The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-02-04

horse away, and l followed the woman into |
the house, and going up to the fire, took
off my overcoat and drawing chair up,
sat down and dried myself az the generous
blaze, while the woman prepared some
supper. Looking around, while sitting at
the fire, saw for the first time beautiful
young girl sitting in corner. Her face
was pale, and her eyes had frightened
look in them that filled me with pity. The
elder woman, looking around, saw that |
was looking at the girl, and said sharply:
"Go up stairs, gal, and stay thar till /
call ye." ar
She obeyed and went up stairs. Shortly
after, the door was thrown open, and five
men armed to the teeth strobe ill., Four
Of them were rough, ugly-looking villains
the fifth was short, thick-set young man,
and looked rather more refined than the
others, but there was look of the devil in
his face that did not like. They looked
inquiringly at the woman, on seeing me,
and she said
"He is traveller that has lost his way
in the storm"
"Where is the girl2" asked the young
man of whom have spoken.
Cup stairs" answered She and turn
ing to me, added.
"Come inter the next room, mister,
and I'll fetch ye yer supper"
followed her into the next room, and
she drew table into the middle of the
floor, and spreading coarse cloth on 1t,
went into the outer room again. / began
to feel rather uneasy at my situation, for
did not like the looks of the men. ex-
amined my revolver, and determined to be
careful.
Soon the woman entered, accompanied
by the girl, and placed some corn bread,
plate of fried ham, and some coffee on the
table, noticed that the girl looked at me
in a peculiar manner, as if desirous of
speaking to me, AT last, as she poured
out the coffee, she slipped into my hand q
small piece of paper She then went out,
and was followed by the woman. un-
folded the paper, and read the following:
edo not touch the coffee it is drugged.
You may eat the bread and meat. These
people are robbers, and intend to rob and
murder you. am kept here against my
will. My name is Jessie Emory. / was
stolen away from my home by man nam
ed Harris. you will aid me in escaping,
/ will contrive to saddle two horses and tie
them outside, and if we can once get to
them, we are safe. We will have to 90
through the outer room to escape, for there
is only one door. Contrive some means to
let me know what you intend to do"
was never SO amazed in my life
Though had thought it strange to see so
beautiful maiden living with such people
as these, yet the thought that she was the
missing Jessie Emory had never crossed
my brain. tore a sheet from my note
book, and wrote these words:
"Have the horses ready, and will do
my best in aiding you to escape"
threw the drugged coffee into the ashes
and hearing the woman coming, l raised
the cup to my lips as if in the act of empty
ing, it, and set it on the table just as she
entered. She gave quick look at the
empty cup, and noticed CLEAN of sat
isfaction fit over her face. gave her the
cup, and said:
"Your coffee is good. Please fill my
cup again"
She called Jessie, and told her to bring
the cofee-pot She brought it, and while
filling my cup l managed to slip the note
into her hand. She went out with the
woman. disposed Of my fresh coffee in
the same manner as the first, and finishing
my supper, put on my overcoat, drew a
chair up to the fire, and waited for Jessie
to make her appearance. The robbers in
the next room were very quiet. was full
ly awake to the dangerous character of our
enterprise. We would have to make our
way through the outer room, in the face OF
five men each armed to the teeth: but |
calculated on taking them by surprise, and
} knew that, if by sudden rush we could
get outside and reach the horses, we could
bid them defiance. had sat short time
! when heard whispers in the outer room.
walked cautiously to the door and placed
} my ear to the key-hole, and heard the wo-
man say:
"Gal, go in an see if he's asleep yet"
The door opened and Jessie entered
Are you ready?" whispered she.
EYES," answered ], cooking my revolver
had placed my left arm around her waist
! ]