The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-06-29

When nature made the jai-bird who had
led me into this trap, she did not break
the mould. These gentlemen were Of the
same pattern. All wore the same hang
dog, murderous look. One of them raised
the light in the room, which had been
burning low. With hardly glance at
me, they took seats upon the floor, and
began to play cards.
Soon the door again opened, and an
other man entered. | hardly had hope
as looked at him, for Isaw the exulting
face of my enemy-Dick Somers
Alta glance he saw that [ recognized
him. With malicious leer, he stepped
forward, and quoting his own words of
two years before, said:
"You have ruined my love and my
life. Remem!kf that, and fear me !"
saw in his face, at once showing his
revenge and desperation, that nothing
could turn him aside from his pur-
pose.
"Somers," sad-for my life l couldn't
have called bim Mr.. Somers-'I know
that you have trapped me here for the pur-
pose of revensing yourself upon me, but
remember, sir, that I have friends Re-
member law and justice!"
81 fear nothing" he answered. 81 de-
fly man and God Revenge on you is
dearer to me than life; and though for
me the boEtomless pit were yawning, |
would have it.
saw it was useless to appeal to this
man, and l sullenly waited for what
seemed fate.
At his command the rufians searched
me. One of them, who appeared to be
kind of treasurer for the gang, secured
my watch and pocket-book. Then they
tied me with Stout ropes to chair.
Somers did not address me again, but
sat upon upon the floor and gambied with
the rest. Presently he rose and saying he
would return by daybreak, left the room.
He evidently felt was in his power, and
seemed in no hurry to complete his re-
venge.
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 burIy form of the
treasurer. In spite Of the apparent hope
lessness of the trial, | set about deyising
some plan Of escape.
The first thing to do was to free myself.
| have large wrists and small hands. In
tying ME they had not taken this into con-
sIderaton. Without much difficulty |
liberated my hduIs; then, Of course, it
was the work of but few seconds to en-
tirey free myself from my bonds.
Taking the precaution to place the
ropes in such a position that. should any
ofthe gang waken, | would still appear to
be bound, | thought upon my chances Of
escape. They certainly appeared very few
and small. The fact OF the men upon the
floor being asleep, seemed little in my IA
yor. could not move the ruftian
who was sleeping at the door without
waking him. As have before stated, es-
cape by the window was impossible. Every
plan that suggested itself had insur-
mountable objections to it. | had almost
given up scheming in despair, and con-
cuded to adopt some hopelessly desperate
measure, when | thought Of the con-
tents of bottle had in my pocket.
In searching me, the ruffians had not
disturbed it, thinking it Of no Importance.
1t contained chloroform |, also, had a
sponge in my pocket. In moment had
resolved what to do. Drawing the bottle
from my pocket, soaked the sponge
thoroughly with its contents.
Slowly, painfully Il could hear my
heart beaO, with all the caution that a
man uses when his life may depend on the
slightest noise, / stepped to the side of
the nearest rufian.
Iplaced the saturated sponge to his nose.
I saw him quickly yield to the influence
Of the vapor. From man to man | step
ped. One by one they were made sense
less, helpless.
The man at the door was the last
drew him away, first securing my watch
and pocket-book. also found in his pos
session blackjack, which took the lib
erty of appropriating. Then, opening the
door, stepped out into the ball.
still moved cautiously, feeling that al
danger was not past. | thought there
might be a watcher there, but, to my re-
lief, saw no one. | descended the frs
fight of stairs, and reached the seconc
story in safety.
| had gone about halfway down the
second fight. My heard stood still, for
heard some one enter below, then, il
the muttered oath, | recognized Somers
voice. crouched down upon the stair mex
tie wall, hoping he might pass me. Bu
q. he came m his hand brushed m,