The Lincoln County herald., 1870-02-10
A NIGHT AMONG ROBBERS.
By JUDGE CLARK.


1t was the last night of my bachelor
life, and as Archy Burton insisted, l was
bound to "die game" l had consented to
spend it with him, "instead,' to use
Archy's expression, "of mopiug at home
by way Of foretaste of my future state I"
was to meet my friend at halfopast
nine ut his lodgings, whence we were to
visit the theatre in time to see the last Of
MARY Warner"
1t was already quarter Of nine, and in
order to keep my appointment | was bur
rying, BY way Of "short cut" along a
dlmly lighted, unirequentcd street, into
which number of dark alleys opened
Into one Of these felt myself suddenly
dra .ged by number Of violent hands,
which had seized me from behind in pass.
ing aud before had time to make any
outcry, or offer the slightest resistance,
was severely bound, gagged and blind
folded, and completely ut the mercy Of my
unknown assaiants.
1.-THE least noise or disturbance will be
at the cost of your life," was the admoni-
sion received, whispered into one ear
and emphasized by the click Of pistol at
the other and then l was hurried swiftly
forward and thrust into a carriage be.
tween two captor:, Will, Others followed.
Immediately we set forward. How
far we went, how many turns we took, or
where we stopped, of curse could not
tell. vas only sensible Of time and
motion. Whittier either tended, knew
not.
at last we ceased to move. was
assisted out and led, guarded as before
several PAGES over what judged to be a
rough pavement, when door opened and
closed, and then | was made to ascend a
narrow stairway, after which l was forced
into q seat and released from the hands ol
my conductors.
The gag was removed, after repetition
Of the previous aimontion, but was still
left bound and bindfoided.
"You are doubtless anxious to learn
the cause of proceeding which, it is but
natural to suppose. has occasioned you
!, some surprise continued the voice in
which the admonition had been given.
| felt, if an explanation was forth
coming, it would be mrde without my
asking, and SO said nothing.
"You have fraction over ten thousand
do lars to your credit in the - National
Bank the voice resumed.
thought that was none Of the voice &
business. but didn't say Us much.
"If you will fill up check to bearer,
the voice went on, "for ten thousand dol
lars-wc won't sickle for the odd frac
ton the messenger sent to present
it returns in safety with the money. YOU
shall. tomorrow night, be conducted in
the same manner you were brought herr
to the place ut which VIC found you, ant
there left unmolested."
still remained silent.
".f you refuse, you die" the voic'
added, and the tone, it was evident, wa
not ono Of idle menace.
"And you have half an hour to decide,
it said after which there was profoant
quiet.
was not prepared to choose imme-
diately. The sum / had in bank CON-
posed my all. l had toiled for it with al
object 10 view to which life itself wa
secondary.
had long loved Helen Marcy. ant
though she would willingly have sharet
my poverty in the days when had moth
ing else to offer, could not but acqui
esce in the wisdom of her fathers refusa
to sanction our union 30 improvident
But now that had won . moderate com
petence, or at least beginning that in
surcd one, he had given the long wishe'
for consent, and the morrow was the da,
6xsd to crown my happiness.
The loss Of what had 80 hardly earne'
I could have borne without serious regret
for was young and sanguine, but tn
long delay it involved, ii not the 6na
postponemeut Of ny hopes, fairly mad
my heart sink But then came the re
aec,ion. "if die here, my fate will prob
ably never be known. My disappear
, auce, too, will be liable to misconstruc
ton. It may be suspected that re
8 pented of my engagement at the last mo
ment, and Tilted Helen Marcy on tn
day appointed foo her wedding. Tha
thought determined me
III have decided" I said ~ will com
ply with your demand"
After brief interval my arms wer
: unbound, and the bandage removed froI
!. y my eyei. 1t WAS some moments before