Word: latch
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Dates: during 1870-1879
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...attempting to return he met with an unexpected obstacle. He pushed against the door at the head of the stairs, and found that it refused to open. He felt for the knob, and attempted to turn it, but it merely slipped around without catching the latch. The horrible thought flashed upon him that the latch had broken and that he was locked up for the night. It was past eight o' clock on Saturday evening, and the passers-by were few and far between. With the calmness of desperation, he took off his rubbers and backed up against the door...
...next flight to one of the rooms above. In about five minutes' time he came down, whistling as before, and with light knock and heavy kick demanded admittance at our door. Smith, innocent youth, supposing that he was about to admit a jovial classmate, drew back the latch, opened the door, and stood face to face with the enterprising young dun above mentioned. Outwitted and crestfallen, Smith paid his bill of $17.50 without a murmur, and ever since that day he has been an altered...