Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-14
fire, whom I happened to be watching at

S~~AN- 5000
returned it to the table untasted.
aFrom that look I felt sure the tea
had either been drugged or poisoned.
But how was 1 to get rid of it without
arousing their suspicious? This I deter
mided to do if possible, and in reaching
for piece of bread l accidentally, as it
were, upset the cup, and spilled its con-
tents on the floor. The old woman
mumbled out something which did not
understand, and then rose to fill my cup
again. Apologizing for my awkward
ness, / said I would prefer a glass Of
cold water, as seldom drank tea so late
at night.
"This did not seem to please her, but
she brought it thinking, 1 suppose, that
had drank enough of the tea to serve
their purpose. l soon finished my sup
per, and, after warming myself few
minutes by the fire, expressed wish to
retire.
'Taking candle the old woman beck.
oned me to follow her. She led the way
up steep flight of narrow stairs, through
a long passage, and, throwing open the
door Of a small room, handed me the can
ole, and mOt1Oned mem.
taking it I passed into the chamber,
and deposited it on the window.sill AS
1 did so, it was nearly extinguished by a
gust of wind. removed it to chair,
which was the only piece of furniture the
room contained beside the bed, and then
commenced an examination of my room.
"Going to the door, found it locked
on the outside as I had expected, but
without a fastening of any kind inside
Determined that no one should enter
without giving ne warning, approached
the bed with the intention of moving it
against the door; but to my surprise,
found it firmly fastened to the floor.
''Still resolving on fastening of some
kind, took my knife, and splitting off
piece of the wind sill, succeeded, after
considerable difficulty, in wedging the
door in such way that it could not be
opened from the outside without some
trouble and noise.
Returning to the bed, 1 was about
throwing myself on the outside without
removing my clothes, when my eyes were
attracted by large, dark stain on the
floor near my feet. Taking the candle
from the chair to make clearer examin-
alton, the light suddenly went out, leav-
ing me in total darkness. But had seen
enough to satisfy me as to the ntau-e of
the stain
II searched my pockets the hope of
finding match, but was unsuccessful.
AS there was nothing more could do,
placed my revolver beneath the pillow,
and threw myself on the bed, hoping to
get little rest, but resolving on no ac-
count to allow myself to go to sleep. 1
was soon obliged to get beneath the COW
ers on account of the cold
II think I must bave lain there about
an hour, and in spite of all my resolutions
TO the contrary, must have been very near
dreamland, when heard some one try
my door. They tried itseveral times, but
as it did not give way, they left it, ana
heard the heavy shuttle Of feet down the
passage towards the stairs.
II sat up in bed long time expecting
to hear them return. But after listening
some time and hearing nothing, con-
cluded they had given it up, and lay down
again. Again felt myself growing
drowsy, and tried to shake it off. don't
know whether succeeded or not, but
was suddenly brought to my senses by
feeling myself sinking.
"Horrors
III pinched myself to make sure that I
was not dreaming. Yes, I was awake
and slowly but surely going down; not
myself alone, but the bed and that part
Of their floor on which it stood!
Throwing my left arm over the sad
dle-bass which l had placed on the bed
on entering the room, drew my revolver
from beneath the pillow with the right,
and cooking it, thrust it beneath the bed
clothing in such way as to completely
it. Then remained perfectly
stillsand waited.
{" did not have long to wait. Soon I
saw faint light, and in minute more
was lowered into deep cellar or vault,
and the floor on which the Ded stood
struck the ground. On my right stood
the landlord holding a knife. On nv
left was jake, the hostler, with dark
lantern in one hand and knife in the
other.
"' He is asleep I heard the landlord
say, in a hoarse whisper; and then he
continued, speaking to Jake: ''You take
the bags from under his arm, and if he
moves I'll"
{" But he never finished toe sentance in
this world, for, as quick as flash, Jerk
ed my ann from beneath the clothing an
fred full in his face.
With a deep groan he fell to the
ground, dead. At the same time Jake
let fall the lantern, which was insanity
distinguished, and commenced retreat
toward the futher end of the cellar.
fired twice in that direction without
effect, but the third shot, as he was
mounting the stair, must have gone home,
it one could judge from the groan he
gave. But he continued tn ascend, cal |
ing to the old woman to open the door.
in minute more he had crawled into
The room above, the door was shut, and
was left alone with the dead landlord
md my thought, which l assure ycu
we're not the best of company
after listening some time for further
sounds from above, I sat down on tho bed
TO wait Cor daylight, which 1 thought
could not be great way off.
"After waiting some little time, it &C.
cured to me that there might be no win