Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-01-05


rently as reckless as yself to consequences. Ia
king from my vest pocket ten dollar gold piece,
which was all had In the world, threw IL on
a card ut random--one ON which the Others were
not betting--as my last stake. 1t doubled and
doubled, again and again, many times, tall at
length even the half drunken miners, who
were playing for such heavy stakes, took an In
terest in my strange luck; and the marble faced
dealer, whose attention hitherto had been en-
tirely devoted to them, turned his eyes with a
sinister look upon me. When my card won for
the ninth time took up from the table In coin
and dust, 81, 100, with stolid coolness have
since many times wondered at, and putting 1t
In couple of bags given to me by one OF the
miners, thrust them into my pockets. AS
stepped aside to leave the table, the dealer
turning round to some one in the crowd, and
giving him peculiar look Of intelligence, said
with laugh:
"That's a hsapy pile TO carTy!"
al soon found out the truth OF mis- remark
Not wishing to elbow my way through the
crowd directly to the door, passed round be-
hind the tables in the back part of the house
Leading from the room were number OF badly
lighted passages-one or two were quite dark
As went by one of the latter, before turned
round toward the street door, man standing IL
the obscure light, nearly concealed behind the
door post beckoned me toward him, with mys'
terious gesture. Without thinking, stepped
through the door few feet to learn what be
wished, and when within few yards Of him, az
took another step, quicker than can tell IT.
the floor passed from under my feet, and was
sinking rapidly under the waters of the bay
With the instinct of self preservation, strug-
gled for the life had held 80 cheap. Atlengthl
after what seemed to me q long time, almost
suffocated and weighed down by the fatal gold
rose to the surface. A light from dark lam
tern flashed down from the mouth OF what ap-
pesred to be square well, built on the water
of the bay, and constructed of smooth panne
boards. In these few moments of time, by
that ghastly light, mid all the despair and hor,
rors Of that scene, whole life of thoughts and
memories was before me. Notwithstanding al
my past misery, could not, without struggle
die dogs death. could see above me, IL
that interval Of time. the pale.looking faces Of
two rufians gazing down. One grasped in hil
hand long pole, armed with sharp point, ant
directly opposite me, in the we'll, within few
feet Of my face, was bloated, livid face OF Q
swollen corpse, that had, unknown to me, serve
to obstruct my rising to the surface In tb'
hlckering light and disturbed waters, it appear
ed to mock and jeer, moving nearer and nearer
Just then one OF the men said to the other:
"Split bis head and job him under or be vii
sing out"
And down came the sharp spear, touching m
arm, slightly injuring me. He then drew it u
to throw it again with more deadly purpose
The despair of death was upon me, and froI
my lips the name of her far away arose in
choking cry Of anguish.
. At that Instant Of time, the report Of pistol
' shrieks of pain, mingled with the varied soun'
. of deadly conflict, came to my ear; the desp'
= RADIO above me in haste cast the spear, and th'
I, with his companion, rushed to the scene OF otl
er murders, doubtless feeling secure of u
victim left in the well. The lantern hung on
}, nail, about six feet above me, and q piece
. rope had been csrelessly dropped from what a
\ peared to be vertical trap, opening outward
!. the tide-wster. ..
. Bodies we're found in the bay 80 frequently
y those days that they excited little curiosity
y comment. Att glance could see all ha
Il described, and although wounded In my left 81
: by the spear, still, with the desperate energy
. despair, pushed the swollen body under l
J, feet, and sprang to grasp the rope. Twice
u failed, and big drops of perspiration fell frC
% nv forehead, as thought the murderers wor
return instantly. The third attempt was mo
q successful, for seized the rope-whch, luckil
8 had a knot at the end-with degree
. strength could not have used under any 9th
4 circumstances, and raising myself toward q
J floor above, which found on one side OF Il
we'll, there was O space between the boards al
floor of about eight inches high, perhaps twen
J vide. How forced myself through this narrc
y space, encountered as was. do not know, I
u all the events have described passed in #
: moments, although 1t seemed an age to me.
J dropped myself down on the outside into
y rippling waters, and passing as quickly as pos
'. BILE from pile to pile, under the street and ma
. houses, scarcely stopped to breathe ubtil
;. found myself far from the spot. Once thoug
, heard smothered voices and the sound OF MI
: fed oars, but II so, they could not find me, al
9 made my way cautiously to land long d
} tonce off, for well knew they would use eve
means to trap victim who had discovered the
= crimes. Exhausted and very weak from loss
~ blood from my wounded arm, l crept TO Z
J parret. Late the next morning, when ! vol
/ could not believe the above events, except
troubled dreams, until reaching out my hand
~ felt the weight of the money in the pockets
!, my wet coat.
Al NV narrative was here INTERRUPTED by he
le tating voice from the little head that "
: nestled 90 closely to my breast. Looking do
70 in the child's face, two big tears we're lingeri
Dr. on her eyelids, for she had listened to the 10
u story with the childish wonder she might he
Is listened to story from the Arabian Nights
= + "But, father, what became of the wicl
ln men, and what did you do with all that none.
re "f will tell you DEAR" replied. "Af
y binding up my wounded arm as we'll as pos
Oh Bile, l went out and took the first good meS
W had taken for many weeks. then purchase
suit of clothes, and going to barber, materiS
as ~ changed my personal appearance, and in co
u Ii pany with an honest policeman-not CONN
cn In those days--I visited the scene of my nigl
a9 Z adventure. As we carelessly sauntured thro,
i the room, not single face met mine tina
could in the least degree recognize. They
tt te evidently-those implicated as actors In cri
w w fled away until possible Investigation. she
= cease, The very dark passage from the b
ed bart of the house which / had such fearful rea
ne to remember was 60 cunningly built up and al
40. ed that 1t was difficult to suppose any such pl
nS aS ever existed.
leo In the afternoon of the same day un
ay pectedly met an old acquaintance from
!" States, who persuaded me to 60 with him to
's mines, and it was some length of time befo
'nu returned. As for the money, 1t was inve
in q large building on Jackson street, vi
pe was afterwards burned up; but neverthel
Gu, from that time fortune dealt more kindly
oie me, az some atonement for her past frowns
ON Once again the same inquisitive voice {
NJ. the little lips interrupted me, TO ask
No. "But you are rich now, father, amt you
OUT As looked at her, and then at the other
l@ess @ one, whose head rested on my shoulder, ! c
nea only think and reply, 81 am indeed rich in
s cs- which gold can never purchase"
life
dat NEOURNING GOODS-Black English o.
oota lyl Grape Collars, Cuffs and Sleeves; Long and
eoto Crane Walls: Rnnnh Qnne Wells. Lace Wells