Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-12-03
BEDFORD. PA. FRIDAY. DECEMBER 3. 1858.

asked 10 retire, when the landlord picked
up short piece of candle, and lighting it,
babe me follow. We assembled a close narrow
staircase, al the head of which was a door, and
through which we entered room. The f9rni-
ture was anything but inviting, especially the
bed.
i guess you'll have to undress in the dark
said the host, moving toward the door, Il ain't
got any caAdlestick, and in fact, can't spare
that candlestick'
i can't 30 that, SIR / replied promptly, Il
must have that candle''
4 can't hardly spare it, sttanger,' and he
kept backing toward the door.
'Will you give me that candle 2 demand
ed.
well, Ircckon you'll have to have it, said
he, yielding it very reluctantly.
When he had Withdrawn, | examined the
door, aud found there was nothing by which it
could be fastened. All MY suspicious were
now aroused, and had the glorious and pleas
ing reflection that / was in a nest of robbers;
bat still thought | might be mistaken, and
that the landlord was only acting from ignor
| aneei or want of knowledge Of the rules Of
hospitality.
iow'to secure my door was the next thought,
aud only ose way presented itself, and that
was, TO placs my bed against it. When this
idea occurred tc my mind, my attention
drawn TO the bed, and discovered that it was
surrounded with a curtain, which descended
from the raaing to the floor. Under any other
circumstanoes, this would not have appeared
uncommon, but at the present time it was III
direct contradiction to the other arrangements
of the apartment. | thought somebody might
be concealed beneath it, and then it might be
used for other purposes. How to ascertain
whether thepadcr part of the bed was occu-
pied without exposing vital part of my body,
was a querys
'Ah. uowsI have it, thought [. turned
the curtain up all around, and taking my re-
! vclyer, leveled it so that it would be to
hit any Object underneath the bed, IA the Same
time say yiug aIAao minutes to come oat or
fire. | listened for about ninuse, aud the
| stiffness became insufferable. Was mistaken?
and dare / risk my head low enough to take
peeps Would it be jadlcious to FIRE and
alarm the host, ii no one was ther& | was
about TO withdraw tae pistol, when | detected
slight suppressed breathing. At this discov-
cry, thrill passed through me like an electric
shock, ana my heart palpltated audbly.
'Oae haif-iniuute more 10 make your appear
ance, said I, or fire.
An interval gt silence, then of sbuf1ing,
and the head OF man peered from beneath
the bed, followed in snake-lke order by the
body.
'Ha" said |, 'you were prepared to cut my
throat; Pll save you that SIN by mrking hole
through your head as | pressed the pistol
close to his forehead. He dropped upon his
knees in an imploring position, but not word
escaped him.
then took tue case frcm the bolster on the
bed, aud drew il over him, aud fortunately, it
was long enough to partially confne his legs.
| then cut place for him to breathe through,
and tumbled him into one corner.
drew my bed against the door, aud secured
it otherwise, as best / could. [ placed my
weapons, Of which had good supply-three
revolvers and large knife-in u. convenient
position. ] then took a seat upon the bed, and
PATIENTLY awaited the result of my prepara-
tons.
My candle had burnt out, and |, despite of
all exertions to the contrary, had become
sleepy, and several times caught myself nod
ding.
A rustling in the corner warned me that my
captive was making efforts to free himself.
keep quiet,' said l, 'or this knife will fnd
the way to your heart
In about an hour after, heard gentle rap
ping upon the door. No answer being made,
a voice said, in whisper:
Zip, Tip, is it done?'
'Yes,' whispered back.
'Let me iu, will your
sNnt yet
well, hurry
Directly
!. During this time / was rapidly considering
what course to take, or how to manage the at
fair. Should | admit this man, how could
secure him! All the BEDFORD why did not
think of that before ? / instantly threw the
clothes off the bedstead, loosenej the cord,
and then pulled tho remainder of the bed away
from the door.
ssCome in" said |, as opened the door
The man stepped confidently in: and as be did
so | warned him not to ntter syllable, or he
was dead man. Holding the pistol with one
hand, wound the rope around his hands until
they were fast, then lying the pistol down, l
securely tied his hands aud feet, ana set him
down.
In a little while saw light ascending aud
approach the door. The same signal was Civ
en- as before, when / opened the door, aud the
landlord entered with light His consterna-
ton was the most ridiculous, as he beheld me
with pistol at bis breast, bidding him be ST.
lent. | then tied his hands and feet, aud, with
an admonition 10 keep silence, set him upon the
floor.
They kept coming, and | binding them over
to keep the peace, until had six in the room
and, b. the dim glare of the candle, they pre-
sented ludicrous appearance.
After long pause, the seventh man came,
and when let him iu, 1t was the one who had