
the animal through the open door, when an
idea more redolent of fun struck the fancy
of Somers. Back of the lectme room was
a small apartment containing odds and ends,
and which was not visited, perhaps, once a
month. He said rightly, that if we placed
Bruin in this apartment, he would not like
ly he discovered until sometime during the
lecture of the chemical ptofessor, when the
noise he wou'il be apt to make attracting at
tetilioti, the plot would readily be brought
to a crisis. We joined our strength, and,
iipmi our sbouldeis, up went the hogshead,
until it was placed on a level with the w in
dow. A light young fellow, the smallest of
the party climbed up, hoisted the window,
and slitled up the lit! of the cask. We
shook the hogshead violently, hut at first to
no purpose. The animal was thoroughly
frightened, and lay still, ot with only an oc
casional growl. We shook it again, and he
started. There was but one possible mode
of progression, which was straight forward
—and the brute gave a spring through the
window. There was a crash of glass, a
bowl, and the terrified ar.imal, croaching in
the comer, remained silent. Our little com
panion closed the sash and leaped down.— i
W e rolled the hogshead up into a comer of
the yard, and, returning to our rooms, con j
tinned our revelry till near day light.
It was afioi)t noon when 1 awoke. I bur- j
rted on my clothes, passed a wet towel j
found my head, swallowed some soda wu- j
ter, and afterwatds a cup of coffee, anil then
hastened to the college. It was the hour of
the professor of chemistry, and I entered
the room just as he had commenced to des
cant upon his subject. lhe class w ere all
wrapt in attention—for the lecturer was an
able man. and was treating uimti “ Light,” ,
a matter of interest, and capable ofbenutt
lul illustration. He bad scarcely finished
his short and eloquent exordium, before we
heard a ctnsh of bottles and a low, startling j
growl in llie next room. The professor I
started, and stopped a moment, while those
of the c lass not in the secret, looked at each
other in astonishment. There was a pause j
of a few’ seconds’ delation—and then the j
professor proceeded.
I began to feel alarmed. I remembered j
what had been done the night before. Un- ;
der ordinary circumstances, there was no !
danger to be apprehended. The bear was i
tame enough, and bad been wiiipped until !
he had imbibed a proper sense of the sn- I
perinrity of man. But from the sounds, I
judged that Bruin had worked himself into
the room, only separated from us by a thin i
partition full of windows, in which were
kept the vaiious drugs used in illustrative !
experiments. There were a great many
carboys and bottles of acid in that room.—
•Should he overset any of these, and their
contents touch his skin, lie would be apt to
bleak through tiie windows of the apart
ment. and do some mischief before we
could secure him. By the looks of niv
companions, I saw they entertained the very
same feats.
There was another crash and growl.—
The professor stopped again, and the class
looked around in dismay. Those who were
acquainted with the cause of the noise, could
scarcely keen their countenances, hi spite
of the alarm under which they labored, there
was something so ludicrous in the growl,
especially when we figured to ourselves the
coming consternation of the class, thut they
could hardly refrain from laughing outright.
Ihe professor nlm could not exactly tell
from whence the sound preceded, and
thought it a trick of the class, reproved them
Bevel ely, anil then continued his lecture.
“Gentlemen,” said he, preparing for a
brilliant experiment, •• I will show you a
most splitting effect.”
And he did. Hark ! there was a sudden
crash, as if every bottle in the place had
been destroyed at once—a smoke rose up
—theie was a terrific bowl, that made the
blood curdle and the marrow thrill—and,
thmiigh that IVaii glass Father of Truth !
mistaken the cage—there leapt
f.uTli iiifm iated with the burning liquid,
which streamed over him—horror!—an un
tamed royal tiger.
No words can describe the consternation
of the class. Not one stirred. Petrified
by horror—motionless —breathless—there
we sat. Not a muscle quivered, so rigid
were we with our intense fear. It was our
preservation. Maddened with the pain,
the animal rushed on with terrific bounds,
and, meeting with no obstacle passed down
the stairs into the great hall. There, as he
leaped and lolled, and howled in his agony,
the eldest daughter of our janitor, coming
with a message, unwittingly entered. She
screamed and fell. The tiger, frantic with
the acid, which was euting to his very flesh,
heeded her not. On ho passed, and the
girl lived. Better had she died, for never
more shone the light of reason on her vacant
eyes. From that day foitli, she was a gib
bering incurable idiot.
