Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-02-21

S"iPSo o' 'n0 PieCiouS COuteutS OF
the box, and suddenly raising the lid, dis
covered bundle of letters, and Da-
guerreotype, as slowly passed the box to
its owner. She seized it hurriedly, and
placing the letters and picture in her pock-
ct, locked the box, and drawing the veil
over her face, pointed TO the door. 1open-
ed it, and she passed into the steeet, she
merely whispered "Remember~ We met
again, and l have been thus particular in
ascribing her visit to the shop, to render
probable subsequent recognition.
About o'clock in the morning, in the
latter part of May following, was awoke
by gentle tap upon the window of the
little room in the back part of the shop in
which l lodged. Thinking of burglars, 1
sprang out of bed, and in a moment was
at the window, with a heavy hammer in
my hand, which usually kept at that time
within convenient reach of my bedside.
"Who's there?" 1 inquired raising the
hammer and peering into the darkness
for it was as dark as Egypt when under the
curse of Israel's God.
"Hlst!" exclaimed figure stepping in
front of the window ,'open the door have
business for you."
"Rather past business hours, l should say;
but who are you!"
"No one that would harm you," returned
the voice, which l imagined was was rath-
er feminine for burglars.
"Nor no one that camp l replied rather
emphatically, by way of warning, as |
frightened my grip upon the hammer, and
proceeded to the door. pushed back the
bolt and slowly opened the door, discover
ed the stranger already upon the steps.
"What do you want9" abruptly inquir-
ed.
81 will tell you," replied the same soft
voice, "if you dare open the door wide
enough for me to enter"
"Come in," said l, resolutely throwing
the door ajar, and proceeding to light can
die. Having succeeded, turned to exam
inc the visitor. He was small and neat
ly dressed gentlman, with heavy Raglan
around his shoulders, and blue navy cap
drawn suspiciously over the eyes. As l
advanced toward him, he seemed to hesi-
tate moment, and then raised the cap
from bis forehead, and looked me curious
ly in the face. did not drop the candle,
but l acknowledge little nervousness as
l hurriedly placed the light upon the ta
bic, and silently proceeded to invest myself
with two or three very necessary articles of
clothing. As the lord liveth, my visitor
was lady, and the same for whom had
opened little box about month before!
Having completed my hasty toilette, at
tempted to stammer an apology for my
rudeness, but utterly failed. The fact, is l
was confounded.
Smiling at my discontinue, she said:
disguise is useless: l presume you re-
cognize me!"
81 believe 1 told YOU madam, l should
not soon forget your face. In what way can
1 serve you?'
"By doing half an hours work before
day tomorrow morning, and receiving five
hundred dollars for your labor was the re-
ply.
at is not ordinary work." said l inqui-
ringly, "that commands so munificent
compensation"
'.It is labor common to your calling,"
returned the lady. "The price is not so
much for the labor as the condition under
which it must be performed"
"And what is the condition?" Irnquir-
ed.
"That you will submit to being convey
ed from, and to your own door blindfolded.
Ideas of murder, burglary, and almost
every otbef crimes to villainny, hurriedly
presented themselves in succession, as
politely bowed, and said: l must under
stand something more of the character
of the employment, as well as the condi-
tions TO accept your Offer"
"Will not five hundred dollars answer
in lieu of an explanation?" she inquired.
"No-nor five thousand"
She patted her foot nervously on the
floor. could see that she had placed en-
tirely too low an estimate on my honesty,
and | felt some qualification in being able
to convince her of this fact.
"Well then, if it is absolutely necessary
for me to explain" she replied, must tell
you that you are required to pick the lock
of vault, and"
"You have gone quite far enough, mad
anne, with the explanation" l interrupted,
81 am at your service"
GAS l said,' she continued, "you are re-
required TO pick the lock of a vault and
rescue from death man who has been con-
fined there three days.
s'To whom does the vault belong!" /
inquired.
''My husband was the somewhat re-
luclant reply.
"Theu why so much secrecy, or, rather,
how came man confined in such plaeel"
81 secreted him there 10 escape the OBJ
servation of my husband. He suspected
as much, and closed the door upon him.
Presumipg he had left the vault and quit
ted the house by the back door, did not
dream, until to-day, that he was confined
there. Certain suspicious acts of my hus-
band this afternoon convince me that the
man is there, beyond human hearing, and
will be starved TO death by my barbarous
husband unless Immediately rescued. For
three days he has not left the house. l
shrugged" him less than an hour ago, and
he is now so completely stupefied that the
lock may be picked without his interfer-
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