Smyrna times., 1877-06-06

again.
l do not know how long sat thus-I
cannot say how many times l nodded,
started and aroused myself; but was sud-
denly and effectually awaked by rude
hand being placed on my shoulder, while a
gruff voice Missed in my ear, "Don't speak,
don't move. DO either and your life is not
worth a siXpence."
Imagine yourself in my position reader,
and think what you would do
| was so startled, l could not speak or
move, had the desire possessed me.
" Be still or you're a dead man ~ re-
peated the voice.
This partly aroused me.
l glanced hastily over my shoulder, half
expecting to see his satanic majesty, or
some other fendiah visitant but instead
saw the face Of II fierce looking, though
young man, with small murderous grey
eyes and heavy black beard. The beard
WAS evidently = disguise; but penetrated
it and rccognized-Jack Karkle!
Yes, it was Jack who stood before me; l
knew him we'll.
In that quick, backward glance, also
saw that ne held pistol in his hand, with
the muzzlc toward me.
"Not a word or I'll blow your brains
out !" Missed Markle, leveling the pistol al
my head. "Here, Bill" said he-anC
this was the first intimation l had thai
there was another in the room-''Here
Bill, take the barker and watch the covcy
willie ransack the house."
Every other word he uttered was al
oath, but we will not sulIy these pages by
repeating them.
The man called Bill now stcpI ed for
ward and took the pistol, while Jacl
Marlllc left the room for other parts Of tn,
| house
His last words were:
"Shoot the young dog ic he stirs or at
tcmPts to squcal.
"Aye, aye" returned Bill, "Ie'll 81
quiet enough III warrant"
Again, reader, endeavor to place your
sell III my position.
There | sat, and was compelled to sit
staring down the gaping barrel of a hug
revolver, while the house was being ran
sacked by a burglar and perhaps m
parents being murdered
| knew that my father, having it'll
faith in banks or saving institutions, a.
l-o,,f IL r
about his person; and perhaps at thi
moment the assassin's knife was raise
above his head. The thought was horr
BILE.
The term of Jack Marbles absence fror
the room seemed almost like an age a
though do not suppose lie was gone NOR
than five minutes.
After a terrible while of torturing su.
pense, he returned, carrying bag file
with plumber. "Ill travel with the lush,
said he to my guard, "and you can folio
presently"
"Aye, aye" Bill replied.
Then MarlIle left the room again, th
time by the window.
After he had gone, Bill turned savagel
upon me. "Now, I'll put you where yo
won't tell tales" he hissed and drawing
, hideous looking knife, with blade abou
a foot long, he made several fierce thrust
; at me.
| recoiled from him and in doing so
caught my foot in the chair. There was
crash and-I awoke! Yes, l had bee
| asleep and dreamed it all. Falling fror
my chair to the floor was the crash thf
; aroused me.
3 The fire was out and the oil in my lam
! had burned down until the light W
/ Pickering and pale. Looking from tt
S windows, discovered that morning strca
: ed the eastern sky.
:. Chilled to the marrow, l crawled I'M
bed and endeavored to obtain some I
: freshing repose before daylight.
y This 1 succeeded in doing, and on goil
:. down to breakfast, felt none the worst (
my terrible dream.
s. But the strangest part of the who
# affair was yet to come. 1t was easily u
is derstood why l had dreamed of Ja
l. MarlIle, for he was in my mind before
1t tiring the night before; but was &C
n sderably surprised on learning later in Il
n day that he had escaped from prison. ri
a displaced bars of his cell windows, point
Y. out his means Of exit.
1t was indeed, singular coincidence.