Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-12-24
fFrnm The Boston Museum
.H lAiOuA 'uS DOotoh onuScuu.
THE TRAP DOOR.
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.

Twas late in the evening of a certain day. some
years since, that found myself travelling in one OF
the widest portions of the great West. The road,
or apology for one for it hardly deserved the name
wound through lonely forest, which concourse Of
hcarse sounds served to make anything but agreea-
bic or livening to my spirits worn out as was by
| a days hard travel.
TO mend matters it began to rain, not moderately
and leisurely, but with such good earnest that |
was soon wet to the skin. In this dilemma look
ed round anxiously for shelter o. some kind 1t
was with sense of relief that behed little dis
lance in front Of me small house the home doubt
less of an adventurous farmer, who, for the sake
of more elbow-roOm, had located himself on the
| very outskirts of civilization.
l rode up to the house. and tapping at the door
with my ridng-whip requested admittauce. Ny
! call was answered by woman Of middle age in
whom noticed little more than anxious care-worn
expression, OF which, at the time, / did not take
| particular notice.
| Can you accommodate me for tonight asked
| 81 am wet to the skin with the rain, and it is i'm
| possible for me to 90 further. My horse too is
worn out with fatigue, as he has been on his feet
all day"
| The woman paused, and saw a shade of re-
! luctance pass over her countenance.
You could be better accommodated" she said
at length, at the tavern four miles distance from
| here
ut might as well be forty" said l. with decision
"As for accommodations, anything will suit me-
A bed on the straw, or rug, with cup of tea and
piece Of bread, if you have them, will strengthen
me for to-morrow's ride" Ek
Apparently, this removed the womans objections
for without further opposition she led the way into
the common sitting room, in which were seated
two rough, shock headed youngsters and an iu-
FAINT, who seemed ailing At least so l inferred
from the squalls which it poured forth, with COM
pass of voice truly astonishing in a creature so
young
The master of the house apparently was not at
home. A plain repast was speedily set before me-
and partaken Of with an appetite which could not
by any means be called poor" | did not attempt
to engage my hostess in conversation. She aD-
peared disinclmed to it, and even if she had not
been, the cries Of the child, which she was striving
in vain to quiet, would have effectually prevented
it. As for the two boys they stared at me with an
intensity that showed their determination to know
me again.
Alter supper, I took my lamp and was usbered
into large low room on the second floor, in one
corner Of which was plain bedstead, which, with
four chairs and ooking-glass ten inches by twelve,
completed its arrangements so far as furniture
went
Il hope you will rest quiet" said the woman, as
she withdrew.
Left to myself | first bolted the door, and then
disaranged myself leaped into bed, where / was
SOOu DuFitu III dl uneasy uneasy because
l could not throw oil some anxious thoughts which
had obtruded upon me during the day. |
1t might have been twelve o'clock when l awoke |
from nay troubled Sleep and became conscious of
a conference which was being held just outside nv
my door.
One voice l at once recognized as being the far
mers wife; the other l conjectured to be her hus-
bands.
'Have you killed him." asked she softly
- said the
"And where did you bury him?'
"In the swamp about a mile distant"
Odd he make much resistance?'
No, l didn't give him a chance | raised nv
gun and struck him on the head with it so that he
stunned at once"
l listened intently to these few worde was
convinced that they referred to the murder ofsome
person, with what purpose | could
not gather by the master of the house. Ny blood
ran cold at the coolness with which it was detailed
determined, II ever / got out OF this den of MUIR
derers, | would secure his arrest
But the conversation was resumed, and listen
ed once more.
How shall we get in?' inquired the farmer.
"Not by the door, for I've tried, and found it
bolted"
perceived they were now speaking ofentering
my chamber doubtless with the same design of
me, and possessing themselves Of my
property.
Try the trap-dOOr.
eyes, but if he should wake up
20, no fear Of that !
The steps receded. I
50" thought l, there is trap-door. Well, 1
Will be prepared for them"
| grasped my pistols convulSively, determined
hat gave up my life it would not be without =
| waited a few moments listening intently. At !
ength | could hear a slight rustlng beneath the I
oor, which was succeeded by the cautious lifting
p Of tTap-doOr in the centre of the apartment !
which had not noticed. The farmer slowly emer-
ed with lanter in his hand.
Now thought |, 'isn.y time"
Leaping from the bed, l exclaimed, aiming a
lsto at the lntudrr-
Not step farther or you are dead mani"
The farmer recoled while as l conjectured the
lrprlse Of detected vlllany filed him with coniu L
on. ..
william, your base designs are fathomedI With !
our hands red with murder which you have al ]
eady perpetrated this day. you would attempt an
ther" =
Is the man mad" muttered my host !
Can you deny that you have to-day committed v
urder? Can you deny that within the last few
nutes you have declared the manner in which you :,
id it. and for which, villain that you are you shall
,ceve full punishment e
To my establishment the farmer burst into hear le
laugh When the aft" was over he spoke u
"You are right sir. l have committed murder
,-day have killed no less person than my I
og Sack, who has lately shown signs OF being i
ad" .l.. r.. eI
At this ludorous Interpretation, my dgnifed n
ernness fell apace. l managed to proceed with
me severity.