The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1882-10-24

ting the letter to Bella. and having
given an exhibition of how to use the
escape. For several nights watched
in vain for the signal. but at last it
was shown. / did not hear the dogs
about. and / gently crept nearly un-
der the window. 1t was opened.
Are you there, Bella 7" / whis-
pered.
Yes"
"You are not afraid, dear?'
"Not very. I've tied the end
round the bedstead. and | don't think
I can slip out of the loops. Have you
buggy waitipg?"
Yes, dear. at the first turn Of the
road"
Very well, Pm going to try now.
Ohw
She had launched he, self of from
the side, and was descending beauti-
fully.
Don't come too fast. dear. Use
the check ropes if you feel you're
coming too quickly"
She had got to the second floor.
when there was an unacc0untable
stoppage.
What's the matter :" / cried.
1T won't move"
"Shake the rope"
II have"
"LoOsen the check"
ut is quite loose"
"Try to pull bit"
II can't am stuck fast"
"Let me shake the rope"
TRY. Ga! oh! It's no use it
won't move"
Cant you slip out of the loop and
slide down the rope? I'll catch you ?
"No, lean not / am sitting in them
and can't get out. Oh, what's to be
done ?"
"I'll try to climb up and see.'
Bella sat dangling ia the air, like
Mohammed's coffin. between heaven
and earth.
] tried to climb, but the rope was
not half an inch thick, and clipped
back. Then camerhe tragic sequel.
There was q rush of something
behind me and a bulldog seized me
in that part which was nearest him as
he approached | have heard of
soldiers being riddled with bullets,
or almost cut and thrust to pieces by
swords and bayonets, who have still
advanced upon the enemy. / don't
believe they could have done it with
bulldog hanging OH the rear. If any Of
my male readers doubt this
aspersion of mans courage let him get
an angry bulldog and try.
Other dogs begin to give tongue.
Bella screamed. Lights were seen
moving in the house.
Go" she cried they will kill you
if thy find vou?"
''BH cannot leave you Bella" /
must own this was not true. / was
leaving her in small sections down the
dogs throat, and / fei. l must run
away.
Go save yourself"
BY a convulsive effort / shook the
dog. a considerable portion of my
trousers and a couple Of good mouth
tuls of my anatomy and bounded over
fence and up a tree. From there
/ beheld the triumphant We monters
haul Bella into a second story window.
Then they came out, and with much
crying and swearing began to look for
me. / am happy to say they we're
unsuccessful. About two hours after
| venture1 to limp home.
Bella never tried to elope again
She remained proof against all
arguments of her uncle and the
charms of his Green Mountain boys,
and when she became legally her
own mistress she became mine legally
too.
Never saw that fire-escape man
a ,ain. Perhaps it was better for him
| didn't. He never called for the
machine. Possibly he heard some
thing of the story in his travels.
| don't know that there is any
moral to this tale, except never use a
rope fire escape for an el,pement.
There must have been something pro-
phe ic in the instinct of the author of
the Old song, when he wrote:
"When lady elopes
Down ladder of ropes,
She may 90 to Hongkong for me-"
Remember This.
If you are sick Hop Bii,ers will surely
aid Nature in making you well when all
else fails. q