Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-03-08
$elefted Sturw.
A NARROK ESCAPE.

A NAhhOV GSCA1 Es
In the winter of 1S42, gentleman and his
daughter, a young lady, while travelling
through Canada, arrived about night fall at
an old-fashioned tavern. The gentleman con-
cluded to stop there instead of going on to the
village of s., which was ten miles distant,
and which they had thought to reach. The
daughter-Csrrie-expressedh hsr willingness,
as the tavern presented comfortable appear
ance, and they alighted, when it was plainly
to be seen that the gentleman was quite lame,
so much so that he was obliged to use cane.
The landlord came out, and calling boy
to take the horse aud sleigh to the barn, be
ushered Mr.. Spencer and his daughter into a
pleasant sitting room, where bright fire was
burning on the hearth, which proved very &C.
ceptable to our travellers, who had been in the
sleigh since morning.
"Your room will be ready by supper time,
SIR" said the landlord, as he left the room and
went into the bar-room.
Supper was shortly announced, and after
refreshing themselves, Mr.. Spencer and Car
rie returned to the cozy sitting room, where
they talked and chatted until $3.50. They
were then shown to their room, which was on
the second story, in wing somewhat distant
from the main portion.
The room was very long, With high cell
ing. On one side was window, and on the
other door. Just above the door was bust
of King George III. The room was plainly
furnished, containing two beds, a wash.stand
and a few chairs.
Carrie took in the wide room at glance,
and it must be confessed, had there not been
cheerful fire burning, she would have felt
nervous about sleeping there. AS it was, the
warm glow lit up the room into comparative
cheerfulness.
While she and her father sat by the fire,
her eyes wandered to the bust above the door,
when she noticed that the eye.balls had evi.
dently been knocked out, leaving two empty
spaces.
"Well, Carrie" said Mr.. Spencer, present.
ly, II think you had better lock the door. l
am going to count my money"
After Carrie had done so, he drew out q
money-belt, heavy with bills, and proceeded
to count them. While doing so, Carries eyes
involuntarily wandered again to the bust,
when, to her horror and astonishment, in place
of the empty spaces, she saw two glittering
eyes, greedily watching every movement of
her father.
The young girl could scarcely repress a
scream but controlling herself, looked to-
ward the fire, while her father went on count.
ing large roll of bills.
II must have been mistaken" thought the
fair young girl "What should make me
have such strange fancy, though ?" she CON.
tinued, glancing again at the bust.
Tho eyes were still there-two burning,
savage eyes that frightened as Mr.. Spencer
went on counting.
"Good heavensp thought Carrie, "what
shall we do! We are evidently in den of
thieves, and will be murdered for my poor
fathers money"
How to communicate their danger to her
father without those terrible eyes noticing it,
Carrie could not think. Suddenly bright
idea came to her.
Father" she said aloud, "let me take a
card and pencil. I wish to make a memoran-
dunn of some items I want to purchase in the
village.
Her father handed them to her, after stow.
ing away bis belt. Carrie wrote tremblingly,
in fine hand:
Father, do not be frightened we are in a
trap. Go 10 the opposite corner Of the room,
whars your face Will be IN the dark, and look
at the bust over the door. In it you will see
two glittering eyes that have watched you
count your money.
"Read it," she said aloud, handing the card
to her father. II want to see if you think I
am too extravagant."
Her father betrayed no emotion while he
read, but said:
"You are pretty extravagant, Carrie. I
suppose you think your father is made Of
money!" and he arose and went to the wash
stand, which was in dark corner.
Once there he glanced toward the bust, and
that glance confirmed his daughters extraor-
dinary statement. When he came back to
his seat, Carrie saw that the eyes were gone.
Then, leaning toward her father, she said in
low tone:
"You see it is as said. I have thought of
a plan, however, by which we can both escape.
You would be perfectly helpless iu an afray
of any kind on account Of your game leg, and
1 muSG Wy w ooSO 10 oo9A'
Then followed a whispered consultation,
during which Carrie kept her eyes fixed on
the bust; but the glittering orbs had not
come back. As she concluded, Carrie went
to the window, she threw it up, and looked
out. Reckoning to her father, who came, she
said. or rather whispered:
"You see this shed, father? Well, they
will probably come up on it and get in
through the window. I do not think they
will make the attack before IL, so will get
out of this window, jump from this shed, 60
to the barn and take our horse, and 60 to
s. for he elp."
Flinging a wrap over her slight figure, she
embraced her father tenderly, and bidding
him not worry over her, she jumped lightly
out on the shed and disappeared.
Mr.. Spencer watched her for awhile, then
closing window, took out a watch, saw that
it was nine o'clock, and proceeded to work.
He first covered up the fire, blew out the
light, and rolled up blanket, with which
be made dummy. This he placed in the
bed which his daughter was to occupy.
Then he sat down and wated-oh, how, snx-
iously!
Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes went by, and
no sound came from the vicinity of the barn.
Taking off his boots he crept noiselessly to
the window and peeped out. but could see
nothing. Then creeping to the washstand he
laid his money.belt in the drawer and closed
it. He then threw himself on the bed and
once more waited.
After an hour had apparently gone by,
Mr.. Spencer threw off his coat and vest, tum-
bled up the bed, hobbled to the door, unlock.
ed it, and stepped out into the hall. This
was all in accordance with Carries plan.
Landlord landlord! !" he shouted.
He then went back into the room and
noiselessly threw up the window, all the time