Connecticut western news., 1885-01-21
THIRTY YEARS AGO.

lulhl ] lEAhO AUU. It stood in 8 wretched side court, lead- ing out of the 'Five Points," in New York. For three years this old frame house, with its rotten outside, had been untenanted-or, at least, it was thought 30. Gloomy and dark and grim and scowling it stood, separated on all sides from the surrounding houses, and always reminding people of it's fixed determina- tion to fall and demolish those who passed beneath its shadow, for it was crooked, crazy and seemingly falling apart. There was deep mystery about this old house, and we proceeded to unravel it.
 The church clocks of the city had tolled out eleven one dark, starless night in November, as man, dressed in deep black, ascended with noiseless footsteps the rickety stoop of this old house, and applying key to the door, entered and closed it behind him.
 
 The quiet court was deserted and partly wrapped in deep slumber.
 Gaining the dark and dusty hallway, the man proceeded onward, going up a flight of stairs and then into musty- smelling passage, narrow and dark as Hades.
 Here he produced large lantern from some corner, and striking match, he lighted candle and unlocked strong ly-barred door of room situated, it ap- peared, in the very heart of the old house, and surrounded by rooms on all sides. Into this apparently secret room the stranger entered.
 By the rays of the candle in the Ian. tern we see round, wood-paneled room, cold and chilly, three-legged stool, an old freless hearth, and 8 straw tick laid on the dirty, dust covered floor, and on this tick reclines a pale, emaciated mar of perhaps five-and twenty, tied with ar iron band around his ankles; attached to the band was chain four feet 1T length. The other end of the chain was fastened to heavy ring in the wall.
 This man is prisoner. The stranger is his jailer.
 ''So, Robert Grantly p says tht stranger, laying his lantern down ant then seating himself on the three-leg ged stool. "I've come back again, yol see Come, you aia't sleeping l"
 "Go away from my sight, you demon in mans form P cried out the prisoner "Your presence is a poison to me Curne you, what has brought you her again ? Let me starve to death, but d. not torture me by your fiendish pres encep
 "Come, now, Grantly, you know wh. I came here again. I want you to an swer, yes or-or mo-"
 ''No, you plotting scoundrel mo, t your teeth, and for the last lime"
 ''You are quite brave.. ain't you?' Bneered the stranger. "You'n neve leave this place; it shall be your tomb. Perhaps" replied the prisoner; "bu I'll not give up my life without a strug gle, I can tell you. You false, treacher ous Judas"
 ''Judas, and the stranger laughed.
 ''Yes, that is rightly your name Whom else but an assassin and Juda would have played the vile and doubl part that you have enacted. Why am here, weak and starving man? Wh, have been imprisoned here for twelv months? You are penniless man. was paying my addresses to Marial Mandrake, loving girl, whom you dis covered to have had boundless wealth You wished to gain her for your bride God help her should that be her fate stood in your way. You played tn part of friend to me, and late one dar night, after dragging me, you entice me into this grim and lonely place, COT signed me to this dreary and dark room and for one year I have not seen tn light of day."
 ''You can purchase your freedom b just"
 "By signing paper drawn up b you, Ralph Langly, renouncing a claim to Marian Mandrakes hand, an leaving her for you to win, by consent ing--by swearing to leave New York ti after you have married her. and never t mention-never to breathe to Twin soul my imprisonment here"
 Exactly, my dear Robert, these ar the conditions whereon you gain yor life and liberty, my fine fellow"
 TT scorn your offer; utterly an firmly refuse them, and defy yor threats, Ralph Langly."
 'This room shall be your tomb, thel do you hear me?" in rage, "yor tomb, say-your tomb P
 "You said that before, there's no u. Espeating it. Now go, and leave me-"