Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1872-12-24

side, ana an eartnern Jug SlOOd III
one corner. These were all the
room cantained, which had the APP
pcarance Of q prisoners cell.
"Will you not tell me why / am
here q / said to the men, as they
stood watching the expression of
my features.
"Because it is the wish of our
chief" answered one with grim
smile.
"Have | done anything for which
he wishes to punish me 7"
"He had better answer that ques-
ton himself.
"Shall | see him soon ?"
"You may, and you may not"
"What will become of my prop
erty meantime 2"
at will be taken good care Of"
"May | hope it viii be restored
to me Z"
"You may hope what you like"
"Will you tell me nothing to
solve the mystery in which l am
involved :"
"That is not our business here"
said the spokesman, and then both
turned to go out.
"Oh, gentlemen - exclaimed as
n horrible suspicion suddenly flash
ed upon me, spray assure me Of
one thing-that | am not to be
locked mp in here, and left to starvc
to death"
at is not for us to say" was the
reply as the heavy iron door was
swung to and locked, leaving ;ne. in
darkness, a prey to fear and dcs-
pair.
For hours no one came near me ;
and not knowing what better to do,
I stretched my weary self ont on
the mattrass, and finally fell asleep.
was awakened by the cracking
of the hinges of tho iron door |
looked up, and could scarcely be-
lieye my senses, when | beheld by
the light she held in her hand, a
young, tall, beautiful lady, with
black eyes and hair, very gaily
dressed her soft, white, tapei'ing
fingers fairly glitteTing with rings
of great value. behind her like an
evil genius, stood a wrinlllcd and
ugly old woman, whose blearcd
/ eyes and hooked nose just came OF
the shadow, over her shoulder, with
very unpleasant, if not startling
effect.
Immediately rose from my dirty
couch, and made my most polite
bow, which the young female, after
staring hard at me, in very pecu-
liar manner, for nearly half a min
ute, acknowledged by very slight
inclination of her head.
A"What is your name, age and
country, scnor!' she said, at length,
speaking in the tone Of one accus-
toned TO command.
"My name is Walter Ainsworth
] am twenty-nine years of age, and
/ was born in the United States
"What is the value of your mule
train including goods and ami
mails %
"Ten thousand dollars"
"What amount of money have
You about your person, and what
things of value g
l knew l might as well tell the
truth, and the whole truth, as en-
deavor to conceal anything, for
was unqucstionably in the hands
of an organized body of brigands
who would search me, or do what
ever else with me they might
choose 50 l answered without hes
itation:
81 have in money not far from O
hundred dollars and gold watch,
worth perhaps, two hundred these
are all of any special value, my sill
pistols and bowie
knife having already been given
up"
"Are you married or single ?"
81 have n wife and two children"
"Where p
ain New Orleans"
"Do they depend upon you for
support p
ENTIRELY"
"IIave you other property beside
your mule train p
"Only littlc-worth perhaps
some few hundred dollars"
al think you have given me hon
est and truthful answers" she said,
looking me keenly in the eye.
81 have indeed, fair lady, and /
hope ! may trust much to your
and mercy y
"Give him bread and water,
Frances (" she said, turning TO the
old woman.
The latter stepped past her mis-
tress and placed a stone jug and
loaf of bread on the ground at my
feet Then she advanced to the
corner and took away the jug al
ready there. Both then turned to
go out, and ] exclaimed pleading
y:
"IIave mercy fair lady and pro-
cure me my liberty ("
"What will you give for it 2" she
inquired.
"If necessary, everything pos
sess."
81 viii consider the proposition"
she replied and when the heavy
iron door was again swung to and
locked, and was again left in