The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-10-20

try TO smuggIe II letter to Bella, ex-
| planning that she was at night to get
/ possession Of the escape, attach it to
her bedstead, and slide down into my
waiting arms, which would be waiting
as near as the dogs would let them. On
the night she was ready. she was to sig
nal in certain way with candle at
the window.
The peddler started off, and soon re-
turned, having been successful in get
ting the letter to Bella, and having
given an exhibition of how to use the
escape. For several nights waited in
vain for the signal, but at last it was
shown. I did not hear the dogs about,
and l gently crept nearly under the
window. 1t was opened.
'Are you there, BellaP" whispered.
Eyes"
you're not afraid, dearp''
'Not very. I've tied the end around
the bedstead, and l don't think can
slip out of the loops. Have you bug
gy waiting?"
"Yes, dear; at the first turn of the
road"
"Very well. am going to try now.
Ohr'
She had launched herself off from the
side and was descending beautifully.
'Don't come too fast, dear. Use the
check rope if you feel you are coming
too quickly"
She had got to the second floor, when
there was an unaccountable stoppage.
whats the matterp cried.
at won't move"
"Shake the rope"
IL have"
''Loosen the check"
at is quite loose"
''Try to pull up Bit"
II can't; I'm stuck fast"
'Let me shake the rope"
'Try. Oh! oh! ''It's no use; it won't
move"
"Can't you slip out of the loop and
slide down the ropep I'll catch YOU"
mo, can not; am sitting in them
and can't get out. Oh, what's to be
donep"
"rll try to climb up and see.''
Bella sat dangling in the air, like
Mohammed's coffin, between heaven
and earth.
tried to climb, but the rope was not
half an inch thick, and slipped back.
Then came the tragic sequel. There
was rush of something behind me, and
a bulldog Seized me in that part which
had been nearest to him as he APP
preached. have heard of soldiers rid
died with bullets, or almost cut and
thrust to pieces by swords and bayo-
nets who have still advanced upon the
enemy. don't believe they could have
done it with bulldog hanging on
rearward. If any one of my male
readers doubts this aspersion of mans
courage, let him get an angry bulldog
and try.
Other dogs began to give tongue.
Bella screamed. Lights were seen NOV
ing in the house.
"Go?' she cried; 'they will kill you
if they find you."
'But cannot leave you, Bella"
must own this was not true. 1 was
leaving her in small sections down the
dogs throat, and felt must run
away.
go; save yourself"
BY convulsive effort shook off the
dog, considerable portion of my
trousers and couple of good mouth
fuls of my anatomy, and bounded over
fence and up tree. From there
watched the triumphant Vermonters
haul Bella into second-story window.
Then they came out, and with much
crying and swearing began to look for
me. L am happy to say they were I'M
successful. About two hours aftcrward
l ventured to limp home.
Bella never tried to elope again. She
remained proof against all the argu-
ments of her uncle and the charms of
the Green Mountain boys, and when
she became legally her own mistress she
became mine legally too.
Never saw that fire-escape man
again. Perhaps it was better for him
didn't. He never called for his ma
chine. Possibly he heard something of
the story in his travels.
don't know that there is any more
to this tale, except never to use rope
fire-escape for an elopement. There
must have been something prophetic in
the instinct of the author of the old
song, when he wrote:
When lady elopes
Down ladder OF ropes,
She may go to Hong Kong for me.
Julian Magnas IN Argonaut.