The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-12-03

il not suffocated he might have to stay there
till he would be starved or frozen to death.
He had loaded revolver in his coat pocket
He took it out, thinking whether it would
not be best 10 use it and end his life. For,
even if he should live TO get out of this hor-
rible place, his fate, with his present habit
was only question of time. That bullet
would in one instant end it all.
For moment" so he afterwards told me-
''it was a toss-up which should do-die
then and there, or live on, if could, and face
temptation again"
Then there came better thoughts. He
thought of his business; thought OF what he
might make it lift were not for his bad habits
He thought, too, ola dear lady friend who
had not quite lost faith in him ; and then, by
contrast, of what he was and where he was
at that moment; his lite, too, and his duty to
other people, as well as to himself came to
his mind in new lights. What fool I've
beenP' he said. Worse than that, weakling
and coward!f
The result was that he put his pistol in his
pocket, and, in better frame of mind, look
ed higher than his own rash arm for aid
Il had never prayed, nor been taught to
pray" he said to me, but honestly said aloud,
that if God would give me one chauce more
| would try to be better man, and lead a
decent and honorable life"
And the Great Father of all, hearing Burt
Slater say these words, knew that he meant
them.
Having done this, he sat back and waited
| his fate with Il certain fortitude and stoicism.
Morning came, but no CHEEKY light found its
way into the tomb where he sat. The day
dragged on. Benumbed and faint, and poison
ed by the unhealthy gases, Burt at last fell
asleep-a sleep, perhaps, from which he might
never have walked on earth.
| Meantime Colby at the D. House, was
anxious about him. After dinner that day, as
Burt did not come back, he took Burt's hos
tier with him and drove down to l.. The
watch dog at the stable, "Old Beave," went
along with them.
They went to the boarding stable where
Burt had 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 to the
dog, and then told him to find Burt"
Beave ran about the stable, then up to the
hotel, and after awhile he ran off along the
D. road.
they could run, and saw the dog go into the
cemetery When they came up he was at the
tomb snuffing at the door.
"Oh, come away from there, you fool ex-
Claimed Colby.
"Not too fast, now" said the hostler.
"That dog is nobody's fool"
They went up to the tomb door.
Burt !" Colby shouted incredulously.
There was no answer, though the call had
partly reused Burt from his sleep.
Burt, you amt in there, arc YEP"
Eyes, | am" came family through the
heavy door.
Both men uttered an exclamation of sur
prise, Colby very forcible one. The hostler
tried the door, and they ran to find the sexton
and in short time they had Burt out of the
tomb
These events occurred more than three
years ago. Young Slater has kept his word
thus far, and has proved himself capable,
honest business man. His craving for stimu-
lants is not yet wholly quenched At times
he experiences it but it is less strong, and is
slowly but surely growing weaker.