Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-07-16

long, narrow passage, ana then down some
stairs, and through another long. narrow
passage, and then up through, and down
through, till heartily prayed might get
through. and all the time in a darkness
that might have been cut with knife,
so to speak, and in silence that death it.
self might have been satisfied with.
At last we entered an underground
place, that seemed to be large crypt, as
hastily surveyed it by the light of fam
beau that a masked figure held in his
hand. The other masked figures, all in
black gowns, or dominos, were standing
beside him, and glance at my guide
showed him habited and masked IN the
the same manner. The girl was not pres
ent.
Monsieur lie chirurgeon, said a stern
voice, aloud, I" swear by your honor as a
gentleman, you will never reveal aught of
this nights adventure-of what you have
seen or shall see-of what you have heard
or shall hear-of what you now know or
shall know"
Il swear never to make the slightest
revelation while remain in France" I
replied.
= Enough. Secret assassination will be
the penalty if you break your oath. Now
follow u.s."
was conducted up stairs, two or three
flights, into a small and elegantly furnish
ed apartment, in one corner of which
was bed, and on the bed young man,
with face as white as sheet, and groan-
ing at every breath One of my myste-
rious companions turned down the cover
and showed me leg completely shatter-
ed at the knee, evidently by pistol or
musket ball.
well, monSieur?" said an anxious
voice.
"Th9re is no hope for 1.-THE leg must
come off," I-replied, by this time COM
pletely sobared.
" Monsieur will take it off. then"
81 have not my implements with me. :"
"Here is all monsieur can need
A complete and beautiful set was pro-
duced. Without another word took off
my coat, rolled up my sleeves, and pro-
ceeded to the work, the masks assisting
me. The poor sufferer tainted under the
painful operation. When all was finished,
one of the men said to me, in low anx-
ious tone:
"Will he survive" ?"
"With careful attention and nursing,
think he will.
Thanks. Monsieur lie docteur will
write down all necessary Instructions"
Pen, ink and paper, being furnished
me, this | proceeded to do. When all
was completed, a heavy purse was placed
in my hand, and the mask said:
"Monseur lie docteurwill not forget his
OATH"
"Not very likely to, with assassination
in prospective" said 1.
" Enough. Come"
l followed my conductor down into the
crypt again, and then, in total darkness,
was led through a succession of long mar
row passages, alternating with stairs, the
same IS Defore-but not ending where /
negan-for a door was at last thrown open,
and | suddenly found myself in dark,
narrow street. heard a slight click be
hind me, and on looking around was
greatly surprised to find myself standing
alone, beside church, and only II blank
wall where expected to see door at
least The stones were all alike. as far as
could see, and nothing indicated an
opening of any kind And vet had Ell
ther come through that wall, or else / was
dreaming. Was | dreaming? 1 was not
quite sure, though the purse that had
been put into my hand felt very heavy.
q Well, thought /, this will do for one
night, at any rate and now, like the
Dutch burgomaster in the play, / will go
home and think.
| was some distance from the Seine :;
but soon found the river, and in less
than an hour after, my lodgings also,
which ! reached just as day was breaking
| went to - - and went to sleep, and
slept till noon, and then got up and count
ed my money-fftg napoleons in gOc@s !
hard, yellow gold.
- Well" f." said /, if my last nights adj |
venture was a dream, | only hope and |
pray | may keep on dreaming so every
night"
But what was all this mystery? what
could it mean? Pshaw. why trouble my
brain about it, since probably l should
never know
On taking my breakfast-oF dinner, if
'ou choose-at the Cafe de Tortoni, /
ooked over the columns of lie Moniteur
Universal, and soon found myself deeply
in the detail of the astounding
of Madame -, a WELL
Known favorite of the king of the French.
Her appointments had been entered by
,and of masked assassins, and the lady
tabled in her bed. Her dying screams
lad brought assistance, but not sufficient
o secure the rufians, all of whom had es-
aped, though one had been shot and car
led off by his companions. One hundred
francs reward was offered for
he apprehension and conviction of the
uffians. or any of them. /!
"Oho." said to myself, ' 1 think ;
NOW somethingw
But l said it only to myself. Neither
he King of the French, nor any of his
ubieets, was ever made the wiser of my
never heard that any of
he assassins was ever arrested but to this {
ay believe | was made fifty napoleons
he richer for shortening the leg of one {
{ them.