HI -
AM
H i -
THE BLESSINGS OF GOVEBtf MEHT, TIKE THE DEWS OF HEAVEN; SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTED ALEZE DPOBT THE HIGH AND THE LOW. THE EICH AND THE POOR.
NEW:SERIES;
EBENSBURG; MA 9, :1855
VOL. 2. NO. 30.
-A " . J. 7 . v.
ill
TERMS:
THE DEMOCRAT & SENTINEL, is publish
ed evry Wednesday morning, in Ebensburg,
Cambria Co.'; Pa;, -at Si 50 per annum, rr paid
IS advance, if not $2 will be charged. ' '
ADVERTISEMENTS will be conspicuously in
serted at the following rates, via: 7:i -
I square 3 insertions, ? $1 00-
rery subsequent insertion,' ! " ". 25
1 square 8 months, - 1 S 00
1 . ! '6 " ' - ' - 4 00
' ' 1 year, ' ' : ! ' :J 12 00
col'n ,; 1 year, ; ' : - 30 00
1 - t ,- - ,-- - ' is oo - :-
Eiisines.i Cards, - ' ' : ' 1 ' ';& 00
tK-Twel ve lines constitute a nquare. ?
i- - From Dicken's Ilousehdd Words. .
" THE CRADLE SONG OF THE POOR.
t '" HcsH! I cannot bear to see thee . . .
j-.ri Stretch thy tiny hands in vjiin : ...;
I have got no bread to give thee,
iiJ; Nothing, child, to. ease thy pain.' '"
Vhen God sent thee first to bloss me, Z
t-.l'r- Proud, and thankful too, was I , ' . ,
-v Now, my darling, I, tby mother, , i
"' 'r Almost long to sec thee die. : - V" ?
..-, .;. gjeep my fariingt thou art weary ; .
i .;Gpd is.good.-but life is dreary. -
' I have watched thy beauty fading, '-;
And thy strength sink day by day; - r
, Soon, I know, will Want and Fever
i .Take thy little life away. - : ., .
Famine makes thy father reckless,
: ' Hope has left both him and me ;
.'s'We could suffer all.'my baby," . ' .
.. Had we but a crust for thee. , , ,if ; , , .
Sleep, my darling, thou art weary :
'' God is good, but life is dreary. '
?, JRetter thou shouldat perish early, .. , - f
t, . Starve s soon, my darling one, v r -Than
'Htc-tj want, to sin, to strtiggle . ; '
" ' ; Vaiulv 6till as I have done. ; n '
Better, that th angel ppirit , . -. ..... . .
; AVith my joy,my peace were flown. It .
,,: 'Ere thy heart grow cold and careless, "; '
' 'i! " Bec-Wes8,:hbpl:lw, like tnj own.
-r-.I : Sleep, tuy da,rUng, thou art weary
4,1 j l ; :; God ia good, bat life is dreary. . ;
1 am wasted,' dear, with hunger,;;3 ' .' '
. ;' 'And jay braia isall.oppreot,.. ' ,
j;; ; I have scarcely strength to preso thte, '
S-51-.4I TVan and feeble, to my breast. - i. !:
Tattenoe, baby, Gal will help us, ' i: - ?
j) will come to thee and cje,
.v jlle will take us to his Ueaven, '
Where no want or pain cau be.
'" - Bleep, my darling, thou art weary ; ' '
' ' ' God is good, but life is dreary!
Such the plaint, that late and early, .
Did wa listen, we might hear,.
Close betide us, but the ' thunder
Of a city dulls our ear.
. . Every heart, like God' bright Angel,
Can bid on snch sorrow cease ; '
' -' Ood has glory when his children
t. -Bring his poor ones joy and peace!
Listen, nearer jvhilo she sings
Sounds the fluttering of wrnssi
AClergymaa Engttged to be Married to
, i - r Eleven. Ladies.! ,.'
' We heard yesterday of a series of villainies per
petrated recently by a wtaf in sheep clothing, of
a, character to. bring the reverend: Im poster, if
caught, to the penitentiary. His name is John
Howard .Vilaou, -and ho has been preaching for
sometime past at Cheviot. - Being endowed with
soft oily tongue, and a sleek appearance, he tried
his killing accomplishments indiscriminately a-'
mong the nnmarried beHes oflhat wiWrban vil
lage with such success that he engaged to be mar
ried to no less than eleven, some of whom he bor
rowed money front' upon pretemw of making the
necessary arrangements toward houRe-keeping.
