Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1888-04-14
BERNARD WREN,S YARN.
The Adventures of q Resident Of
Massachusetts, on Quitting Cork.
From the Boston Globe.I


Speaking of narrow ESCAPES from death
Bernard Wren says:
ut was about fifty years ago that
left the paternal roof in the county o.
LOngfois, Ireland, for the United States
Arriving in Cork, 1 bought my tickle,
for passage on board the ship, bull as she
was not to sail before 10 o'clock in the
evening, took stroll about the civ
While wandering about I innocentiy
stepped into what 1 nfterward learned
was sailors boarding house. 1 was
watching the dance which was in pro.
gress, when suddenly there was a loud
report, the lights were extinCuished.
and wa were left in total darkness
While cropping my way about to find an
exit was seized and taken into room.
and nearly all of my clothing taken from
me. L could hear voices in the neigh
boring room, and called loudly for help,
but no notice was taken of my cries,
"Giving myself up to fate, l started to
walk across the room, but rs soon as
had done so the floor gave way. I fell.
l should say, about 30 feet, landing in a
bed OF soft muck. Thank fortune the
tide was at its ebb. After groping about
for some time by the aid Of the spiles
gained solid footing, climbed a wall,
and found myself upon street.
II wandered in my almost nude condi-
ton, saving the muck, until arrived at
shed used for the storing of coal. The
door was open and 1 entered.
"But evidently had been followed,
for soon q voice outside said:
"'He must be very cold. Go to-
and get the clothes, and 1 will find the
man.
"a large man entered the shed. and
drawing bulls eye lantern, turned it
full upon me.
"'lOu are in trouble, 1 should say, by
your outfit, he said.
Yes, l replied, 4 am in trouble, and
[ wish to get out of it.
81 then related to him q slight sketch
of my personal history, giving due en-
phasis to the fact that was friendless
and had lost my ticket. and he would
see for himself that l had neither money,
clothes, nor concealed weapons.
az have sent q friend for some
clothes for you,' he said; and have a
little job l wish you to do. If you &C
complish it to my satisfaction will paw
you money enough to buy another pas
sage ticket and provide you with clothes.
"T'll do it,
"The companion having arrived with
the clothes, l put them on and followed
my employer. A clock in the distance
had just tolled the hour of midnight.
After proceeding a short distance on
foot we met carriage, and MY leader
had few words in IN undsrtOne with
the driver. We then entered the car.
riage and rode about fifteen minutes.
when We came to a sudden halt. NV
employer alighted first, and, taking me
by the hand, assisted me out. Tho
moon had Just arisen, and 1 could see q
high closed fenct upon either side of the
way.
Follow me, he said.
II followed. He took from his pocket
a key and unlocked door in the fence:
We entered, and I found myself in a
cemetery.
"'NOw,' said he, I'll tell you what I
want stopping in his walk and placipg
his foot on a stone slab. Beneath that
stone is flight of steps which leads to
tomb. L want you to 60 down there
"'And bury me alive2' 1 said.
"'NO; 1 will see you safely conducted
back to the city; but in there is the
corpse OF a young lady. want the
chain and lOcket she has about her neck,
the breastpin, and the diamond ring
which she has on her left hand"
"'All right my boy, I'll get them
for you;' and the two removed their
wraps, and the three of us turned the
stone aside.
81 took the lantern from them and
went down. There was no mistaking
the coffin. There were a number there
but all were old and showed signs or
decay save one. l called for an instru-
ment to open the case aud was handed
. small pry. With that removed the
lid, and more beautiful form nv ewes
never before saw than the one lying be-
lore me. removed the necklace, the
locket and the pin, but the ring I
could not remove from the ginger.
"'Have You got them yeti! called a
voice from above.
II reported progress.
"They threw down pocketknife and
cut the ring from the finger. l had
hem all in my possession.
"'Come, hurry up they said: we
must be away. Hand them up
"NOt until come up myself. I re-
'lied, and then replaced the lid on the
'offin.'
"Just then noise of hurrying of feet
vas heard and the robbers, seeming
slammed the stone back
eaving me down there alone with the
lead.
81 sat there, nm unable to tell how
orc-, but l was awakened from a stupor
which had come over me by q noise
The lamp had burned down
MT l could see man removing the
tone. AS Le threw it back and stepped
own l rushed forward and grabbed his
q. He gave scream and forced him
elf up; but l retained my hold until he
'as out, when l released him, and
Ould see in the dim distance two men
hon he seemed anxious to overtake.
then sat down few minutes, as was
. weak 1 could sccrcely stanl, after
'hich walked to town and soon sailed
'r america. My first settlement was
l this town, where have remained
nee, except during few years. If that
nOta narrow escape, get Richard
orrest to tell you where he was during
10 Burns riot in Boston,"