MADISON, MORGAN COUNTY, GEORGIA, FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 5, 1844.
On’ passed the tiger—on! on ! on !
through the streets, \\ ith the populace flying
to every side for slieltei— past his old pris
on, where the keepers stood wondering at
his escape—on he went, hound after hound,
howling, screaming with agony. On he
‘vent, while behind, before, and around,
lose op the mingled cry of men, women
and children—‘‘The tiger! the tiger!”
At the extremity of the main stieet.a trav
eler was riding quietly to his home. He
heard the noise behind him, and, casting
his eyes around, saw the cause. He spur
red his horse, who started snorting with ter
ror, for he saw the coining ot the might v an
imal as well as his master. It was in vain
The tiger noted not the man. He saw only
the tenified steed. One leap—the distance
was just saved—and he struck his claws in
to the hind quniters of the horse, who. un
mindful of this double bniilift), rushed on,
bearing the fruitful load as though it were a
‘leather's weight. Iho tniill received no
nut! Wi(|, ike presence of mind and cool
ness inos. determined—for it resulted from
despair—lie drew his bow t knife from bis
bovom, and, with a firm stroke, butied it to
the hilt in the neck of the tiger. The spi
na! mat row of the loyal brute was severed,
and he died on the instant. But he did not
release liis hold, fetill, with the death-grip,
he dung to his place, his eyes glassed and
glaring, and his claws sunk deep into the
flesh. On went the horse, snorting, plung
ing, and screaming in mingled pain and ter
mr—,.a ftr went, until exhausted by fatigue
':d loss ot blood be fell prostiate. Those
who camp that way an hour after, cautious
ly and timidly, saw the three stretched to
gether. They watched awhile ajid found
they did not move. They stole un—lo the
.horse and tiger were dead, and over their
lifeless forms was the traveler, insensible,
though alive, and still gtasping in his hand
the friendly knife.
A TALE OF TRUE LOVE.
Oiville began his career in the world by
exciting the ridicule of every one. The
pleasure to which youth ordinary addicts
itself possessed no rliaims in his eyes.—
Neveitheles his education had been com
plcted at Paris under the direction of an
A l • * - )>... , tO Slll|
hie to counteract nature. The lending of
novels had augmented the bias of his natu
ral < imposition, and I e delived from thence
sentiments so opposed to the current mor
ality of the world, and was at so little pains
to conceal them, that his best friends con
sidered hirn ns the most remaikable origin
al they had ever encountered. It is a pity,
they would say. the youth possesses spiiit
and figure, but he will nevi r be worth any
thing. Orville had no disposition to lie
w orth or to do any thing except to consult
his ow n happiness, and to hi i ive at so desir
able an object, there was in his opinion but
one mode, and that was to love and to he
beloved in return, but this love was not to
be of the eve* y day sort; no, it was such
love as one meets in novels and romances.
A ma-'inge of ambition or convenience, be
looked upon as an insupportable slavery,
and in this respect lie pushed his extrava
gance as far even as Rousseau himself does
in his celebrated woik “Emilius.” The
uncle of Orville, M. Rondon, a worthy citi
zen of Palis, was gieatly chagrined b) the
vagaries >f his nephew. He was desirous
of marrying him at all hazards to Madame
de Faventine, a young widow, very rich
and of a distinguished family. It was in
vain to hope to accomplish this. The re
pugnance of Orville to the rnatcli was in
snrmour table. “Spare yourself, my dear
uncle, ho would say. these stipeifluous
tumbles, and leave me, 1 entreat you, the
care of ir.y own establishment. 1 do not wish
to hear of your beautiful widow, and be
assured that she would lie the last woman
to whom 1 would give my hand.”
“ But you have not seen her.”
“Neither do I desire. How, this woman
from having seen me in I know not what
public place, makes up her mind, addresses
herself to you, and demands me in marriage
with !IS little ceremony ns if she were order
ing a piece of stud’ horn the haberdasher.
What love 1 what delicacy!”