Of one youug Uiy he obtained fifty dollars, which
he laid between the' leaves of a Bible in her parlor,
o be used the day before the wedding; but when,
upon heann; of the pranks ' of the; sanctimonious
ITtnano, she looked in the biding plac, the bank
bills were non tut. ' . : , -
The rnanncr which led to the discovery of his
TOultifarious engagements was, that a couple of the
betrothed met, by accident, in a fashionable dry
good establishment in this city. After mutual re
cognition, they proceeded to examine various fab
rics, and make purchases. Singularly enough
their tastes assimilated so exactly that young lady
.No. 1 remarked to yonng Udy No. 2 that she
thought it was very strange. Hereuhon vounr
j7 2PIie1 tbat 80 'lt wi tut.if shef Vounl
lady An. l)could keep a secret, she would tell her
one. N umber one promised (what femanine would
not?) that her lids ahould be eternallv sealed, when
blushing like a. peony, her companion whispered
w w lie was going to toe married.---'-
To whom?" exclaimwl the excited number one.
Another promise of secrecy, and the name of the
"Tvw ,ard Wilson was breathed,
not ewi:w2',mf? number one, while her ear
' The nam! Wltcne'lh'-astonishment.- ' ,4
youn' l3rnnSain "P I forthwith
water, a fainting exSbKW f aad CoI,i
Ushment would W.., m l? Mercer estab-
sufficiently calm to expW she W when
lady number two that she wit ul'1 youn'
ment of marriage to the reverend deceiver
wasUiea making purchases, of her in
- Another, kettle of fish was the eonseqnenc of
this discWe.for yonng lady number Two
dxateiy went tbfoegh tht same motions as her prt
decessor, and again the pungent fixture and cold
water were m requisition. . The disconsolate dam.
e Is reiurned, without their purchases, to the quiet
Tillage, .where they proclaimel the viHaitiT ef the
rascally pastor, who, getting wind that sTl was dis
covered, made tracks between two days last week.
ioS. TL l hf n Hscoveredthathe
ltu & If? be?a hear1 ?f him his ab
but "Pr will turn up un-
dulitrof P h?:7,e8 h upon the ere-
cka.14 sL ? 6,WP fsmanines ,who have zpea.
FLORENCE CELESTI.
t A TALE OF ITALY. ' - i
aV IVT STARK. ,- r, , ....
" The love of woman 'tis a fearful thing."
Italy ! ' bright beautiful . Italy. : Land of
6unny skies and sweet soft winds, of flowers
whose beauty, never withers, and trees whose
verdure never fades! Land of chivalry and
romance, love and hatred! Italy, I love thee,
still ; though I may never again roam over
. thy eunny soil, and pluck theJuicy"gf apes
from the cottage vineyard. ' Yet I can think
of thee and love: thee still. ' . Reader, ; my tale
is of Italy, and is a jsad one. It ' was m the
year 1834 that a young Englishman named
Lester Morell, traveled on a iour of pleasure
through Italy... spending-some months in Ve
nice during the summer season ; his place of
residence was the large hotel for foreigners,
which has since been burnt down, and at that
place most of his time was spent in close ap
plication to studies . There were few English
families residing there, and Lester Morell did
not make many acquaintances. Sometimes
he regretted the loss of his friends, and wear
ied with study, would take his hat and saun
ter forth to enjoy the magnificent twilight of
thai favored clime. ; '- - .
It was on one of these occasions that a yonng
flower-girl approached him, and tendered a
large ' bouquet for his , acceptance.' Morell
could not distinctly see her face, which was
shaded by the. broad-brimmed hat she wore,'
but he could see the outline of a perfect form,
and hear the low, sweet tones of face Voice, as
she askedr him timidly to buy -some flowers.'
lie gave her a piece of coin, and was about to
ask a question, when she made a graceful cour
tesy, and wa? instantly lost in the crowd: It
was in vain be watched and waited she did
not come back that night, and be reluctantly
went borne to dream of. the beautiful appara
tion. Lester Morell was a man of accomplish
ed manners and noble bearing, and at the age
of 27 was older in heart than many men of
fifty. He was supremely; .BclPsb, and when
bis will was thwarted, proud and passionate,
lie bad lived a life of dissipation when youn
ger, but had wearied of it and sought in trav
el and study . some recreation for an ennuied
mind. ' It was ' that stationed him at Venice,
which just suited his artistic taste.
