Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-09-08

would return by daybreak, left the room.
H. evidently felt was in his power, and
seemed in no hurry to complete his re-
When he had gone, the card playing
was kept up for couple of hours. Then
they all stretched themselves upon the
floor and slept The door opened inward
and across it was the burly form of the
treasurer. In spite Of the apparent hope
lessness of a trial, set about devising
some plan Of escape.
The first thing was to free myself.
had large wrists and small hands. In
tying me they had not taken this into
consideration. Without much difiulty
l liberated my hands; then, of course, it
was the work Of but a few seconds to en-
hrely free myself from my bonds.
Taking the precaution to place the
ropes in such position that should any
Of the gang waken, l would still appear
to be bound, 1 thought upon my chances
of escape. They certainly appeared very
few md small. The fact of the men up
on the floor being asleep, seemed little
in my favor. l could not move the ruff
faH who was sleeping at the door without
waking him. As have before stated,
escape by the window was impossible.
Every plan that suggested itself had in
surmountable objections to it. / had
almost given up scheming in dispair,
and concluded to adopt some hopelessly
desperate measure, when | thought of
the contents Of a bottle I had in my
pocket.
In searching me, tn eruffians had not
disturbed it, thinking it of no import
ance. It contained ohloroform. l also
had a sponge IN my pocket. In mo-
ment had resolved what to do. Draw
ing the bottle from my pocket, I soaked
the sponge thoroughly with its contents.
Slowly, painfully Il could hear my
heart beat), with all the caution that a
man uses when his life may depend on
the slightest noise, l. stepped to the side
nearest of the ruffian.
I placed the saturated sponge to his
nose. saw him quickly yield to the in
f1uence Of the vapor From man to man
1 stepped. One by one they were made
senseless and helpless.
The man at the door was the last. I
drew him away, first securing my watch
and pocket-book. I also found in his
possession blackjack, which took the
liberty Of appropriating. Then, op-
ening the door, l stepped into the hall.
] still moved about cautiously, feeling
that all danger was not past. ] thought
there might be a watcher there, but, to my
relief, I saw no one. L descended the
first flight of stairs, and reached the
second story in safety. had gone
about half way down the second flight.
My heart stood still, for heard some one
enter below; then, in the muttered oath,
l recognized Somers' voice. l crouched
down upon the stair next the wall, hop
ing he might pass me. But as he came
up, his hand brushed my face.
In a moment he had me by the throat.
I knew him to be by far the more power
full man, and it was not a time for scru-
Piles. Quickly, it being SO dark he could
not see the action, 1 raised the black
jack had held it since I left the room
and brought it down heavily upon his
skull.
His hand left my throat, and, a ifeless
mass, rolled down the stairs. I found
him at the foot quite still. I made good
my escape, not stepping to see if had
killed him. do not know to this day
whether he is living or dead. l never
saw nor heard of him again.
When arrived no ne I found very
frightened little woman, but [ did not
tell her till long afterward the history of
that NIGHT. have never since been in
such a fix, and if discretion and reason
able supply of cowardice can prevent it,
never will be in the future.