“But if you knew how beautiful, how
aimiuMe she is!”
“ Why do you not marry her yourself,
my dear uncle. I will give mv consent.”
“ es, but she will not consent. Unfor
tunately she piefeis twenty-five to fifty.—
Without that the matter should he soon set
tled, and I should enjoy the double plea
sure of punishing you and of consulting my
own felicity.”
“ And that of your fiiends.”
“ Orville. Orville, show a little more re
spect to Madame de Faventine, or you will
forfeit my friendship.”
” As much respect, uncle, ns you please,
but—no marriage.”
The good man Rondon bit his lips, twist
ed the end of his cane, murmuring between
his teeth the words er/ierienre, authority,
disinherit —but nothing could oveicomc the
obstinacy of hi* nephew. The opposition of
Orvillo did not at iso solely from the roman
tic system he had imbibed ; lie was in love
or at least imagined himself in love, which
amounts to the same thing. He had met at
the opera, a mask, whose understanding
appeared to be so refined, eo elegant, su
very much superior to the ordinary run of
minds who pluy an insipid part on such
occasions, that he felicitated himtfelf as
among tho happiest of moitals when he
sin-reeded in obtaining from bis fair incog
nita an engagement for tin* ensuing ball.—
The tiiiknmr n lepnircd to the next bull el
the specified hour, masked, however, to the
teeth, hut always amiable, lively and inter
esting. These interviews lasted dining the
Carnival and although the enchantress ob
stinately persist* and in retaining her mask (a
circumstance which the learned in these
: matter* pronounce as arguing no good.) the
prettiest foot and band in the world affucled
| a fiivmahle presumption of the geneial
beauty of her person.
Oi ville, who pi nsesseda vivid imagination,
smitten with what he was peimilted to see,
became easily amorous of all that was con
cealed fiom his view. It was in the midst
of this delightful intoxication that his uncle
reiterated his pioposals for his alliance will)
Madame de Faventine, and at which lime
he experienced a tel off for which he was
far from guessing lhe 1 1 tie cause. At length
a teiminaiion of these agreeable meetings
took place without Oiville’s being able lo
obtain a knowledge of eithei the name or
residence of bis fail incognita. There ip
mail ed hut one more ball to be given. He
repaired to it exactly at midnight, with the
resolute determination to lenin every tiling,
and to employ entrenties, tears, and even
spies, but the unknown came not. Filled
with chaigin and disappointment, be qoitti and
the ball room and relumed home. Hardly
had he entered his uncle's house, when he
was doomed to listen to renewed solicita
tions on tiie part of the young widow thro’
the medium of his relation, to nil of which
he opposed an obstinate negative.
“How whimsical is my lot,” cried he.—
“ A woman who lias never exchanged a syl
lable w ith me, is obstinately bent oil marry
ing me, and I—l am as obstinately bent on
marry ng a womnti whom I have never seen.
One would say ihat they are both in a plot
to drive me to distraction, the one hv her
silence, the other by her importunities.”
Whether he had divined fight nr not, the
two ladies continued lo maintain the same
conduct, and poor Orville, after having ex
pended three entile week* ill a fruitless en
doavo? to ascertain the truth with regard to
his fair captivator, took the resolution of
(WIG’ buDiplf TiiiD) the nei mprntiiiiisxif
his uncle, m withdrawing Fmm Paris. He
communicated his project to one of his
friends, who lent him a country residence
about two leagues from tin* city. It was
bore that Orville banished himself without
any other company than that of La Fleur,
his ralet de-chumlne.
One day while he was walking in a neigh
boring wood he pei reived two young peas
ant girls seated under a tree; the neatness
and even elegance of their village chess
struck him at first sight. One of them was
engaged with a book, with which she ap
peared greatly interested; the other with
Iter elbows on her knees, was in the attitude
of a person who listens with interest. Tin*
whiteness of her hands recalled to Orville
those of liis incognita. Heavens! exclaim
ed he, what would it l e if the countenance
should correspond. This exclamation in
terrupted the reading “Sisiei-1 Louisa!
get up, someone approaches. Lonisn rose
up, quite confused, arid discovered features
of which tl* pencil of Gienze alone can
give an idea. What a discovery for a to
mntitic imagination. Such beauty and in a
wood I It wn irresistible. Oiville did not
wish to resist its sweet influence; enchant
ed by an adventure so conformable to bis
character, he yields without n struggle to
the attractions which control him.—
Whoever you may be, said be to the village
girls, do not be alarmed, at my piesence.