' The next day found Morell : watching for
the peagant girl. He had just given j the
idea of seeing her. when she suddenly appear
ed, basket in hand. Again he bought th4
tuiful flowers, and again she rapidly depar- ;
ted. This continued for three weeks, and he ,
had not yet learned either the name or resi
dence of the beautiful Italian girl. '
One evening he had been to visit a friend.
On - returning from the villa which was some
distance from town, be was overtaken by one
cf those sudden storms which sometimes sweep
across the Italian sky. He had no umbrella :
and so determined to stop at the first cottage
and get one. Thero was a neat house a short
distance from the road, : and at this be made
application. .
, The old man who opened the door asked
him in, while be sought for one, and the first
person Morell saw on entering, was bis beauv
tiful little flower girl. Instead of her straw
hat he : could see the faultless beauty of her '
head and face J her complexion was clear ol
ive,' and : jetty curls hung in rich abundance
around her delicately shaped neck. " She re
cognized Morell and blushed deeply at the
earnest gaze of -undisguised admiration which
he fixed upon her. r2io umbrella could be
found, and he was; compelled to stay till the
storm was done.- - .
: The old peasant talked familiarly with bis
guest, and during the girl's absence from the
room, told what Morell most wished to know,
who she was. The old. man was her father,
and he was enthusiastic in his praises. . Her
name was Florence Celesti, her age seventeen.
He said that she had always I followed her
present business, that of selling flowers, and
that a better daughter never 'gladened ;V
parent's heart. ' ; ' " ' ; :. ; . V.'v
Morell listened and asked the old . man if
he did not miss her in her absence. . He re
plied that he did, but there was no help for it.
' If your daughter could give instruction
in the Italian language for. foreigners, f it
would pay better,'.' said the wily Englishman.
The old peasant shook his head lio one,"
he said, " would be willing to pay for such
poor instruction. ' " '
.," If she will teach me I will give her good
pay." said. Morell .' . fJt U1 w I . -guage
pure, aud ehe could then, be at borne
with you." v K.S .,,.. !:-; .
I will tell her," replied the father, and
if she is willing, I am." , . . ,
Alas I Poor Florence. Morell, the proud
scholar already loved the Italian peasant girl !
iie came every aay ana received lessons, im
parting at the same time a knowledge of his
own tongue, Florence, bad been well educated
for one in her station," and her mind thirsted
to explore the . bidden depths of learning.
Morell . was her guides-he read to her the
histories of countries far away, which she had
never beard of, explained science, and brought
the telescope to give her an i insight into . the
beauties of astronomy. ; . -
Then she would sing the sweet melodious
songs of Italy, ftnd pUy beantiful airs upon
ie guitar, while he listened entranced to - the
wild passionate music: VHo would sit on . a
low stool at her fcet, and together they would
of the tall trees till she gUded with her soft
rays, ; the beautiful scenery near
Morell taught her to paint Nature in her
rare beauty -he guided the pencil, and Flor
ence was an. apt pupil, for it was a labor of love
she had given her young heart with it un
told lore, to the young English artist. ' -? ?
The rummer passe away; sud the graphs
were gathered. . The days were bright and
beautiful , still, and Morell and Florence took
long walks together, and he murmured sweet,
loving words in the young girl's ear, that sent
the; rich crimson glow to her face, and then she
would gaze with her dark beaming soul-lit eyes
into bis face and pushing aside the brown curl:)
from bis broad forehead, press ber lips loving
ly upon it and be would call her, ''wife,",. and.
clasp ber tenderly in his arms- . Poor Florence!
sho had no mother to tell her of the tempter's
power! .. -i --, f . . T . . ; ,
She had giyen her all of loye-psuch love, as
one born beneath a - Soother n sky alone can
know. - Her father knew not his . daughter's
danger! he did not know that the haughty En
glishman would eer wed the lowly, peasant
girl, but deemed his beautiful Florence fit for
any sphere, and so he left the lovers to them
selves. . . i." :
At last the time came that Morell must go.
But how could he tell Florence that he would
never return? - Would it be best to tell her at
once, or deceive ber still : longer , ne would
wait till he reached home, and then write.? So
he told Florence that he was going away to re
turn in a short time. i. -.; n
The poor child clung to him and sobbed bit
terly at .this first parting, but no shadow of fear
or doubt crossed her mind she wished to go
with him, but. he said be must travel in haste
and alone.' - -; , .. '., ' .? "."
