The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-12-19

! Law u Law had arranged for me to &c
down with the money, ana 1 looked upon
it as q business of ne special importance
We know you are all right" remarked
the senior partner, as was about to go
but want to give you a word of warn
ing, nevertheless. Don't take any stran.
ger into your confidence until you have
passed out the money, and look out whc
sits next to you"
1t was something new for him to eau.
ton me, and could not but wonder al
1T; but in the hustle of getting aboard
the train, forgot what he had said
Ordinary prudence had induced me to
place the money, which was all in bank
bills, and divided into three packages
under my shirt and next my skin, where
the deft hand of pick-pocket could not
reach it.
Interested in newspaper, time few
by, as the train flew West, and at length
the hoarse voice of the brakeman warn
ed me that 1 had reached Grafton.
had leaped down and was making for the
livery stable, when I heard a familiar
voice, and looked up to see Raleigh He
was seated in buggy and had seeming
ly waited for me to come up.
Don't express your Surprise" he be-
gan, as 1 stopped at the wheel. al did
intend to go away, but I changed my
mind, and like this section SO well that l
am going out to-day to look at a farm,
with view of purchasing. Come, ride
up to the hotel"
We rode up, ordered lunch, and while
we were discussing it, Mr.. Raleigh dis
covered that the farm he was going to
see was just beyond that of Old Grips.
| How fortunate 1 could ride out
with him, see the farm, and return in
his company" and he would be greatly
pleased.
I was also pleased. If any one had
told me as we got into the buggy, that
George Raleigh meant to return with
my money in his pocket and my blood
upon his hands, l should have believed
HIM q lunatic. And yet George Raleigh
had planned to do that very thing.
1t was lovely day in June, and the
cool breeze and the sight of meadows
and green groves, made my heart grow
larger. Ny COMPANION was very talka-
tive, but he didn't even hint at my er-
rand. He talked as far away as he
could.
"Oh excuse me - he exclaimed, af-
ter we had passed mile beyond the
village, and were among the farm hous-
es. 81 should have offered you this be-
FORE
He drew from his pocket small afisk
of wine and handed it to me. Now,
was temperate in regard to drinks. In
fact detested the sight and smell Of
anything intoxicating. But l had not
the moral courage to tell him SO, and to
hand back the flask undisturbed. fear
ed to offend him, and so drank, perhaps
three good swallows. He called my at
tention to the woods on the left, as he
received back the flask, and when
looked around again he was just remov-
ing it from his mouth. as if he had drunk
heartily.
In about five minutes began to feel
queer. The fences along the road seem
ed to grow higher and the trees to grow
larger; something got into my ears 80
that the rattle of the buggy sounded
long way off.
How strange why, I believe 1 am
going to be sick /" I exclaimed, holding
on to the seat with all my might.
You do look strange" he replied, a
snaky smile stealing over his face Il
shouldn't wonder if it was apoplexy."
did not suspect the game he had
played. His words were like an echo,
and his face seemed twice as large as it
was. My head began to spin, and my
brain to snap and crack, and was great
ly frightened.
"You are bad off," he continued, look
ing into my face. 81 will drive as fast
as possible and get doctor"
My tongue was so heavy that could
not reply. l clutched the seat, shut my
eyes, and he put the horse at his best
pace. We met farmers team, and can
remember that one of the occupants of
the wagon called out to know what allied
me. Raleigh did not reply, but urged
the horse forward.
About three miles from Grafton was a
long stretch of forest, and this we soon
reached. The pain in my head was not
so violent, and was not so badly affect
ed when opening my eyes. l had settled
into a sort of dumb stupor, with brain
so benumbed that had to say to myself
"This is tree, that is a stump" etc.
before could make sure that was not
wrong. Half mile down the road at
ter we struck the forest, and then Raleigh
turned the horse into blind road lead
ing back into the woods. could not
understand what he intended. 1 tried
to grapple with the question, but could
not solve it.
"Well, here we are!" exclaimed Raj
eigh, when we had reached point forty
rods from the main road.
He stopped the horse, got out and
hitched him, and then came around to
the wheel e.. ,t-s
"You don't feel just right, but I guess
you will be better soon," he remarked.
" Come, let me help you down."
He reached up his arms, and let go
the seat and fell into them. 1t seemed
to me as if / weighed ton, but he car
ried me along without an effort, and laid
me down within about rod of fence
which ran along on one side of an old
pasture. just now began to get lit
tie better. The effects of the drug were
wearing off, and got faint suspicion
that something unusual had happened.
But ! was powerless to move a limb
the sensation was like that when your
foot goes to sleep.
Seen yeu speak Z" inquired Raleigh,
bending over me "because If you can