“I come not here to trouble your solitude,
nor your innocent pleasures, but, 1 entreat
that you will permit me to partake of iliem,
and be assured that I will not abuse your
confidence.” This discourse was not bril
liant, but it was ptomaine, il in a tone so
timid that it produced its effect; for in love
timidity is always persuasive. Louisa and
her companion reassured, resumed their pla
ces, on the grass, and the happy Orville
nhfniug pctrmixsuin to seat himself near
them. He wished thetn to resume their
rending, hut Adeline, the youngest, prefers
conversation. Orville learns that this latter
is a widow; and that she lives with her cous
in Louisa; anil that poor Louisa cannot yet
find a husband, who is agreeable to her;
that, in fact, she is Irani to please; that she
wishes a lover such as one rend* of in ro
mance; hut she fears that happiness is not
destined to her. You shall have i\ snid
Orville to hitnself, if your heart ran respond
to mine. Adeline was about to continue a
conversation which could not but prove in
teresting, since Louisa was the subject of
it. when the shades of the evening warned
them that it was lime to retire, hut she
promised to he found with her cousin at the
spot, on the day following. Orville repair
ed trr his home, and abandoned himself to
all the pleasing ideas which so romantic an
adventure was calculated to awaken in a
susceptible, ardent, mid enthusiastic spiiit.
La Fleur, his valet, was commissioner!
at n very early hour in the morning to in
quire after the henlth of the two cousins,
to acquaint himself with their manner of
lire, and above all to endeavor to ascertain
if Louisa had any speret attachment. The
valet acquitted himself to the entire satis
faction of his master, and retured with in
telligence iti every way satisfactory.
The evening arrived, and the two village
girls resorted to Jlhr same meeting. La
Fleur give liis arm to Adeline, and Oiville,
profiting by liis example, gave bis to Louisa.
The walk was long, wiilumt fatiguing.—
Oiville spoke of love, and was list* tied to.
The next day, this interview v as i<-|-i'ut
ed, and although repeated, became yet more
interesting—love mokes rlaiiy prog ice* —
and Louisa, at length, pronounces the en
chanting wind which places her lover at
<ln. summit of happiness. Upon this ten
der avowal, Orville resolves to luave all
the ptrjudiees of his mule and of foitune,
and to surrender himsrit entiiely to the dic
tates of his heart. He flies to the Chateau
to give orders to La Fleur to make prepara
tions for a Jete rhamprtre, where love nod
Hymen should preside, when the noise of a
carriage is heaid in the couit yaid. It was
our uncle,
Here you are found at last, said the good
man, throw ing himself into an errn-el air.—
To leave in this manner, your relation*,
your friends, your mist less —to limy your
self alive in a w'-nd. 1 have learned all
your tricks, your ainnms at the opera hall.
How, uncle, do you know?
1 know all. Go, I forgive you. Know
that the charming unknown, with whom
you weie so captivated, is none other than
Madame de Faventine.
Heavens, can it lu* possible!
Oh. very possible, anil to put it beyond
a doubt, you shall bear it fmm b< rown lips,
for she is come in the rarrisue with me.
How can she be here—no, never will I
see her. Know, my dear uncle, that I
have formed anew nttachmeiit. that I re
nounce fortune, refinement, wit—that I
espouse candor, ingenuousness and beauty.
My determination is taken, and nothing
ahull divert me from it—therefore, for
pity’s sake, deal uncle, lei Madame de Fu
Yetiline shun a humiliating interview.
Useless entreaties! you shall see her,
you shall speak to her, you shall tell her this
if you date—hut here ►he is. At 1 1 UW I
wolds, the door opened and Madame de Fa
vent ine made her appearance; blit what
was the astonishment of the happy Orville,
when lie recognized in her his eliaiming vil
lage girl, young, lovely, just seventeen, w ith
hiilliar.t eyes and cliesuut hair, exquisitely
chiseled nose, and ruby lip*.anil fairy figure.
