New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-07-24

{ A1CeT eaClnS q rev mOutlIu us, ralS-
ed the cup tc my lips, and was about to
taste its contents. when noticed queer
look pass between the old couple at the
fire, whom happened to be watching at
the time.
" Holding the cup to my lips, I pre-
tended to swallow several times, and then.
returned it to the table untasted.
$ From that look l felt sure the tea
had either been drugged or poisoned.
But how was I to get rid Of it without
arousing their suspicious? This I deter
mided to do if possible, and in reaching
for piece of bread / accidentally, as It
were, upset the cup, and spilled its con
tents on the floor. The old woman
numbled out something which I did not
understand, and then rose to fill my cup
again. Apologizing for my awkward
ness. said / would prefer glass Of
cold water, as / seldom drank tea so late
at night.
"This did not seem to please her. but
she brought it thinking, suppose, that
had drank enough of the tea to serve
their purpose. / 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
long passage, and, throwing open the
door of a small room, handedIm e the can
die, and motioned me in
Taking it passed into the chamber,
"A 4,
I did so, twas nearly extinguished by
gust of wind. I removed it to a chair,
which was the only piece of furniture the
room contained beside the bed, and then
commenced an examination of nv room.
+ "Going to the door, l found it locked
on the outside as I had expected, but
without 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 a fastening Of some
kind, | took my knife, and splitting off a
piece of the window-sill, succeeded, after
considerable difficulty. in wedging the
door in such a wav that it could not be
opened from the outside without some
trouble and noise.
Returning to the bed, was about
throwing myself on the outside without
removing my clothes, when my eyes were
attracted by a 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. Butt had seen
enough to satisfy me as to the ntau-c of
the stalnl
II searched my pockets the hope Of
finding match, but was unsuccessful.
AS there was nothing more could do. I
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. I
was soon obliged to get beneath the ccv-
ers on account of the cold
Il think I must have lain there about
an hour, and in spite of all my resolutions
10 the contrary, must have been very near
dreamland, when I heard some one try
my door. They tried itseverai times, but
as it did not give way, they left it, ana
heard the heavy shuttle Of feet down the
passage towards the stairs.
Il sat UP in bed a 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 l felt myself growing
drowsy, and tried to shake it off. don't
know whether I succeeded or not. but
was suddenly brought to my senses by
feeling myself sinking.
Horrors!
IL pinched myself to make sure that I
was not dreaming. Yes, I was awake
and slowly but surely going down; mot
myself alone, but the bed and that part
of their floor on which it stood!
Throwing my left arm over the sad
dle-bags winch 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 a way as to completely
conceal it. Then I remained perfectly
still'and waited.
| did not have long to wait. Soon
saw a faint light, and in minute more [
was lowered into deep cellar or vault,
and the floor on which the ped stood
struck the ground. On my right stood
the landlord holding knife. On nv
left was jake, the hostler, with a dark
lantern in one hand and knife in the
other
- He is asleep heard the landlord
say, in hoarse whisper; and then he
continued. speaking to Jake: :. You take
the bags from under his arm, and If he
moves Pill
6 But he never finished the sentance in
this world, for, as quick as flash, jerk