Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-30

low.
sHelp, help" he cried, franticaIly, as
he found himself being hurried into a
trot.
The two confederates came running up
at the sound Of his voice.
''Stuf his respiration into his mouth,
Mike" said the tall man, s'and tie his
nUffsr over it, or he'll rouse the whole
neighborhood."
This was quickly done, in spite OF Mr.
TidyWaite's resistance, and the unfortu-
nate special found himself again dragged
of behind his prisoner, while each of the
| accomplices held one of his arms.
There vas just one hope, he thought,
OF escape. he vas being marched toward
Baker strees, where he knew that other
special constables were on duty. The
idea, however, seemed 60 strike the con-
spiratOrs as soon as himself, for, at a
word from the tall man, one of the men
presently took the key Of the handouts
from TidyWaite's pocket, and in another
moment the special himself was hand
cufed, while the tall man took possession
of the truncheon, and transferred the
eonstable's armlet to his own arm. No
sooner Was this done than they met q
pair u > 6G4d4S S4 UIS1I OEttbs
'It's all right" said the tall man, in
answer to question from one of tbs con-
stables. Gle was drunk and dis0rderIy,
and assaulted this gentleman here. But
we've got him safe enough now" Poor
Mr.. Tidywaite was just trying TO explain
matters when he was hurr:edly carried on
by his captors, and not allowed to again
stop until the party arrived at a dingy.
looking house in the neighborhood of
High street, Marylbone, where the pris-
Oner was conducted to large room,
scantily fl :nist ed il the upper part of
the house.
A very few minutes observation salts
fed the terrified banker that he was in q
nest Of conspirators of a dark and ma
Ijgnant character. To begin with, his
three Companions as they entered the
house one and all assumed black masks.
They exchanged remarks, too, in a Ian
guege which Mr.. Tidywaite had never
heard before, and addressed one another
by numbers instead Of rames. . The
prisoner was hidden to sit down at one
end of the room. His pockets were turn
ed out, and his stock Of provisions were
distributed among the gang, who digpos-
ed Of them, excepting the cough lOzenges
with evident relish. Then, on his solemn
Iy swearing neither to move nor speak,
the handeugs we're removed, and an indi-
vidual known apparently as Number
Seven" took up his pest beside him, pis-
tOl in hand. In the course Of half an
hour, two or three other desperaGOes, all
masked and armed, dropped in and took
their seats st at a table ab the other end
OF the room. When half a dozen we're
thus assembled, "Number seven" at q
word from the tall man, led the prisoner
into a small room adjoining. ''The
Council are going to consider your case"
said Number seven. "Ye'n know your sin
thence in the course of half an hour. In
the meantime keep quiet, or ye're dead
man"
Gone moment,' whispered the banker,
SIS his jaiIer was about 60 lsave the room.
"Y0u can not object to tell me who you
are and where I am
E'Sure ye can guess?"
81 may be wrong; let me know the
worst
EYe'ra just in the hands of the Clan ma
Gael, and the giptlemen TO whom we've
been inthroiuiced are the Executive Coun-
Gil Of the London Division-more power
TO thenl" And with that Number Seven
hastily retired.
Heavens, what situation! The bank
er's head reeied, he wiped the prespira-
ton from his brow. Presently he looked
around the room, but il contained no
window, nor any hope of escape or sue
cor. For half an hour or more he re-
maiued there listening to the voices in
the next room, at the end of which time
ne was reduced into the last stage CT
mental and bodily prostration. Then
Number Seven returned, revolver in hand,
and led him into the presence of the
Council, who were seated around a table,
all masked.
Joseph Tidywaite," said the chairman,
whom the banker at once recognized as
the tall man whom he captured IN the
| square, ''you have been charged with be-
ing an inimy Of Oirland, and with thwart-
ing an important operation OF the
| Provisional Government. The Council
have considered your case and your sim
thence is-Death by the Third PROCESS"
The wrecked man essaTed 10 speak,
terror tied his tongue, and he ciang TO
! Number Seven to save himself from fall
| ing.
THE council have, however, murceful-
| ly attached a provision TO the sinthence,"
pursued the Chairman. "Your life will be
| spared on condition Of your taking the
oath of fidelity TO the Oirish Republic.
| Ye will have five minutes TO make your
election. Sivep, give the prisoner q
chair"
| At the expiration of five minutes, Mr..
| Tidywaite made the choice that might
have been expected, and took the oath of
fidelity to the Irish Republic, in tie fol-
| lowing terms:
81, Joseph Tidywaite, hereby soiennly
renounce all allegiance to the Queen Of
| Great Britain, her heirs end successors
and declare myself a true and loyal sub
| ject of the Irish Republic, TO the Ezecu-
| tive Government of which for the time
being | sWare nenceforward to render
with body and soul unconditional obidei-
ence, for good or evil, for life or death.
| So help me God.''
It was nearly fortnight before the
doctors allowed Mr.. Tidywaite to leave
his bed, but as soon IS he was able TO get
about again the Old gentlemen sent for
Edward OBrien. On the young mans
arrival he at once narrated the story Of
his terrible experiences.
II sent for you, Edward" he said at
the conclusion of the recital, sin the hope
that you might have influence with some
Of your Irish friends which would help
me out Of my horrible position. Think
of it, Edward! Think of me sworn body
and soul to the service of reasonable
cons piracy! How can I, as an honest
citizen, evade my duty TO disclose the
whole business to the Government"
"Gooa Cod" exclaimed O'Briep. "How
can you talk Of such a thing? Do you
snOw what 1t means? Remember James
Ca-eym