The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-04-25

very anclent-looklng dwelling, and vi
olently rang the bell. l followed her
not exactly from prudential motives. bu
because | wanted to see more of her, ant
because | was fond of adventure of any
kind.
Almost instantly the door was opened
when | followed the young girl inside
An old, hdeous looking negro woman
stood in the hall just beyond the door
holding lamp in her hand.
why. what's de matter, Carline p
demanded the hag.
"Shut the door quick l have beer
waylaid by ruffian - responded the
girl excitedly. "This way, sir !" she
said, at the same time opening the parlol
door, and pointing into the room.
l bowed and passed in; and at the
same time heard the front door closed
and locked.
Excuse me for moment, sir, while
l speak to my mother" pursued the
young girl, and before l had time to re.
ply the door was closed, and l was left
alone.
walked to SOFIA light was burn.
ing in the room-and sat down. Then
l took survey of the apartment The
furniture had been good in its day, bu,
was then much worn and battered.
A few moments afterwards the satanic.
looking negress opened the parlor door,
and poked her hideous face into the
room.
"Miss Carline quest the gentleman to
walk up stairs p said she
began to think the proceedings rath-
er strange, but still my reckless spirit in
duced me to follow the negress.
Up two flight of stairs and TO the door
Of back apartment she led me. She
knocked and the door opened.
walk IN sir, if you please !" she said
very deferentially.
stepped into an apartment that had
no windows in it, and was confronted by
a huge, burly negro man. At the
same moment heard the door closed
and locked, and then, for the first time,
| began to think seriously of danger
8" Fork ober, sir - exclaimed the ne
gro abruptly and threateningly.
carried quite a valuable watch, and
had considerable amount of money
about me, for that night had been paid
off at the office, and really clever sum
was standing TO my account. knew
had been drawn into den of thieves,
but / internally resolved not to lose my
property without making an effort to save
it. let the consequences be what they
might.
DO you mean to rob me ?" demand
ed resolutely.
"Spect do" was the unmistakable
reply.
- warn YOU" said l. my blood boil
ing up, " that shall not patiently sub
init to any such outrage"
Z" Don't 'spect you will sar," respond
ed the negro as he displayed murder
Gus looking knife "but we nebber dc
anything by halves. We nebber lets any
one dat comes here go away agin-caust
dey might tell tales
Would you murder me, you blacl
thief" | cried passionately.
"Spect would" rejoined the cut
throat with broad grin. " Use used to
dat sort oh bis'nes and don't mind it 8
Bit"
was now fully alive to the fact that
was in very dangerous situation. and
to tell the real truth, felt dreadful nerv
Gus over it. What TO do knew not
That the girl l had encountered was
probably quadroon, and certainly de-
coy-and that l had been led to the
house to be plundered. and perhaps mur.
dered. had every reason to believe.
Come. sar, fork ober, an den jump
down dar'
The rascal mnst have touched secret
spring somewhere. for as he spoke a trap
door flew open in the center Of the
floor.
looked at the trap, and then at the ne
gro, in doubt as 10 whether had heard
Alright.
If yer jump down, sar. yer'll sabe
me de trouble OBJ frowin' yer down !" he
added iendishly.
"You bloody rascal y l cried. "dc
you think that I'll deprive myself of life
just TO CRAFTY you?"
Yer won't do muffin, hey !" cried
the negro. springing at me like wild
beast. den take dat -
The villain made slashing cut at me
but with single bound | sprung clear
to the other side Of the trap and escaped
the deadly blow.
Boiling over with disbolical rage, the
accursed cut throat again sprung at me
bounding across the pit with the spring
Of madness. AS his feet touched the
edge upon which i was standing. vol
unfairly put out my hands towards him
aud showed him back. | hardly intend
ed TO throw him down the pit. but dowr
he went, in p.inute disappearing out o
sight.
did not stop 20 learn the villains fatt
for l Judged that should have NOR
such work on my hands before | got ou
of the house, if indeed | ever succeede,
in making my escape from the den Of in
fanny.
Instantly after the fall of the negro.
ran around the pit and sprang toward
the door. Just as | reached the door
however, and was about taking hold Q
the knob, some one turned it on the othe
side. | sprang up against the wall, an'