Ttin TIT im nrr TTimtfrm mrmmttrm trmT
good spirits engendered by perfect henlth.
Penetrated with love mol joy*, he throws
himself on his knees before her. What,
exclaimed he, is it yon, is it von, my adora
ble unknown—you, my ileal Louisa 1 What
name shall I give you in future I
Your own, said the blushing lovely git'!,
raising him from his kneeling postnte.
Now, gentle leader, is not this a pretty
tale for the Clnistmas holidays? All ye
young bachelms, go and do likewise.
© GU © Q IM A L ■
For the “ -Giuihern Misccllsnv ”
CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.
OR WORSE ** TUCK IN” THAN “TIIE DOCTOR.”
I think it was Phillips who said “if all the
lilmul ** 1i..1v Itng lu’f'ti llxxl on
tial Evidence could he collected in one
large reservoir, justice might swim in it.
As 1 chiim no talent for cjilicUm. 1 shall
not stop here to inquire iutp the strict cor
redness of this language ofl'l'e liisli ora
tor; but ibo sentiment is one I fully adopt.
Who lias not deplored the lamentable tiutb,
that crime committed at noouilnv in the pres*
etice of a score of witnesses bus stalked
abroad unpunished, merely because the per
petiator bail the offnnhry In dare the ven
geance of the law ; while in many insfn
res the innocent have met the felon's doom
from very slight presumptions of guilt?
If there he any one let hi* mind reenr lo
the history of the Southern and S. Western
portion of the United Stales fora few years
past. If he i>e a Georgian, let him but riv
vert to a decision made not many years
since ill bis own Capitol, and aferw:nds
sanctioned by the assembled wisdom of the
State. This may be accounted for upon
evident but el mucous principles. When
crime comes to trial so well attested that
theie can be no shadow’of a doubt us to tin*
perpetrator, there is no necessity for tin*
judgement In be called in to achieve exei
cise, and consequently the sympathy of hu
man nature is left ftee and iilitrarnrneled
to exert all its powerful influence. On the
other hand, when crime iinattesti and bv posi
tive evidence is judicially investigated, the
jury, in too many instances, put imagination
on the stretch, torture eveiy circumstance
of the most trivial kind into satisfactory evi
dence. and in the eagerness of their investi
gation lose sight of the dreadful consequen
ce* of an unjust verdict. Vanity, too—a
principle universally prevalent to some ex
lent—dislikes the thought of being duped
by a poor wretch who, in all probably, ile
il<-serves the gibbet. The proneness of the
human mind to decide, in many ruses, upon
too slight piesumptions, may he exhibited
in the following narrative. Anil for fear, af
ter it shall have been rend, someone may
apply to the narrator fable nfthr mountain
and mouse, let it he rernemheied. that im
portant principles ore often illustrated by
trivial occurrences.
The narratot was recently tarrying fin a
night with n family of a village in central
Georgia. The tin me of the family shall lie
known for the pi esent as Edward*. It whs
enmpoMed of the old lady, her ton Tbomai
j NUMBER 41.
W. T. THOMPSON, EDITOR.
| anti four daughters. Mary, Elizabeth, Re
berrn, nnil Ann. Fur-some time pie vinos
In the nielii nfmy presence.Some mischiev
ous fellows of the village bail been in the
habit of going riniml and kliorkirg at the
doors nf piivate dwellings, and nf running
away “lien they lieard die footsteps of any
mie appinHi'liing In give I hem entrance.—
T Ids Imd li> ennie die rnuse nf some concern
mi llns put |nf die males, and (nf course) of
great alarm turning die females. On the
hi'l'lil nf ni v preset re, Mary being lalfrer
niiseliievimsly disposed runeliideil she would
liave a little fun. Mary. Iter mother and
| myself weie Kitting indie mother's mom be
i low stairs: the son and other daughters
were above stairs reading. Mary slips
along easily to the front door, raps hastily
and loudly, and hurries hark to her moth
er's mom, Thomas not suspecting any
trick conies d>.M;n stuns arid opens the door.
