Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-12-07
ACCIDENTS OF A LIFE.
THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURES
OF A NEW YORK MERCHANT.

About eleven o'clock on q mild De-
c.mber night, in the year 1903, Mr..
Nicholas Young, q respectable merchant
of New York city, turned the key In his
store door and directed his steps home
ward.
He had been busily engaged in taking
account of stock, and was, therefore, un-
usually late. A model of regularity in
all his habits, he was never known to be
out of his house after ten in the even
ing, except on s1rh periodical occasions
as the present.
He was plain man Of forty-fve who
had never married, and Inhabited an un-
pretending but comfortable abode In
what was then the semi-rural district
about Bleecker street. His family con-
sisted solely of his old housekeeper and
q colored man.
He had not walked far on the night in
question, when he was startled by cry
as OF a female in distress, seemingly
proceeding from close carriage, which
was driving past at a moderate rate OF
speed. The vehicle had not gone twenty
yards further before the cry was again
raised, clear and shrill, and he distinctly
saw a white handkerchief waving from
the window.
Constitutionally fearless, and endowed
with no small share of native chivalry,
Mr.. Young lost 20 time in fastening to
the rescue of the presumed captive.
Accident seemed to favor him, for just
then the driver dropped his whip, and.
before he could recover it and regain
his seat, the merchant was at the car
riage door, which be attempted to open.
he was resisted by a strong grasp from
within, while q man thrust his head
from the window and angrily demanded
what was meant by such unwarrantable
intrusion.
MIR. Young as peremptorily inquired
whether female was being carried of
against her will, and stated his intention
of searching into the matter. He was
answered at once by blow on the head
from slungshot, or similar instrument,
which felled him to the ground iusensi
BILE. On recovering, he found himself
lying, gagged and bound, at the bottom
of the coach, which was being driven
furiously. Defenseless as sheep borne
to the sbambles, he could only await his
fate with such resignation as he could
muster.
Hours seemed to pass before the vehi
Gle came to a stop, when the door waE
opened and he was lifted out in perfect
silence by two stout men. He now saw
by the glimmering starlight, that they
were standing on the further end of {
long wharf-a pier-the other extremity
of which was hidden in darkness. Rock
ing on the waves, almost under theil
feet, lay small rowboat. Into this
still without a word being spoken, b
was transferred by the same hands, ant
it was then made fast to the stern OF
sailing vessel, which lay close by will
all her canvas set. His two captor
climbed aboard the latter craft, who's
anchor was Immediately weighed, AM
she stood out to sea, towing Mr.. Young
alone and helpless, behind her.
Before morning the boat was cast OF
the sailing vessel quickly disappears
from his view, and the unfortunate mer
chant found himself drifting, withou
oars or provisions, at the mercy of tn
waves. When day broke, he had sue
coe3ed in freeing one of his hands, All
shortly afterward released himself irol
ALI his fastenings. He now discovere