The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-10-28
ROBBERY AND MYSTERY.
ae A TRAVELLER. 5 ~ai

TRAVELLER. s a
Soon after entering the capital of The
so-called Mexican Republic, as was ny
usual custom while sojourniDg in a for
eign city, | hired for my servant man
capable of acting as cicerone about The
town. At this time I had in my possess.
lon a bill to exchange upon wealthy
house; but not caring to have it honored
before my departure, | thought it best tc
retain it till the last moment, as the care
of large sum of money would be trou-
blesome to one whose desire was to be
free from standing guard over his own
effects.
For this reason I did not even call up
on the drawees of the bill; and as I was
stranger to them personally, l thus laid
myself liable to total loss, in the event
OF the sane falling into the possession of
some dishonest individual, who might rep
resent himself as the proper payee. That
| con- mitted great error in thus neglee-
ting to secure myself against false repre-
sentation IN error by which my means
and life might have been the forfeit--thc
peruser of this transcript from nay note
book will clearly perceive.
had been some three or four days in
tie city, promenodiDg through its princi.
pal thoroughfares aud drives, glancing
modcstly at the dark, lustrouseyed beau
ties that | continually met and passed,
when | said to my man Pablo, that he
mast now take me in hand and show me
everything that could possibly interest
foreign traVeler. Pablo, may remark,
by the way, was one of the keenest .ogues
that ever lodged the police and kept bis
worthy neck outside of hslter-though
this | learned too late to save myself some
trouble-aud be had the reputation of
having once been an Indifferent actor,
which will account for bis node Of put
ting his questions.
Does your worship wish to 60 behind
the scenes p he quietly inquired.
"Even into the green room of the town
Pablo" laughed |, "and observe, if pos
sible, the make up of the actors.
"The best time for that then, Senor, is
at night, while the dramatic corps are
preparing for their parts"
"We will begin tonight. Pablo"
We did begin that night; and before
the bell tollcd the hour Of twelve, I fan
cied I had seen the city of mobiles and beg
gars turned inside cut. At least l had
seen enough to content me; and as we is-
sued from splendid gambling saloon,
where beautiful and fascinating Senori-
ia was dealing monte for the benefit of
herself and numerous admirers, | said:
"Now then for our hotel, Pablo!'
"One adventure more, Senor, and your
worship shall retire with the wisdom of
Solomon!' ....
"One adventure more" I assented.
With this Pablo began to lead the way
through dark, narrow street; when sud.
denly, as | turned sharp corner hea-
W mantle was thrown over MP head and
my person at the same moment seized by
two powerful rufians, ore of whom forced
a gag into my mouth, while the other PIN
ioned my arms. i.
"Senor," said calm. quiet voice, "it
were easier for US to kill than take you
alive; hut your life We do not seek; so be
governed by policy, and make no resist
ance, and you shall not be harmed. We
Willtell you presently what We require of
you. Pray follow as we lead !''
I did so-for was in their power and
could do nothing better--and in the
course of a couple of minutes found my
self alongside OF carriage, With request
that | would enter it. stll obeyed-I
not With the best grace and most pleasant
feelings-but quiesc gently and without dis
turbance. My kidnapPers entered with
me, still keeping me linioned and gagged,
and away We whirled.
Fifteen minutes-or less time it might
have been-b ought US to halt beneath
some dark. archway. -e~ - .-.
"Senor,' said the spokesman, shave
the goodness to alight and suffer me to
conduct your worship iDt0 a private a.
partment"
| got out of the carriage, and was led
down some ten or dozen steps, into what
l fanced, from the change of atmosphere,
20 be damp stone vault, beneath the
surface Of tic earth. The cloak was still
over my eyes; tut presently could see
the reflection Of light; aud Immediately
after this the mantle was removed, and
two masked men, dressed in black, one
of them holding sort Of dark lantern,
were revealed to my view. glanced
quickly around the apartment, and saw
that it was small, having rough stone
walls, and only one outlet, the door
through which We bad entered Save two
or three rough benches, il was empty alsoi
and pointing me to one of these, the same
person who had before addressed me,
said
"Pray be seated, Seuor. and We will
give you liberty to speak,
/ complied with the request, aud ne at
once stepped forward and removed the |
gag. As soon as found | could use my
voice. sternly demanded the meaning