Morell felt, bis own . heart pulsating more
rapidly, and be hurried away. ;, That night he
was on bis way to England. . . ,:
lie arrived at home in time to sec'ois father
die, and his estates sold to creditors leaving
him dependant on his own exertions for a living.
His former associates , looked, with i .coldness
upon the now penniless artUt. And be left Eng ,
land, . and .took, xfp . bis residence in France.
For two years he worked steadily, and during
all that time sent no word to Florence.
Apng of remorse did sometimes cross his
mind, but he consoled himself with the idea
thatthers bad done just as bad, and tried to
forget it. ; Yet he could not look at a flower,
or hear a sweet air warbled, . but he thought
of the beautiful peasant girl wbftse betrayer he
he had been.. At last he heard from a friend
in Venice , j. At the close of the letter was the
following .passage..; " Your pretty friend,
little Florence pelesti is dead died they say,
of a. broken heart. , Ah, MorelK you must
reform I really thing you go too far. I
thought you would , want to bear something
about your ' chere amie,' and so I told you.
Adieu.'!. f ; : '..:;f
The letter .was from a man .as t heartless, if
not more so than 3l0rcll, j.whq sat; almost
etupified, by the intelligence. . He had not for
one moment thought, of Florence as dead, and
iM iiiBCMir tier &rose in
his mind, he cursed his own heart that lie bJ
wrought such misery. He could not forget
her vow ; he thought of her love and devotion
to him compared with his own selfish affection,
and her face pale and wasted haunted him
like a spectre. . . , ... .
One day a French count called and reques
ted. Morell- to accompany him on attour of,
Italy, Switzerland and - Germany he was' to '
receive a handsome salary, and concluded to ,
go. ..There was an unpleasant feeling' about
his heart sometimes,; when reviewing the past, j
but in new pleasures he could easily forget it '
. He.wentand the first place they stopped
at was Venice.: Morell met his. friend . who
bad acquainted him with the death of ; Flor-1
ence, and together they plunged into the fash
ionable dissipations of the gay city. V." Morell
wished to go, but his travelling companion
was not ready, and he had to submit.' ; J-if -
He louged toknow something of the fata of
Florence Celesti, and one evening 'he walked
out to the . little .cottage. It , was desolate. ".'
The. beautiful garden Jay in ruins," the. tall
rank weeds grew up close to . the door' sill.
Morell did not dare to enter though, the.' door
was open,, and the , window, broken, he could
not trust himself to explore the ruin which he
had 'caused, . , The wind murmured sadly
throught. the deserted' rooms, and 1 shook the
ivy clambering upon the walls, Morell almost
fancied he heard a groan, and left ' the ' spot
sick,at heart. . He was beginning to taste of
the cup of jretxibution I . r'; '. .-
-i There was a masquerade ball given at .the
palace of the Count Gi.vanni . Morell was one
of the maskers, and be .wandered througbtbe
magnificent rooms in search of hiseompanion,
who had arrived earlier but failing to .find
him, sauntered out upon .the piazxa, and
leaning against one of the marble pillars, fixed
his own eyes upon the glorious scene, below.
The splendid gardens were one brilliantgroup
of flowers, over which the bright full moon shed
a chastened light, while here and there gay
groups of maskers were wandering, or stood
wswliiag Ine JOUBtains 'piay.; ;,7 jThe bafm
wind murmured throngU-.the orange trees and
laden with perfumes swept softly, past Morell
where he had stood for nearly an hour musing
over the blighted prospects and wasted .years
of his life, , when aJtanjJ was suddenly laid
upon his arm. as starting suddenly from . his
reverie be beheld a masked from beside him.
It was a female, and Morel! knew that it was
one. of j the many- Signoras ; who delight in
mystery and .intrigue i , ' - -.;
ft: Bowing gallantly be waited for the mask to
speak first, i- i..Tv.v--. ; ? --'-i
You ao sal, signor.aheysaiii in- tone
that made him start for H founded, strangely
to him. - - - - ---Ji'iw'
Of what were you thinking ?" - 1 ' i :
j 'Mdrell smiled biterlyi'-and said, : i
"It would little interest yotf; fair lady, to
inow my thoughts., t l was -muding of the
altered prospects of niy useless life; and think
iag bow etraigy it was tliat man with his baso
passions "and destroying nature, gliould mar
the beauty and grace of earth." " Yet be : was
made so. Morell spoke as if to himself .
