Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-04-17


for it was rs dark as Egypt when under the
curse of Israel's God.
"Histm exclaimed q figure, stepping in
front of the window; "open the door, have
business with you
/" Rather past business hours, should say
but who are you?'
@No one that would harm you,'' returned
the voice, which imagined was rather femi-
nine for burglars.
Nor no one that can p replied, rather
cmphatically, by way of a warning, as tight
ened my grip upon the hammer, and proceed.
ed to the door. pushed back the bolt, and
slowly opening the door, discovered the stran,
ger already upon the steps.
"What do you want?" abruptly inquired.
81 will tell you," answered the same soft
voice, "if you dare open the door wide enough
for me to enter.
"Come in,s said I, resolutely, throwing the
door ajar, and proceeding to light candle.
Having succeeded, turned to examine the
visitor. He was small and neatly dressed
gentleman, with heavy Rag Ian around his
shoulders, and blue navy cap drawn susp,
ciouslv over this eyes. As advanced toward
him he seemed to hesitate a moment, then
raised the cap from his forehead, and looked
me curiousy in the face. did not drop the
candle, but acknowledge to little nervous.
ness as l huric1ly placed the light upon ta-
Jle, and silently proceeded TO invest myself
with two or three very necessary articles Of
clothing As the Lord livcth, my visitor was
lady, and the same for whom had opened
the little box about month before Having.
completed my hasty toi!ottc, l attempted to
s'anger. an n:1.ogy for my rudeness. bat Iu;.
terry Niiled. TlN fact is, Twas contonnVl ed.
Smiling at myliscom6;ure. she said: ~
:sDisguisc is useless; ! presume you re
cognize me-
II balieyc told you, madam, should not
soon forget your face. lu what way can
serve you?"
"By doing half an hours work before day
light Tomorrow, and receiving five hundred
dollars for your labor" was the reply.
81, is not ordinary work, said !, iuqniring-
", 'that commands so munilicent compen,
sa;ion."
.It is a labor Common to your calling, re-
turned tho lady. The price is not so much
for the labor as the condition under which ii
must be performed
q. And what is the condition." inquired.
"That YOU vii. submit to being conveyed
from and returned to your own door blind
folded"
Ideas Of murder, burglary, and almost eve,
ry other crime to viilainy, hurriedly presented
themselves in succession, as politely bowed
and said
q must understand something more Of the
character of the employment as well as the
conditions, TO accept your Offer"
CIVIL not five hundred dollars answer IL
lieu Of an explanation 2" she inquired.
"No-nor five thousand"
She ratted her foot ncrvously on the floor
l could see she had placed entirely too low al
estimate on my honesty, and | felt some graft
tica,ion in being able to convince her OF th'
fact.
sWell, then, if it is absolutely neccssar
for me to explains, she replied, 81 must tel
ycu that you are required to pick the lock
vault, ard
:You have gone quite far enough, madame
with the cxpianation," interrupted; 7" | au
not at your service"
"As sad,3 she continued "you are re
qu;rcd to pick the lock of Il vault and rescu
from death q man who has been conilne
there for three days
"To whom does the vault belon5?' in
, quired
"My husband" was the somewhat relucar
!. reply.
| Then why so much secrecy, or: rathel
!, how came a man confined in such a lace ?
I Il secrcted him there to escape the obsel
t va!ion of my husband. He suspected
much. and closed the door upon him. Pr
4 suminy he had left the vault and quilted I'll
bors. by the back door, did not dream uni
to-day that Lc was corfHcd there. Certal
I. SUSPICIOUS acts Of my husband this attcrnoo
+ ;.u,;y;nce me that the man is there. bcyon
human hearing, and will be starved to deaf
i Ly ny bar!,asoas husband unless Immediate
x rescued. For thee days he has not lett IL
hou;c. ! :: ,lruggcd" him less than an hot
!. ago, and he is now so completely stnpHflt
/ tha, the lock may be picked without his lnte
!. ference. have searched his pockets, b1
can not find the key; hence my appllcat'c
), to vou. Now you know all will you accom-
pany me?"
T "To the end Of the world, madam, on sue
t. an crrand.
o aThcn prepare yourself; there is ca
waiting at the door"
: was a little surprised, for had not heal
! tie sound of wheels. Hastily drawing on
!, coat, and proyiling myself with the re4uisi
!, ;mpcncl,s, was soon at the door. iher
l. sure enough, was the cab, with the driver
,. his seat, ready for the mysterious journey.
.a Tho vehicle. followed by the lady. 4