The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-10-31

modate you with a room where you
can sleep with safety. Take q glass
of Madeira with me /? tis of the very
best quality"
l weighed his words carefully, and
determined to remain all night. Tbs
true the house was in a very desolate
part of Paris. with irs rear shadowiDg
the Seine, but his politeness and frank
manner convinced me that there was
nothing to fear. We, sat up until all
| the guests departed, and feeling the
effects of the wine, concluded to
retire. AT his urgent request | con-
] senIed to drink another glass of Ma
| deira. and Immediately after became
quite dizzy, and could scarcely stand
erect. A st5aT l
was assisted up, stairs and ushered
into a room comfortably furnished
After locking the door put the bag
of money ON the table and began ex-
amining the apartment. The room
contained an old oaken bedstead,
which stood IN the center of the room.
1t was the most singular piece OF
workmanship that i had ever seen, as
the head and foot of the bed both rose
TO an equal height, both made OF mas
siye wood, at least three inches thick.
Ii they had hinges q thought) at the
ends they would meet perfectly when
let down. On the walls were hung
three pictures, one representing the
execution of Louis XVI, the CORY
head, staring eyes and matted lCc2s
dropping into basket, with the fish,
er women sitting around laughing,
taking stitch in their Knitting when
a head fell in the basket. .s -sasfss} 4
The other was the death of Robes
pierre, the inventor of the instrument
of mans depravity; and the third pic
ture, which huug at the foot of the
bed, where the light fell full upon it
seemed TO me like jumping jack,
with his hand about to lift off his hat
which had a large plume stuck into it. 1
threw myself upon the bed, thinking
of the illustrations upon the wall of
the blood-stained past, which con-
spired to create feeling of dread l
endeayored to keep awake, as i had
now serious suspicious regarding the
keeper of the house. / felt myself be-
ing carried TO the land OF dreams, and |
tried to cast off the spell. l would
open my eyes and gaze languidly
around, but at last fell asleep.
How long slept know not. ] had |
faint recollection of feeling some
thing giving way under me, and, |
awakening with a sudden start of ter
ror, listened. All was still as death. |
heard the faint sound of bell in the |
distance strike two O'Clock. Ny eyes |
wandered to the picture on the wall
at the foot of the bed. Good heavensi |
the figure in the frame is moving the |
hand is lifting the hat from its head,
and can see the plume move. What
can it mai?
My attention is so absorbed in the
of the figure that notice
not the sinking of the bed. see the
foot of the bed falling and feel the
head almost crushing me. One hercu-
zean effort, and l manage to free my
sell and regain the floor.
The bed by this time looks like an
immense sofa, the bottom has fallen
out and the cushioned sides take it's
place. Lifting one of the ends up /
can look down into the dark and
murky Seine. l turn away with an
icy shudder, and thank God for my
escape. While meditating
upon the means of escape a panel in
the door opens and hand is thrust
to unlock the door.
In a moment l have one of the pic
lures down and snap the cord, and
quick as lightning tie the hand to the
door knob, taking the key. A smoth-
cred oath reaches my ear; but / wait
no longer; snatch the money from
the table and jump from the side win
dow into the street. Bruised and
manage to teach the hotel.
The next day, followed by several
stout genddrmes, reached the place
Of my terror the night previous; but
The birds had flown. The door had
been battered down in order to extri-
;ateathe individuaPs hand which I
had tied so firmly. oi.a> 7s2.t9
To this day the vividness of the or
zeal which had passed through is ,
strongly impressed upon my memory.