The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-12-08

from the nanQS OF my conQuctorS.
The gag was removed. after a re
petition of the previous admonitior
but 1 was still left bound and blind
folded.
"You are doubtless anxious to lear
the cause of proceeding which, it
but natural to suppose, has occasione
you some SURPRISE" continued tn
voice in which the admonition ha'
been given
Ifelt, if an explanation was forth
coming, itlwould be made without m!
asking, and so said, nothing.
"You have a fraction over ten thou
sand dollars to your credit in the
National Bank" the voice resumed
thought that was none of thu
voices business, but didn't say a
much.
"If you will fill up check to bear
err" the voice went on, ''for ten thou
sand dollars-we won't sickle for th'
odd fraction-and the messenger sen
to present it returns in safety with the
money, you shall, tomorrow night
be conducted in the same manner yor
were brought here, to the place Al
which we found you, and there left
unmolested."".j ..f-.- ..,s. =
I still remained silent
eff you refuse, you die" the voiot
added, and the tone, it was evident,
was not one Of idle menace.
"And you have half an hour to de
eide" it said; after which there was
profound quiet. - s-i f.''. i.fi'f 81
was not prepared to choose i'm
mediately. The. sum | had in bank
composed my all. l had toiled for it
with an object in view to-which life
itself was secondary. 'H'77 aa
: had long loved Helen Marcy,
and though she would willingly have
shared my poverty in the days when
l had nothing else to offer, l could
not but acquiesce in the wisdom of her
fathers retuaI to sanction union 80
improvldent, But now that l had
won a moderate competence. or at
least a beginning that insured one, he
had given the long-wished for con-
sent, and the morrow was the day fix
ed to crown my happiness. a...
The loss of what I had so hardly
earned could have borne. without
serious regret, tor I was young and
sanguine, but the long delay it inyolv-
ed, if not the final postponement of my
hopes, fairly made my heart sink
But then came the reflection, ''It [
die here, my fateEwill probably never
be known Ny. disappearance, too,
will be liable to misconstruction. 1t
may be suspected that l repented OF
my engagement at the last moment,
aud Tilted Helen Marcy ON the day
for her wedding" That
thought determined me-. ,..
81 have decided" I said; 81 will
comply with your demand"
After brief interval my arms were
unbound, and the bandage removed
from my eyes. 1t was some moments
before L could distinguish objects. /
then found myself in mean apart
ment, whose only furniture consisted
of deal table and a few rickety chairs,
on one of which I was seated, in the
midst of five men closely masked. A
dln lamp fickered. on the table, on
which were also pen, ink, and blank
check properly stamped.
Without waiting to be asked, I
drew forward my chair, and took up
the pen. Although flashed upon me.
Suppose I disguise nv hand, will not
the check be deemed forgery, and
the man who presents it arrested, and
thus clue be afforded which may lead
to my release ?" SIS. . y
ButI found I was reckoning with
out my host. s...;...
"Be sure"-it was always the same
voice that spoke, and it had strange
way of impressirg one that it meant
what it said-''be sure to write in
7our natural hand; for if aught befalls
he messenger, or prevents his safe re-
urn within an hour after his depar-
,ife, your life shall pay the forefeit.
I filled up the check in my usual
land,I afixing my ordinary signature,
lot forgetting to cancel the stamp.
My eyes were again bandaged, and
ny arms pinioned as before.
At length l heard some one go out.
Doubtless it was the messenger.
The echo of the messengers depart
ng footsteps seemed hardly to have
lied away when the stiffness was
,roken by that voice In which il seem
for any good thug to be
uttered.
The time is almost up" it said,
1 knew not whom; "get
our knife ready, for we dare not risk
pistol shot here. ~
A short pause ensued, when some
ne approached and laid hand upon
1y arm. 1 could not see, but felt
hat the weapon was raised with which
he fatal blow was to be dealt. The
cry uncertainty. as to when and where
was to tall rendered it impossible to
erve myself against it.
But bark ! somebody is hurrying
p the steps. The door is flung
pen ...,....,-.e -..:,,- III.
-:.Ali right ?n it exclains-not the
anne one this time-"I have the mons
y p -.
The hand is withdrawn from my
rm. Thank, God I am savedi The
has returned unharmedl
But bark, again! 5iu
There is rapid shutting of other
,otsteps on the stairway. My heart
,aps at the sound. Can it be friends h
t last? .-.q.. e.r..s. @
Fire on the first MAJ, that raises a Ji,sg-
!" shouted full manly voice, as its
uunar in com many with I could not