Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-02-03

| "Histl'' exclaimed figure, stepping in
front OF the window; 'open the door. I have
business for you"
Rather past business hours, should say
but who are you? ?'
No one that would harm you" returned
the voice, which thought was rather femi.
nine for burglars.
''Nor that can ~ I replied rather em.
phatically by way of warning as l frightened
my grasp on the hammer and proceeded to
the door. pushed back the bolt, and slow
ly opened the door, and discovered the stran-
ger already on the steps.
What do you want?' abruptly asked.
II will tell you," answered the same soft
voice, ''it you dare open the door wide e.
nough for me to enter"
Come in, said resolutely, throwing the
door ajar, and proceeded to light candle
Having succeeded, turned to examine my
| visitor. He was small and neatly dressed
gentleman, with heavy raglan around his
shoulders and navy cap drawn suspiciously
over his eyes. As advanced toward him,
he seemed to hesitate moment and then
raised the cap from his forehead, and looked
me curiously in the face. 1 did not drop the
candle, but 1 acknowledged to little ner-
vousness as | hurriedly placed the light upon
the table, and silently proceeded to invest
myself with two or three very necessary ar
ticles of clothing. As the Lord liveth, my
visitor was lady, and the same one for
whom had opened the little box about a
month before Having completed my hasty
toilette, l attempted to stammer an apology
for my rudeness, but utterly failed. The fact
is was confounded.
Smiling atmy discontinue she said: 'tDis-
guise is useless 1 presume you recognize
me ?''
81 believe told you madam, should not
soon forget your face. In what way can 1
serve you?"
''By doing half an hours work before day
light tomorrow, and receive Eve hundred
dollars for your labor" was the reply.
1T is not ordinary work, said l inquir-
ingly, that commands such muniicent COM
pensation.
1t Is labor common 20 your calling" re-
turned the lady. 1.-The price Is not so much
for the labor as the condition under which
it must be performed.
sAnd what is the condition. Inquired.
That you will submit to being conveyed
from, and return to your own door, blind
folded"
Ideas of murder, burglary, and almost
every other crime known to villainy, hur-
riedly presented themselves in succession as
[ bowed politely and said: 81 must under |
stand something more of the character of
the employment, as well as the condition, to |
accept your offer.
"Will not FIVE hundred dollars serve in
lieu of an explanation % she inquired.
''No-nor FIVE thousand"
She patted her feet nervously on the floor.
[ could see she had placed entirely too low
an estimate on my honesty, and l felt some
qualification in being able to convince her of
the fact.
''Well, then, if it is absolutely necessary
for me to explain, she replied, Il must tell
you that you are required to pick the lock Of
, vault and
''You have gone quite far enough, madam,
With the explation, interrupted, Il am
not at your service.
''As | said, she continued, ''you are re-
luired to pick the lock of vault, and res
,ue from death man who has been confined
here for three days"
'"To whom does this vault belong?' 1
inquired.
''To my husband" was the somewhat re-
uctant reply.
'Then why so much secresy ?-or rather
low came a man to be confined in such a
,lace?"
81 secreted him there to escape the obser-
ration of my husband. He suspected as
much and closed the door upon him. Pre-
uming he had left the vault and quilted the
louse by the back door, l did not dream
ntil to-day that he was confined there.
>ertain suspicious acts of my husband. this
fternoon, convinced me that the man is
here, beyond human hearing, and will be
tarved to death by my barbarous husband,
nless Immediately rescued. For three
ays he has not left the house. drugged
i'm less than an hour ago, and he is now so
ompletely stupefed that the lock may be
licked without interference. | have search
d his pockets but cannot find the key
ence my application to you. Now you know
H. will you accompany me?"
''To the end of the world, madam, on
lch an errand"
''Then prepare yourself; there is cab ;
aiting at the door.
I was a little surprised, for heard no :
,und of wheels Hastily drawing on coat !.
nd providing myself with the necessary .
IMPLEMENTS, was soon at the door. There,
Ire enough, was the cab with the driver in =
is seat ready for his journey. l entered !,
lie vehicle. As soon as l was seated, she =
reduced heavy handkerchief, which, by
lie faint light of an adjacent street lamp, .
lie carefully bound over my eyes. The Ia =
? seated herself beside me, and the cab G
arted In half an hour the vehicle stop !,
ed-in what part of the city am entirely
norant, as it was evidently driven in any
I,,,o IL Il \