Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-02

made the horrible discovery that he was
IN tomb alone with the dead. NJ
AS yet he could recall little or nothing
of last evenings doings. How he had
got there, or who had put him there, or
for what purpose, was more than he
could divine. At first, he thought that
he must have been taken for dead, and
put in there to wait for a post norton
examination, or something of that sort
But this idea was too inn probable for
him to entertain long; and there was
even less probability that he had been
put there Ter joke.
Then he lighted more matches, and
tried the door. It was heavy iron door,
and securely bolted; for he could not
move it.
Then he shouted for help till he made
himself hoarse; but the echo of his own
voice, as it resounded through the pent-
up resting place of the dead, was his
only reply.
Now Burt was not person to be
alarmed without great cause; so, with
more composure than might be supposed,
he sat down on q coffin and took account
OF his chances. They were not hattering.
The only thing that he could be sure OF
was the fact that he was in a tomb, with
the door locked, and with very poor
prospect, so far as he could see, Of getting
out. The place was close and noisome to
the last degree: and even if not sufocated,
he might have to remain there till he
would be starved or frozen to death.
He had q loaded revolver in his under
coat pocket. He took it out, thinking
whether it would not be better to use il
and end his life. For, even if he should
live to get out Of the horrible place, his
fate, with bis present habit, was only a
question Of time. That bullet would in
one instant end it all.
"For moments be afterwards told
me,-s'it was toss-up which I should do,
die then and there, or live On, if I could,
and face temptation again.
Then there came better thoughts. He
thought of his business; thought of what
ne might make it if it were not for his
bad habits. He thought Of what he
might be if he were true man. He
thought, too, Of dear lady friend who
had never quite lost faith in him; and
then, by contrast, of what he was, and
where be was at that moment; his life,
tco and his duty to other people, as well
as to himself, came to his mind in new
lights. "What a fool I've been!' he said
Worse than that, weakling and COW
ard!'
There was ample scope here for thought,
certainly; and Burt did more serious
thinking then than he had ever done in
his life before. The result was that he
put his pistol in his pocket, and in bet
ter frame of mind, looked higher than
his own rash arm for aid.
II had never prayed. nor been taught
to pray he said to ne, ''but I honestly
said aloud, that if God would give me
one chance more, would try to BE tet-
ter man, and lead decent and honorable
life" And the Great Father of all, hear
ing Burt Slater say these words, knew
that he meant them
Having done this, he sat back and
waited his fate with a certain fortitude
and stoiclsm, which those who know his
character would understand better than a
stranger. Morning came, but no CHEEKY
light found its way into the tomb where
he sat. The day dragged on. The place
was sitting and unutterably noxious. Be
numbed and faint, and poisoned by the
unhealthy gases, Burt at last tell asleep,
"a sleep perhaps from which he light
never have walked on earth.
Meantime Colby, at the D-House, was
anxious about him he had watched him
drive off the previous morning, and fear
ed it was not for good purpose. After
dinner that day, as Burt did not come
back, he took Burt's hosrler with him and
drove down to Il. The watch dog
at the stable, "Old Beave," went along
with them.
They went to the boarding stable
where Burt bad put up his horse. They
found the animal still there, and learned
what they could regarding him.
The hostler took Burt's driving-gloves
out of the carriage and threw them down
Beave ran about the stable, then up to
the hotel, and after awhile he ran off
along the D. road.
Colby and the hostler followed as fast
as they could run, and saw the dog go in
to the cemetery.
When they came up he was at the
tomb, snuffing at the door.
ooh, come away from there, you fool p;
exclaimed Colby.
"Not too fast now" said the hostler.
s'That dog is nobody's fool!'
They went up to the tomb door
'tBujz!" Colby shouted, incredulously.
There was no answer, though the call
had partly reused Burt from his sleep.
"Burt, you amt in there, are ye?"
Eyes, I am" came family through the
heavy door.
Both men uttered an exclamation of
surprise, Colby very forcible one. The
hostler tried the door, and then ran to
find the sexton, and in short time they
had Burt out of the tomb
well, how'd ye get in there?" asked
Colby.
II don't now quite recollect," replied
Burt gravely.
The two men looked steadily but ex.
pressively at each other moment; then
Colby said:
"Burt, I wouldn't drink any more if l
were YOU"
"I'm not going to-" said Burt, quietly.
The hostler grinned. The astonished
sexton locked the tomb again, and the
three young men returned to their homes.
These events have occurred more than
three years ago. Young Slater has kept
his word thus far, and has proved him.
self capable, honest business man. His
craving for stimulants is not yet wholly
quenched. At times he experiences it.;
but it is less strong, and is slowly but
surely growing weaker.
Ifthis man can reform, believe it is
in the power of every drunkard cursed
by an appetite for intoxicating liquor to
throw it off, and become master Of him
self.