The Santa Fe weekly gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.T. [i.e. N.M.]) 1851-1854, 1854-04-08
THE TRAP DOOR.
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.

The road, or apology for one, for it hardly de-
served the name, wound through lonely forest
which c0nc0urse Of h0arse sounds served 10
make anything but agreeable or livening to my
spirits, worn out as was by days travel.
deratcly and lesurey, but with such good earn
est that was soon wet to the skin. In this di-
omma, looked around anxiousl for shelter
of some kind. 1t was with a sense of relief
that behed little distance in front of me a
small house, the home doubtless, of an adven-
turous farmer. who, for the sake of more elbow
room, had located himself on the very outskirts
Of civilization.
rode up to the house, and rapping at the
door with my riding whip, requested odmittonce.
Nv call was answered hv woman of middle
age, in whom noticed little more than anxious
careworn expressions of which ut the time, did
not take particular notice.
''Cnn you accommodate me to night? ~ ask
ed am wet to tho skin with the rain, and it
is impossible 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-
"You could be better Accommodated at the tN-
vcrn about four miles distance from here"
'It might as well be forty" said |, with de.
cision.-"As for Accommodations, any thing will
suit me. A bed on the straw, or rug, with a cup
of tea and piece of bread, if YOU have them,
will strengthen me for to-morrow's ride"
Apparently, this removed the wOman's obiec
tionq, for without further opposition, she led
the way into the common sitting room, in which
were seated two rough, shock k-headed youngest
ers, and an infant who seemed ailing. At least
so Inferred from the squalls which it poured
fourth, with a compass of voice truly astonsh
ing in a creature so young.
Nd The master of the house apparently was not
at home. plain repast was very speedily set
before me, and partakpn Of with an appetite
which could not by any means be called "poor."
| did uot attempt to engage my hostess in con-
versation. She appeared disnclned to it, and
even if she had not been, the cries of the child
which she was striving in vain to quiet, would
have eiectually prevented it. As for the two
boys, they stared at me with an intensity that
sh wed their determination to know me again
After supper, took my lamp and was usher
ed into large law room on the second floor, in
one corner of which was plain bedstead
which, with four chairs and looking glass
ten inches by twelve, completed its arrangement
so far as furniture went.
81 hope YOU will rest quiet" said the woman
as she withdrew.
LIFT to myself, first boted the door, and
then disarrangcd myself, leaped into bed, where
was soon buried in pn easy sumber; uneasy be-
cause | cYuld not throw off some anxious
thoughts which had obtruded upon me during
the dav.
1t might have been twelve O'Clock when a.
woke from my troubled sleep, and become cons
cous of conference which was being held just
outside my door.
One voice at once recognized as being the
farmers wife, the other conjectured to be hel
husbanl's
"Ilavc You killed him?" asked she softly.
"Yea.' said the man.
"And where did YOU bury him ?"
"In the swmNp, about mile dlstanP
"Dii he make much reslstance|
"No, didn't give HIM a chance. raised
my Gun and struck him on the head with it, sc
tnht ne was StunnPu III ohco'
listened ntentlv to these words, was con-
vinced that they referred to the murder of some
unsnsppctng person, with what purpose lcou
not gather. bv the master of the house. My
blood ran cold at the GOODNESS with which itwa'
deta,lpd. determined, if ever got out Of this
den of murders, would secure his arrest.
But the conversation was resumed, and lis
tened once more.
GLOW shall we get in ?" inquired the farmer
"Not by the door, for Pve tried it and found
it boltcd,"
perceived thev were now speaking of enter
ING nv chamber, doubtless with the same design
of numbering me, and possessing themselves Of
my property.
"Try the trap.door?"
eyes, hut if he should walk up"
80, no fear of that"
Tho steps receded.
So, thought |, there is trap door. Well,
be prepared for thom.
graspcd my pistol convulsiyely, determined
if gave up my life it would not be without
resistance.
waited few moments, listened intently
At length could here slight rustng be-
meath the floor, which was succeeded by the
cautious lifting up of a trap door in the centre
of an apartment which had not noticed. The
farmer slowly emerged with lantern in his
hand.
Now thought |. is my time.
Leapiug from the bed exclaimed. aiming a
pistol at the intruder.
"Not step farther, or you are dead monp'
The farmer recoiled, while as conicctured,
the surprise Of detected vilIany filed him with
confusion.
"Villain, your base designs are fathomed
With your hands red with the murderewhich
you have already pcrpetrated this day, you
would attempt another.
"Is the man mad p muttered my host.
"Can you deny that you have to-day commit
ted murder? Can you deny that within the
last few minutes you have declared the manner
in which you did it, and for which villain that
you are, you shall receive full punishment ~
To my astonishmcnt, the farmer burst into q
hearty laugh. When the eft" was over, he
unoEo-