The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-02-02

TO bis assistance, and with my SIM
pie arm combat the whole gang and
Try TO save bis life' Or. should j
make the best Of my way ont Of the
accursed spot, and run to the vil-
lage and give tho alarm' For u
moment ] was undecided. Either
way it seemed that Toms life vas at
stake.
Az lnst formed the resolution TO
go for help, aud was edging my way
out from beneath the stairs, when
the door IT the secret apartment was
thrown open, and the brilliant light
which had seen before flashed out.
Hastily | fell back against the
wall. fearing that should be discov-
cred; and there 1 lay, holding my
breath, while three or fonr OF my
gang went peeping about the cellar
and through the bouse seeking for
any coupaions which Tom might
have brought with him. At last
they we're apparently satisfied that
he came alone, aud returned to their
don, leaving mo undiscovered.
No sooner was the door shut than,
having changed my mind az to the
|
course Of procoa'., I emerged from
my hiding place, and crept noiseless-
ly up Stare, across the kitchen, out
into the open air.
Here, 10 the thick shrubbery which
x, ew close to the bouse, l secreted
myself, and there remained motion
less, uLtil ! counted as mauy leave
the house as l had seen enter the
cellar. Thou, when had given
them Il chance to get well clear OF
the promises, re-eutered the house,
and FASTENED down to the cellar TO
hear, if possible, the fate OF Tom. |
carried ~vith me rusty iron bar,
which | had stumbled upon outside,
with which meant to break 10 the
door, could not open it in any 9th"
Ell way.
Feeling my way to the door, which
| tried aud found O. curely fastened,
placed my ear to the crevice and
listened intently. AT first heard
nothing, and then sound foil upon
my ear which / was sure was q
grosn.
Tom cried, through the crevice;
you are not dead, hopei'
Another groan, and then faint
voice said:
Not qnite; can't you get to me?
My only answer was blow against
tho door with that bar, another and
another / dealt npon it, till at last
the bolt was broken, the door swung
back, and rushed into the secret
chamber.
Tom, where are yon'' l cried.
Here, said a voice at my feet; and
reachiog down, | encountered the
face Of Tom, which, in another mo-
ment, should have put my foot on
Thank God that you are alive
Tom; bat are you much hurt' ] cried
searching for his hand, that ! might
give it friendly pressure.
Some, l am afraid; my bend don'I
feel just right yet. You must find
my hand there. The villains have
fastened them behind me, and my
legs are bound. too
The rascals! but they shall snffer
for this said, as with my pocket
knife set Tom free. and then help
ed him on his feet, where, for min.
ute he was unable to stapd alone, his
head was so dizzy.
Lead me out OF this room; The air
is sitting. Get me out beneath the
staiis and ! shall feel better.
Lean on me, end l will soon get
you there, Tom replied and,
half-supporting him, l led him ont
through the cellar, mp over the stairs,
through the kitchen, and so had him
out here the cool air could bathe
bis brow aud tripg him fairly 10
bimself again.
In little time he had, in meas =
ure, recovered his strength, and We
had set out for home.
Did you recognize any of them.
Tom ? I said as we went along.
No, not one he replied. 1T was
not light enough
why did they bind you hand aud
foot 7 Do you remember what they
said about il =
Yes, plainly. They tried to make
me take horrid oath that would
never reveal what / had discovered
La 4. ,