You are young to H - so despondent," re
plied the mask. Yet yoa fpeak truly
fcarth is fair, but man blasts that fairness by
bia own evil f aions You are aa English-manr;-
'; . '--'.:. . r-f
- "Ys." ' - '
" Were you ever in Italy before ?"
' "Once I ppent'many ioiiths here " ; -.
Morell's cheeks flushed' as he spoke. ' ; '
Why do you stay "here asked the un
known suddenly; Has the ball no attrac
tion ? . V . .. ; . .1 - ". .
There are none there I care for, or who
care for me.? '. i' . ,
j ; Yon arrf particular, signor. Canyon not
laugh" and dance with the rest, or do you really
prefer solitude?" ' ; - : t; if.-.f-'i . :
Morell lor&ed at the mask .' There ' was a
cold sarcasm in ;the last tone i of voice,' that
surprised him and he Kuld see the passionate
eye bent full upon him. He was determined
to discover d the lidy was. ' ,
Wilt you be m partner ?" be asked.
'If so. Twill join the dancers.'? - ;
" I do not d ance, but I will walk with you
in the garden."- , ; ' - " ' - ; .- -;
They 6trolled through the walks, and' the
mask, who wore a ' rich black satin domino,
attracted considerable attention. . 5 r ?
Who can she' bo 1" asked a young noble,
cf his companion . " Her form is superb, and I
am Eure her face must be correspondingly beau
tiful."; , -.
, I do not know, was the answer, " but
the count will tell you " t ; -i.
The count did not know, however, and the
curiosity remained ungratified. ; Meanwhile
Morell and his unknown : companion entered
the conservatory, and the lady commenced ar
ranging the flowers in tasteful bunches -
"You are used to arranging them," re
marked Morell, and have an artistic eye to
their beauty and coloring " , ii vv.
' - The mask stopped and looked at him. in
tently She waa evidently thinking of some
thing far away, for she 6aid abstractly." , .
: -' Yes 1 am," at the same time dropping a
white rose from her hand.; ; ;
He stooped and picked it up, saying as , he
did SO. ! ,:. 0 ' I ' . - ; J . '
i "It is Withered." ' ' . - , - ' '
i - The mask took it and replied,". : - Z -'
' It is not the first rose that has ' withered
from neglect." ; '
- " Her tone was sad, but in a moment more
she added lightly." J - ..' . .,-
- Conie,'eit2nor, to the ball room."
There was a strange fascination hi ber man
ner that Morell could not resist, and he followed
her to the interior of the palace. - They enter
ed the room, and the lady said: -v y , ..
I must go now." -- ' - .. . ',. I
' "You will allow me fo accompany you 2"
" No, I go alone.". " - v .
! "But may I not see you again?"; i . .'
- Yes;; Meet me at the ball room to-morrow
night. .ilK .? ' .
' ' Will you not let me see your face'"'
t- -ytr v. I i " -jr.,- -mas k
"Scornfully; x on would like to see it i. think!
Yes, Signior, but not to night. Adieu !" and
she was gone before Morell, who was surprised
at her manner, could observe her : departure.
That night the youog man told his friend
of his adventure and described the mask
"I knowber' he exclaimed, when Morell
had finished speaking. ' ' It is the Countess
Maria, the widow of old Count i Berteli. By
Jove! :i Morell, you've made your fortune, if
she has fallen in love with you. -; IShe la im
mensely rich and the most beautiful woman
in Italy.-5 -You're a lucky fellow; be sure and
follow her round " ; '. :r;
The next night MorelV wept to the ball.;
He waited ia long time but the mask - did ' - not
come." He. was about lo go into the garden 'xa
search of her, when she stood by his side!5 That
night the conversation .took a different turn
They talked of love, that fatal passion which
firms so large a part in the drama of Italian
life, and of life anywhere. Morell shuned the
subject: ;" f ; : -:v ' : . : .
" " Do vou not believe it ?.' asked his com
panion. Have you never loved V l"-
" Xot as you do," was' the reply. r " Our
English natures are different from yours."
" Then you have neycr.loved, neverrwon
the love of a true heart and repaid it with
your own " r. ! -A -nr : -U I-:.-'---
- -'"No." He turned aside to shun the gaze
which- be fdt was bent upon him. ,? No my
life has been a roving one and I. am somewhat
fastidious." ;fn;;-A u,i .:4a: Ji i .Lite
" JIow cold and cruel those words sounded.
