The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-05-12
VOL. 8, NO. Al.

began to prepare for bed, and had already
taken off my coat and waistcoat, when tan
cied heard a step on the stairs. / immediate
yextinguished the light, and waited with breath
less anxiety the door gently opened, and the
uncle cautiously thrust forward his head Ii
the gloom of the chamber he could not perceive
me; and finding the light extinsuished,
suppose he thought / was in bed, for be clos
ed the door very softly and descended the stairs
again.
[ was now worked up to the highest pitch Of
excitement, | feit certain that something was
going to happen. I remembered my lonely stu
ation--the inquisitiye questions Of the men be-
low. There was no possible means for me to
escape, except going through the room in which
they were seated-and such a course | knew
would be perfect madness, | summoned up all
my philosophy, and determined to wait the de-
a9uemeBt, and tried to persuade myself my
fears were groundless. But when | thought OF
the significant looks that passed between the
men when they saw my gold, l must confess
the effort was failure. And then the thought
suddenly struck me, if, after all, the clerk had
recognized rae, it was certain that he would
never let me leave that place alive. Five long
minutes passed away, and | heard nothing. A.
that moment light flashed before my window.
went directly to it, aud saw the uncle with a
lantern digging in the garden | watched him
with eager eyes, he was digging a hole about
six feet long and three broad
"Good God!" / exclaimed to myself, she IS
digging my grare."
now felt certain that the young man had
been left in the room below to prevent my es-
cape. But I determined to satisfy myself if
such were the fact or not I opened the door
noiselesslv, and stole cautiously down stairs in
my stocking feet / glanced through the key
hole of the door which opened into the room,
and saw that my suspicious were well founded,
for the absconding clerk sat beside a table with
a revolver all ready cooked within his reach. l
returned to the bedroom again.
I again took my position at the window
Five minutes more of agonizing suspense ensued.
| had nothing with which to defend myself, and
was completely at their mercy. A sudden calm
ness now took possession Of me. | suppose it
was the CT! a!!une8s of despair, but with all my
facuIfies were perfectly clear, and turned over
a hundred plans to escape the doom that await
ed me. All this time was eagerly watching
the actions Of the uncle.
The soil was very light, and he soon succeed
ed in opening the hole to at least four feet. He
then threw down his spade and entered the house
again. / expected every moment to hear them
ascending the stairs, and made up my mind to
sell my life as dear as possible, when purrlng
sound attracted my attention
I now perceived for the first time that the
light from the room below penetrated through
several chinks in the floor / lay down on the
ground and looking through one Of the cracks,
found that could perceive everything in the
apartment. One of the men was sharpening
large knife on a grindstone, and it was this that
made the purring sound that had heard. He
felt the edge, and finding it sharp enough, dis
continued his employment. They then be-
can to converse, could hear every word they
said.
care you certain, Charles, that this is the
detective 2 said the uncle.
Perfectly certain!" returned the clerk. Il
know Brampton as well as do you"
ssIt is certain he must die then. | suppose
he has plenty Of money with him beside his gold
watch"
Eyes, he must be well provided with funds
and his business here IS evidently to arrest
me,
Come, then, let US finish the business at
once" said the uncle.
,Do you think he is asleep yet" returned
the clerk.
s.No Matter if he is not, he'll sleep we'll e.
nough afterwards anyhow"
The clerk laughed-hideously | thought.
"Win you do it, or shall II" said the neph-
ew.
80, you may 90, but be sure you make no
mistake. Bill. you know, lies next TO the WALL
he has nightcap on, the detective has none.
Leave the light outside the door, for fear Of
waking Brampton and above all, be quick a.
bout it,
In a moment my plan was formed Bill was
fast asleep I gently turned him over to the
outside of the bed, and pulling off his nightcap
put It on my own head. accomplished this
without waking BILL [ then cautiously laid
myself in his place near the wall. The agony
of the next few minutes was intense-my heart
seemed ready to cease beating. heard step
on the stairs; it itadvanced, the doof opened soft
", the floor creaked with the weight Of heavy
tread The murderer approached the bed
/ could feel his hot breath on my cheek. l had
presence of mind enough to initiate a snore l
felt his hand passing over my head-it rested
on my shoulder. 0, agony of agonies, he had
found out my 1use, and was about to kill me !!
My whole body was bathed in cold perspi-
ration.
Suddenly heard a heavy thud on the bed,
which was followed by groan, and then all
was still. The blow had been struck, and ]
was not the victim. A pause of some moments
ensued, and then | heard the uncle ascending
the stairs. They wrapped the body Of the an
fortunate Bill in q sheet, and conveyed it at
once into the garden. They had 10 sooner left
the house than leaped out of bed, ana ran TO
the window. They had evidently not discover
ed their mistake for the body was already in
the grave prepared for it, and they were filing
it up.
lost not a moment to put on the rest of my
clothes, and creeping quietly down stairs, es-