Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1889-12-27
THE DEATH TRAP.
BY LUCY NJ. HOOPER.

set in that froze as it fell, and COW
cred the whole of the vast city with
a sheet of ice as smooth as n mirror
on which neither man or beast could
stand erect nor walk with safety.
The festivities of the season had
called a great many persons from
their homes on that evening, and the
miseries of those who found them
selves forced to traverse distances
without the aid OF a conveyance can
readily be imagined, for the cabmen
all struck work and went home.
Ladies in evening dress, white slip
pers and opera cloaks were to be seen
clinging to ratings and lamp posts,
and weeping in very helplessness of
terror, unable to stir step. Horses
lay moaning with fractured limbs on
the CLASSY roadway, and men slip
ped and tottered and fell, some re-
ceiving injuries from which they never
recovered.
l had been dining with an old
college friend. 1t had been bache-
Tor party, and merry one; and
it was past II O'Clock when we
broke up. Of course there was a
shout of dismay from the whole party,
some dozen in all, when we discov-
cred the condition of the street; but
there was no help for us. We could
not all go back to quarter ourselves
on our host in his small, bachelor
lodgings, and so we set off on our
different ways. TO make matters
worse our host lived on the left hand
OF the Seine, not far from the Luxem-
bourg Gardens, SO that most OF us
were at an interminable distance
from home. myself was stopping
ut the Hotel de France. on the Rue
ST. Honore, three miles off.
One other of the party had to go
there also. He was handsome
young fellow from the provinces,
named Gustav Veronge, who had,
as heard from another OF the guests,
lately inherited good deal of mon
ey, and has comeup to Paris to see
life. | could hardly claim him even
rs an acquaintance, for we had met
that evening for the first time. As
we went out into the street, he ask
ed to what quarter of Paris | was
going; and on learning my destina-
ton, cried:
"Well, Pm going a stones throw
from there, so come, and we will walk
together"
He was not only in full evening
dress like the rest OF us but in u
very elaborate one. His low, open
vest showed shirt front of
fabulous fneness, whereon gilt
tered three diamond studs, each
stone OF no inconsiderable size, and
of the purest water. Four buttons,
also OF diamonds, closed his vest, and
he wore on the little finger of his left
hand handsome solitaire.
thought all this rather bad taste;
but he seemed like q thoroughly
good fellow, and his manners were
certainly very interesting. We got
along pretty well for about half an
hour, slipping and sliding and stumb-
ling about, and then falling. At last
my companion slipped and fell again,
and when he strove to rise, sank
back, uttering a stiffled groan.
Have you hurt YOURSELF"
asked, anxiously, assisting him to
rise.
He fell back with another groan.
81 fear that my knee isinjured, he
said. II can hardly stand"
With difficulty got him at last on
his feet. But every step he took gave
him pain. OF course | could not go
off and leave him alone. Meantime,
not human being was in sight.
"Where are WEI" he asked, family.
l made my way to the nearest
corner, and read the name of the
street.
"The Rue de Rislay," l replied,
coming back.
Il have not the least idea where
We are" he said. 81 never heard OF
that street"
By this time l was feeling pretty
well exhausted. l began to be thor
oughly discouraged.
Our best PLAN" | said, sis to
look fer some hotel where we can
pass the night. 1t is of no use try
ing to go any farther. There is not
n vehicle of any sort to be had"
You are right. But where can
we find u hotel?"
AS he spoke, man in blouse,
with pipe in his mouth, swung him
self under the shadow of an archway
near by.
IF these gentlemen wish, | can
show them hotel close by" he said
in civil tone.
$40 SO, and We will give you five
francs for your palms." cried Yer
onge, impulsively. I'VE are strangers
in Paris, you see, and | have not an
idea which way to turn"
"Ah, monsieur is a stranger in
Paris? Will monsieur lean on me?
The hotel is not far off-not five steps
distant, in fact"
1t was very near. a little farther,
in truth, than our officious friend
had stated, but still just around the
nearest corner.