Alas poor Florence 1 Night after, night the
unknown mask and Morell were together, at
the season' balls. But they participated little
in the guides attendant. . - Morell was ever
listening to his mysterious companion, charmed
by the power he could not over come. - Till at
at last he made & ' passionate declaration of
love to her whose face he had not yet seen,
lie was urged on by bis Italian friend who had
declared her identity; - The mask listened to
j, .. im ana ner eyes naaiiea witir-wimgq-wild
light, 'j-' -rx 1 i-.i o.-i j;..
I will accept,"" was the reply,"' upon one
condition, that We are married to-night.".
7 Morell was somewhat startled at the strange
request " but considering it a mere whim -' of
the lady, consented and seeking his friend;
dpatched him for a priest. j; And now all the
wealth of Count Bertelli ' was about to pass
into his hand. That could "- reconcile him to
anything, and he awaited the priests arrival.
' jlle stood near the open window; and as the
night wind murmurel through the trees," he
imagined it had a' wailing sound.',-' -An i icy
chill crept over him and .at the moment the
priest came.,' andenteriug a small room,- they
stood before the holy father." - The countess
still wore the black mask, and nought of her
face could be seen ".save the strange light of
her eyes; which wore a passionate triumphant
look.-;; ;r;?:--1-1-:;;1
' The marriajc service,' was concluded, - and
.Morell led; his bride' back to the . ball room'.'
As he passed the ball a light scornful .laugh
met his ear. ' -he brido trembled eo'nvulsive
ly, and her b -ud was cold as ice." V The Eng
lishman led her to te riiost retired part of the
room, a deep rece3 windowj an-I seated huui
self beside her. T -, j . r v if 'e'.? 1
' . You will caiaaak' now ?'. te asked, u j
" Do vou wi-h m to?'-:" ,
1 ("ertainly. I am longing to look' upon
your beautiful features." f
- You say that you love me V - i '
I do most devotedly." ,; ' - ?
" And you are prepared to see niy faceT
Stand up there!" ;
-Morell felt a nervous dreed of what he did
not know ; but he rose and stood In the clear
light of the chandalier. . . t
." Are you ready to look? ";... -:.
, She slowly raised the mask, end he looked
upon the deathly features of Florence Celesti !
There was a fearful scream and the dancers
Last'.ned to the spot .where lay Morell. bathed
in blood. A light poignard lay beside him,
with which he . had suddenly been, tabbed.
But the mask was gone '. ;: c , ,
They raised the dying man and bore him
from the room. As they did so. - a low ; tri
umphant laugh rang upon his ears. The
hour of retribution had come at last . . ...
It was many years after that an aged nun
died in the monastry of St. Bernard. It was
Florence, the report of her; death had been
false. , It was the Italian friend of Morell
who had .instiga'el ber to kill him and avenge
her .wrongs - He had loved her previous to
Morell, and had sworn eternal vengeance,
Such is Italian love ! .
GETTING IN THE HOUSE AT NIGHT
;: ..WITHOUT MAKING A NOISE. :
' ' - . ., . .
..' B Y T O M . '." - '
.The door was locked when I got home and
how to get in without waking up ''the govern
or," was the difficulty.: I knew he'd give me
"particular fits" if ho knew I was out after
ten, and the clock had just struck one ' The
backyard was an impossibity, ' and but one
chance remained. There was a porch over
the front door, the roof of which was but a
few feet below two windows.1 One of them I
knew it was fastened down : and the other open
ed from a bedroom, which mightor might
not be occupied. An old maiden . sister of
Jim's wife had arrived on the same day,' and
it was very probable that she was in that roQm;
but I knew the bed was in a corner farthest
from the window, and hoped I would be able
to get iu and through the room' without awa
kening her, and then I had a comparatively
easy thing of it. So, getting a plank from a
neighboring board pile, I rested it against
the eaves of the shed, pulled off my shoes, put
them in my pocket, and then "cooned up."
