Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-06-22

A few minutes afterwards the satanic
looking negress opened the parlor door, and
poked her hidcous face into the room.
Miss Car'line quests the gentleman to
walk up stairs p said she.
began to think the proceedings rather
strange, but still my reckless spirit induced
me to follow the negrcss. Up two fight OF
stairs and to the door of back apartment
she led me. She knocked and the door
opened
Walk, in sar, if you please I" she said
very deferentially.
l 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 for first
time began to think seriously Of danger.
Fork ober, sarr' exclaimed the negro,
abruptly, and threatcnlngly.
| carried quite valuable watch, and
and had a considerable amount of money
about me, for that night had been paid off
at the office, and real clever sum was stand
ing to my account. knew had been drawn
into den of thieves, but internally rcsolv-
cd 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?" I demanded
resoluteiy.
"Spect do ~ was the unmistakable re-
i ply.
~ warn you," said +, my blood boiling
up, that | shall not patiently submit to
any such outrage
Don't 'spect you will, sarr' responded
the negro, as he displayed murderous- look
ing knife; "but we neber do anything by
halves. We neber let's any one that comes
here go away agin--'cause dcy might tell
| tales"
Would you murder me, you black thicf?'
l cried passionately.
"'Spect would" rejoined the cut-throat,
with broad grin Use used to that sort
bis'noss, and don't mind it bit.
was now fully alive to the fact that was
in very dangerous situation, and to tell the
real truth, felt dreadful nervous over it.
What to do knew not. The girl had en-
countered was probably quadroon, and GER
tainly decoy, that 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 must have touched q spring
somewhere, for, as he spoke, trap-door
flew open in the centre of the floor.
looked at the trap and then at the negro,
in doubt as to whether had heard Alright.
" LII yer jump down, sar, yer'll save me dc
trouble of frowin' yer DOWN. he added
fendishly.
=" You bloody rascalr' cried, madly, " do
you think I'll deprive myself of life just to
gratifiy your
:" You won't do muffin, hey!' cried the
negro, springing at me like wild beast ;
:" den take dat I"
The villain made slashin cut at me- but
with single bound I sprang clear to the
other side of tho trap and escaped the dead
ly blow. Boiling over with diabolical rage
the accursed cut-throat again sprang at me,
bounding across the pit with the spring of
madness. AS his feet touched the edge up
on which was standing, involuntarily put
my hands towards him, and showed him back.
hardly intended to throw him down the pit,
but down he went, in moment disappear
ing out of sight.
did not stop to learn the villains fate.
for judged that should have more such
work on my hands before got out Of the
house, if indeed ever succeeded in making
my escape from the den of infainy. Instant
ly after the fall of the negro, ran around
the pit, and sprang towards the door. Just
as l reached the door, however, and was
about taking hold of the knob, some one
turned it on the other side. l sprang up
against the wall, and in way that would
keep me out Of sight Of any one that might
enter. The next moment the door opened
and head was thrust into the room. With
out waiting to see who it was, and taking it
for granted that all in the house were array
ed against me, doubled my fist, and with
all my strength instantly dealt blow at the
head that brought the person at full length
on the floor. The same moment showed me
that it was the negress
The bag was entirely insensiblc, and /
forthwith dragged her into the room and shut
the door. AT length my attentive ear caught
the sound of light footsteps outside, and
moment aftcrward the door was again OPEN
ed. This time it was my beautiful deceiycr
who appeared. The first thing her eyes
seemed to encounter was the PROSTATE form
of the ncgress, and with an exclamation of
astonishment she dartcd into the room.
Quick as lightning l placed my back
against the door. The movement at once
attracted the girls attention to me.
Now, my ladyw hissed out--for was
immensely excited" you and must have
an understanding. You led me into this in
fernal den by your tricks, and you have got
to show me the way out Of it, or, by all my
hopes, yonder black pit shall be your grave.
Anyway, may lose my life; and / am as
desperate as man can be- You see that old
hag cannot help you just now - l added,
pointing to the still inscnsible negress; "and
the villain who was here, and would have
taken my life, lies at the bottom of that pitt
The girl looked bcwildered and exclaimed
- could not help it, sir. Indeed am
forced to do sop
That matters not to me-" added, in
credulously: can you conduct me out of
this house?''
Yes, sir, can, was the eager reply.
Will you do so?' demanded infexibly.
:" will sir" she responded earnestly.
Then lead on" added, pointing to the
door. But mark you-if / see sign of
treachery, or notice the least offer to create
an alarm, I'll tear you limb from linnbt'
was strong, and wild, and meant what | |
said, and the girl saw it.
There is no one else in the house, sir, I |
assure you, she responded.
Lead the way" said, hardly crediting
her words.
The girl passed from the room, when | |
locked the door, put the key in my pocket,
and followed close behind hor NJ, Eo.bte