Nevada County picayune., 1886-09-08
A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.
BY L. E. F.

happened l would start from my sleep with cry of horror, as the scene was vividly before me in a dream.
 l was young then, active, strong, and not wanting in courage, tho it may seem like sounding my own trumpet to say so.
 In the days l speak of, if a man went out at night he did so at his own risk, The police were not the highly-traincd half-miIitary author lties that we see now, but were comparatively useless. They were generally old men, stupid, idle, and f mostly too stout to move faster l than at a funeral pace. To add to this, the streets were wretchedly lighted; so that in the very cities robbery with violence was no uncommon occurrence.
 l was apprenticed at the small town of T--, some ten miles from the village where my father resided.
 l was always steady lad, though perhaps as much from necessity as ! choice; for apprentices dike the p0licc) were different in those days. They were not like the fashionably dressed young sweIls 1 see now. In those days they were very hard worked. ! regret to say very of ten indeed only half fed. But 1 had a good berth, take it alto gcther.
 Alter 1 had earned so much for my master, had the rest for my self,aud 1 could get a deal of money too for all apprentice, and what is more, 1 could save it.
 would leave off work by nine, or a little after; then l would have to set things straight, wash and sit down to supper, at the end of which time the hour hand was generally pointing close to ten. So would just have time to read a few pages of a favorite book before the clock struck half.past, when l had to retire for the night That was how it came about that every three months had quite a nice little sum of money to take home with me.
 However, to my story. II WIS on che 2lth of December, land l Was going home to spend ICuristmas day with my relations. ! Mas to start in time to reach home Itor friendly gathering that even- ling. In the morning, however, my master had occasion to drive over 't9 village some miles distant. He vas Co return by midday to pay .ma anal ict me start before dark, .ue-, came ou.
 But he Was detained.
 WG.4 hc wasleady to start back H .uc weather had got so bad that it aas with the utmost difficulty he could make .he horse creep along; . 70 Iustrad of returning as he prom ed. it was nearly six o'clock be- .ary heard ,hc welcome batter .si ola Nit,y's aooG coming up the 1al
 ue Was dar'> up1tu, aud when .from.uded him that | wanted to
 tatl, he looked at me in amaze. I mout
 "Nby. Jack" ." sl.lhc, you uey. -f uyau to sy you intend turning .oat ,a-ui4ht S,as ull morning, .hd. taey will never expect you. Why. you viii be blown into the 4uaru,s"
 i. Hut lhe hot blood courscd through my veins in those days, .mlIv vas determined to 50, come .alatm.-hl
 Eutr. a d.alof persuasion, he .p.,tue. alG od ! .aItcd ou. iu. .a Ht batter co,i
 Iar uisl, was very dark, bat thc mom appeared now and again 4om le4.aJ cloud, the effect .heurumt ,a, darkness seemed l mosc m....- .hra he was not tiAtIe.
 iwar5 o ta. ur, md aa, soon 0u ,ha turnpike. aai ua g few minutes the Itle tovuoa lost tu E. 3. .-ht auj to memory.
 Ns thoughts kept me from mo. ti..ue thg darkness.
 could see iha bright room aI E. +tI#,.. .fl F.tlrr iY- Ii4