All right so far, tut I thought it necessary,
in order not to arouse any suspicions in ' the
morning, to remove the plank; so crazgirg it
up, I threw ofl the end, and down it went with
au awful clatter on a siray dog that" had fol
tuwra meiur two or ini S-rvs;-wntr im
mediately oet up the most awful howl a whip
ped hound ever gave tongue to. That started
half a dozen other dogs in the neighborhood
barking; a mocking-bird in the window above
commenced singing as if be intended to split
his throat at it; and an old woman,, in her
night-clothes, with a candle in her hand ap-r ;
peared at a window across-the streets . lknew
I was 6afe as far as the was concerned, but if.
any one came to vur windows the candle gave
enough light to very probably discover me ;
Nobody di'Jcome, however, and the old lady,
after peering tip and down the street for a
minute or more, popped her head- in and re-,
tired. The mocking-bird stillkept up its eter-
nal whistle, and it Was fully half an hour be
fore it and the dogs settled down and gave me
a chance to move. Creeping slowly along the
wall, till I reached the window I put my
hands on the Bill,' sprung up, and, with my
head and shoulders within, and my legs hang
ing out, stopped to listen. . . Yes. she teas in
that room far I could hear her breathing;
After waiting for a minute, I cautiously drew
up one leg, then the other, slewed them rouodt
and putting them down to the floor, was con
scious that I had stepbed oS something soft
and yielding, and was about withdrawing them
when another yell broke out at my feet the
oh! maid jumped up. from her bed - prying
"Murder! murder!" and the dogs and mocking-bird
started again. I saw through it all;
I had -"put my foot in it," in more ways than
one J A little darkey wasljingbn a blanket,
undef the window, and I bad stepped on her
face; and, of course, woke her up, I decided
in a flash what to do The , bouse would be
aroused, and I caught, to a certainty, unless
I could get to my room before the governed
was up; but I hadn't a moment to Josei. for
the little nigger waa yelling, , and the woman
screaming ; ed Iv started for the door, made
three steps and struck a chair tumbled oter
it, of course made the awfulest racket you
ever heard of in the " dead hour of night.'l in
aneaceable house ; the nigger and the old aiaid
screamed louacr matr-evcr; the umcking-biid
whistled like a steam-whistle, and the dogs
fairly made a chorus as loud as J ullien'a. ' I
reached the door, however, swiftly aDd quietly
opened it, andjast got outside in tinie: to see
the old gentleman open h is door, with a can
dle in, his hand, and, come hurrying up the
etairs. . Not a moment was to be lost. There
was a, wardrobe near where I stood, and I
sprung behind it ' Up came the "govemer"
who reached the door opened it, went n, and
in the meantime there Was all sorts of confusion
and inquiry down Mai rs as to ; what was the
matter. Nobody else came up. though, apd
from, where I stood I heard every word of in
quiry and explanation in the room, . Of course
tbey couldn't make much out of it, ' The lit
tle darkey was too frightened and top sound
asleep at the time , to uuderstand the, truth;
the uphhot of the basiness was, that they'-concluded
she had been dreaming ; and the " gov
jerutr." after giving her a sound spanking,
and 'explaining the matter.'; to .the, aroused
aeighbont, from the wbdowj' went down to his
room again. , . .
Jv.Sdfar.w good. rll now had to go down
tair, reach the baekdoor, unbar it, get uitp
the yard., and make for my room, which was
in the second tory of a back building that
Ktoad unconnected with, and about a dozen
yards from, the rnsin on". Aftr; giving, err-
erybody another lialf-hour to settle down again,
I started. Boys, did you ever try to go up or
down a pair of rtairs at midnight, without ma-
king a noise? You may try all sorts of ways,
but every step is sure to crack, each with a
pecular noise of its own, and loud enough, you
are certain, to waken everybody. I had got
ten nearly to the bottom., when a little dog'
came trotting up the entry towards me, jelling
furiously. ; A suppressed " Come here. sir.
ou Zip, silenced him, for be recognized me;
utthe cur started the mocking-bird, and the .
dogs in the neigborhood baying learned to
take the cue, of course all joined chorus, for
the third time. I ran along the' passage,
reached the door, and unlocked it, just as the '
governor, aroused the second time, opened his
door, and, seeing a man escaping from the
bouse by .' the back way, of course cried
"Thieves! thieves!" and made a rush "after
me. ' I was too quick for him, though; I open- '
ed the door, sprang out, broke for the door,
that opened into the room below mine, and
had just reached it, when craail within afoot -of
my head went a brick, and another voice, -.
that J knew belonged to our next door neigh
bor, Tomkins, joined the ." governor" in the
cry of "Thieves! Thieves!" Murder! Thieves!"
I was safe, though. Bushing up the stairs.
