The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-04-05
eMy husband," was the somewhat reluc-

tant reply.
"Theh why SO much secrecy ?"-or rather,
how came man in such place 2"
81 secreted him there, to escape the cbserya-
ton of my husband. He suspected as much
ana closed the door upon him. Prrsuming he
had left thu vault and quilted tie house by the
back door, did DOT dream, until to-day, that
he was confined there. Certain suspicious
acts OF my husband, thls afternoon convinced
me that the nan is there beyond human. hear
ing, and will b. starved 20 death by nv barba-
rous husband unless Immediately rescued. For
three days be has not left the house. drug
ged him less than an hour ago, and he is now
SO completely stup6ed that the lock may be
picked without bis iu:eIfer ence. have search
ed his pockets, and cannot find the key hence
my application 10 you. Now you know all ;
will you accompany US 20
'sTo the end Of the world, madame, on such
an errand.''
"Tben prepare yourself, there is cab wait
ing at the door"
was little surprised, for had not heard
the sound OF the wheels. Hastily drawing on
a coat and providing myself with the requisite
implements, J Was soon at the door. There,
sure enough, was a cab, with the driver in his
seat, ready for the mysterious jouroeY--l en-
tered the vehicle followed by the lady. AS
soon as | was seated she produced a heavy
handkerchief which by the faint light of
street lamp, she carefully bound round my eyes.
The lady seated herself beside me-, and the cab
started. In half an hour the vehicle stopped
in what part OF the city | am entirely Igno-
rant as it was Is IidentIy driven in anything
but direct course from the point OF starting.
Examining the banding, TO Sc that my
vision was completely obscured, the Ialy han
ded me the bundle oftools with which | was
provided, then taking me by the arm. LED me
through gate into house which | knew was
brick and after taking me along passage way
that could not have bren less than fifty feet III
length, and down fight of stairs laio what
vas evidently an Underground basement, stop
ped beside vault removed the handkerchief
from my eyes,
"Here is the vault; open il, )" SAID she, spring
ing the door OF dark lantern, and throwing
beam upon the lock.
I seized a bunch of skeleton keys, and after
a few trials, which The lady seemed 10 watch
with the most intense anxiety, sprung the boil.
The door swung upon IFS hinges, aud my COM
panion, telling me net 10 close it, as 1t was
seIf-lockIng, sprung into tbe vault. did not
follow. ! heard Ihe murmur Of low voices
within, and The next moment the lady reap
peaFed, and leaning upon her arm was a man
SO pale and haggard that 1 started at the sight.
How he must have suffered during the three
long days OF hls confinement in that terrible
vault
"Remain here" she said, handing me the
lantern s'I will be back in a moment"
The two slowly assembled the stairs, aud !
heard them enter Immediately above where |
was standing. In less than minute the lady
returned.
stShal close ii madame 7'' said | placing
my hand upon the door of The vault.
"No no ~ she exclaimed hastily, seIzing
my arm ; cit awaits another occupant -
MADAME, you certainly do not intend
to-"
s'Are you ready q she interrupted, holding
the handkerchief before my eyes. The thought
flashed across my mind that she intended to
push me into the vault and bury me and my
secret together. She seemed 20 read the suS-
picion, and continued "Do not be alarmed
you are not the man ="
could not mistake the truth OF Fthe fearful
meaning Of The remark, and shuddered as
bent my head to the handkerchief. Nv eyes
were as car lefulIy bandag-d as before, and I was
led 10 the cab, and thence driven home by 4
more cIrcuitous route, if possible than the one
BY which we came. A purse of FIVE hundred
dollars was placed in my hand, and in a mo-
nent the cab and its mysterious occupant had
turned corner and were ou. OF sight.
entered the shop, and the purse of gold
was the only evidence could summon, in my
oewilderment, that all bad just done and Wit
messed was not dream.
A month after that saw the lady and the |
gentleman taken from the vault, leisurely walk. !
ng along Montgomery street. l do not know,
out believe the sleeping husband awoke with
n that vault, and his bones are there to-day |
The wife Is still resident of San Francis
20.