The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-01-10


candle.
Having succeeded, turned toexatniue
my visitor. He was small and neatly
dIesscd gentleman, with heavy Raglan
around his shoulders, and Il blue navy
cap drawn suspiciously over his eyes
A advanced toward him, he seemed to
hesitate moment, then raised the cap
from his forehead, and looked me Gu.
riously in the face
did not drop the candle, but confess
to little nervousness as | hurredly
placed the light on the table. and silently
proceeded to invest myself with two or
three necessary articles of clothing As
live, my visitor was a lady, and the
same for whom had opened the little
box a month before ! Having completed
my hasty toilet, attempted to stammer
an apology for my rudeness, but utterly
failed The fact was, | was cOnlounded.
Smiling at my discontinue, she said
Disguise is useless. presume you
recognize me 2"
q" believe told you, madam. should
not soon forget your face. In what way
can serve you?"
"By doing half an hours work before
daylight, and receiving five hundred dol
lars for your labor" was the reply.
at is not ordinary work." said I in
quiringly, that commands so munifcent
a compensation.
1t is labor common to your calling"
replied the lady "The price is not 50
much for the labor, as the condition nm
der which it is to be performed"
And what is the condition 7" ! in
quired
"That you will submit to being con-
veyed from, and returned to, your own
door blindiolded."
Ideas of murder, burglary, and almost
every other crime Of villainly, hurricdly
presented themselves to my visions, aud
| bowed and Sid:
| must understand something more of
the character Of the employment, as well
as the conditions, to accept your offer"
"Will not five hundred dollars answer
in lieu Of an explanation 7"
"No--nor five thousand"
She patted her foot nervously on the
floor. She had placed too low an esti-
mate on my honesty, and felt some
qualification on being able to convince
her Of the fact
"Well then, if it is absolutely neces-
sary for me to explain" she replied, 81
must tell you that you are required to
pick the lock of vault, and"
You have gone quite far enough,
madam with the explanation" l inter
rupted )" AIN not at your service"
She continued" you are required to
pick the lock of Il vault, and rescue from
death ii man who has been confined for
three days there"
"To whom does the vault belongW !
inquired.
"My husband" was the somewhat re-
luctant reply.
"Then why so much secrecy or rather,
place"
Il secreted him there to escape the
observation Of my husband He sus.
peced as much and closed the door upon
him. Presuming he had left he vault,
aud quilted the house by the back door,
| did not dream uutil to-day that he was
confined there. Certain suspicious acts
Of my husband this afternoon convince
me that the man is there, beyond hear
ing, and will be starved to death by my
bal barous husband, unless Immediately
rescued. For three days he has not left
the house | drugged him less than an
hour ago, and he is now 50 stupefed that
the lock may be picked without his in
terrerence. | have searched his pockets,
but could not find the key; hence my
application to you. Now you know all
Will you accompany me"
"Io the end of the world, on such an
errand %
Then prepare yourself; there is a cab
in waiting"
! was not little surprised for | had
not heard the sound Of wheels. Hastily
drawing on a coat, and providing myself
with the required implements, was at
the door. There, sure enough, was the
cab, with the driver in his seat, ready for
the mysterious journey.
| entered the vehicle, followed by the
lady AS soon as was seated, she pro,
duced handkerchief, which by the
faint light Of an adjacent street lamp, she
carefully bound around my eyes. The
lady seated herself beside me, and the
cab started. In half an hour it stopped |
in-what part of the city | am entirely
ignorant, as it was evidently driven any
thing but the direct course from the
point Of starting.
Eynnininc, thn hnndnnn 10 goo Tint |