I " shelled" myself quicker than I ever did
before or since, and was in bed and sound a
slerp in less than half a minute. Wasn't there
a row, though ? I never heard so many dogs
before; the mocking-bird, of course, waa out-,
doing all previous efforts ; the chickens even
began to crow,' and Tomkins, next door, was
hallooing "Thieves!" and calling the "gov-,
ernor." I could hear screams and all sorts :
of talking and noises among the neighbors,
until at length the old gentleman's voice was
heard in the yard calling "Tom ! Tom!"
Tom was sound asleep snoring ! - '
" Tom I" cried the old man, in a voice that '
would have roused a man from an eplcptie fit.
I judged it prudent to wake then, and,:
jumping from . my bed, raised the window;
and rubbing one eye, and looking particuarly
frightened (which I was) asked: . .
"Why, father, what in . the '. world's the
matter? '. .
. " There's thieves in the house !" was
the
reply ; " get your gun and come down,
and
be quick!"
' " He's in that room below you, Tom V hal
loed Tomkins, Tm certain of it. I saw him
as he ran down,' and threw a fire-brick at him.
I know he didn't pass that door, Mr Jones.
.1 was directed to " look out for myself;"
the governor stood sentinel at the door, below,
armed with a club, while Tomkins had five
miuutes to collect aid from the neighbors, and
in less than half the time, so thoroughly was
cvT.y house alarmed." there was a dozen or
more meu m iuc j uum nu gu,
tols, and sticks.
The " governor" led the attack. Opening
the door, lie called, "Come out here you
house-breaking saoundral! If you attempt to.
run or resist. I'll blew your brains out I" No
body came, however. r , ,
" Watch the door," was the order, . white
I go in ; and I was told to look sharp," and
" shoot the rascal if he came up staira." A
momentary search was sufficient to satisfy ev
erybody that the thief was not in that room.
"He's up stairs, then, " cried Tomkins,
" for I'll take my Bible oath be didn't pass
tbat door."
So np stairs they trooped, but I bad lit a
candle by that time, and there was no bugbeaj
there. The strictest search, even to looking
under a bootjack, didn't show the faintest
trace of him. The yard was next examined,
then the bouse, and everybody being at length
tolerably well satisfied that he had escaped,
the neighbors dispersed to their several homes;
but I waa appointed sentinel for the rest of
the sight, and ordered not to go to sleep on
my post under penalty of a floggingr'' ; ' , .
The articles missing, on a thorough' inves
tigation next day, were two pics and the old
lady's silver thimble. The thimble turned up
in a weekor two; being discovered under a
corner of the carpet; but the pies have never
been accounted for to this day On oath, I
could have given very material testimony as
to the disposition of the stolen property, but,
as the case didn't come befprc court, I remain
ed quiet.. t 1,. ' ' V ,' ,' ' ;" " '1.
... Didn't the local editors town though I One
of them elongated bimsclf through a quarter
of a column, and headed the item, " A Dialrii
cat and Atrocious . Attempt at Burglary and
Murder i" describing, with graphic particulars,
the " fiendish attempt to throttle Miss
and her servant," complimented the" coolness
and resolution of.R. Tomkins, Esq.'.'and
perorated with a withering anathema on the
want of vigilance displayed by the police.
Itwas fun for me to see with what' Wide
awake sagacity the watchmen used to stop at
the front door and listen, during their nightly
rounds, for a month after ; and you couldn't
have bribed ayotingster to go under the porch,
on any account, after dark., The excitement
jlied, : away j thoixghj after a while; . but I'll
never forget tho night I tried to get into tb
house '.without .making, a ,noiso."---V". I.
A Chip or th Oluj Blocc. rW have
heard of a child 4 taking . after his father,"
but not exactly in the Way recorded by a co
temporary journal t ' --v : r -A : ; -
- . " We once knew, an eccentric man ia the
" Nutmeg State," in its northern part, who
went by the familiar title of, " Unci Aaron."
The old man bad raised a large family of hoys,
the youngest of whom-r-a wiki roystering blade
-was named after himself. I In speaking of
his family, the old man said, with a long faee :
; 'Among all-my boys, I never bad but on
who took after his father," and that was my Aa- '
ron i he took after .ma uith a e'ui ' " x
3T Lorenzo DowdeHned a death-bed r:e
tance to be burning out the candl ' fe in
the service of tbe'dcvil. and; t" the
snuff in the Lord 'face. . ; ?