Finding no one then*, lie concludes that the
old trick has lieen played off’ on him. After
going hack to his tnom, the knocking is re
peated several times h\ the same person.—
His sisters heenrni’ig alarmed, and he en
raged, lie slips down stairs threatening ven
geance to the intruder. “ Where's my
cane 1” says lie in an undertone. “ I'll he
hound some body gels their head cracked
here to night. I know the very follow, a
enod fin nothing rascal. It's Bill Jones.”—
He getß his cane and stations himself behind
a large column in the corner of the portico
which leads into jhe front doer. After sit
ting there a few minutes, he secs a figure
in the shape of a human being moving slow
ly hackwards mid forvvaids lief ire the gate
fronting the portico. The thought occurs to
him instantaneously that this is doubtless the
inti ruler. The stranger creeps iip cautious
ly and hesitatingly as if afiaiil of someone
seeing him. At last seeming to take cour
age from the fact that no one could lie seen
by him, he assumes a holder step and ap
proaches the house. All his actions tended
to confirm the suspicion of his guilt, and as
lie is alinot rising the last step. Edwards
rushing fnrwaid seizes him by the collar,
anil shaking his cane over the head of the
astonished youth, addresses him in the fol
low ing language:
” O yes ! I’ve caught you, have 1 ? Now,
since ynu'ie so anxious Income in (attenipj
to ilk* light, and let us see mln you ale, foil
good for nothing scoundrel! Consider Volt !
I’ll leaiii ymi Mhnt ii is to he going over
town tiouhliiig folks in this way.”
“Why hi Ho! Tom! why what—what—
what's the mallet! Don't you know met
Don't you know Bill Jones k This is pretty
reception indt ed to meet with from a friei^l.
Edicttrds. Yes! and you’re a pretty
fellow, going ulioui to scaie women at this
time of night. I’ve a great mind to fiail
you.
Janet. Why, what in the sever, senses do
you mean 1 you're surely out of your head.
Edwards. Why. 1 mean it’s no maik of
a gentleman to he kneel ing at people'*
(l(ior( Hit'l then running oil, especially at thi*
time of night.
Janes. Why. has any body been here T
I assure you i vv not been here to night lic-
EHzuheth. Mighty ignorant now ! You’re
agilely, sir. Blether Tom, you may know
that's not so, from hi,*, coming lieie so late.
I’d kick him out o'door*.
Riling* Yes! I told sis Liza at first
von we:e the very identical audkteiout
wretch, and now you’ve proved it. &
Ann. These hoys about here are etitiiely
too smait any way you can fix it, and they
need something to make them know their
place.
Janes. lam truly sorry to be the suljegt
of such suspicions. Tom, do yon tliityk I
would be guilty of such an act as you accuse
me off? You dot:’t believe sli/l that I ugi
guilty 1
Ed tear As. No ! I know it. What made
you sneak up here in l lie way you did, if
you were after auv good ?
Janet. V\ hy 1 happened to lie taking a
walk, and as 1 passed by, I thought I would
cull in and see*you a while oil some business.
But it being late, and the blinds being clos
ed. so that l could not at first discover any
light, l approached thus sneukiugly, as you
teiin it, to find out if you had gone to l ed.
1 just eidled to get yonr Shakspcare. ,
Edwards. Well, Bill, as we have always
|,ecu good friends, I suppose I must take
Yiuir wind, hut I tell you it looks mighty
suspicious.
Junes. True it does. But 1 assure von
I had mr sinister motives in coming up.
The gentleman, after obtaining the book,
lefi pan of the family so fully persuaded of
his guilt, that any of them unacquainted
with the facts Mould have sworn to it in a
court of justice, even had it been a hanging
dime. Many a man equally innocent Iras
met the heaviest penalties nf the law timler
presumptions of guilt less violent than at
tended this young man. In fact, it was
with colisideiable difficulty r.cxt morning
that those of iis acquainted with the trim
state of the ruse could dissuade the others
from their firm belief—so tenacious are we
apt to be of our own opinions. The reason
of their not being inhumed in due time of
I lie mistake was, that tlie room in which w#
weie silting is separated from the door
where the scene occurred hy several other
d<ioi>. ai! of which weie closed* and roiise
<l ully we knew nothing of the rnnpe un
til the next morning. XJNU&.