Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-03-26
TRAPPED,
UxwELCOME VISITORS.

1t was lucky day for me when I obtain
ed position as janitress of large apart
ment house, because we had nice rOOmi
rent free, the work was light, and my moth
er was not compelled to take in sewing al
she once did.
Mother was out one night visiting soms
friends and was jzst setting tho tea table
when the bell rang. l pulled the door
opener and then stepped into the hall, ex
pectipg, of course, that it was my mother
Two men had entered and closed the hal
door.
"Gentlemen, whom do you wish TO see?'
asked them.
"We don't want to see any one," sale
one of the men, and, stepping toward me-
they pushed me back into the room I ha(
lust left and locked the door.
I readily OWNED that they were thieves
who, knowing that was alone in the house
had entered for the purpose of robbing it
Absurd ideas flashed through my mint
about how I should escape and alarm tht
neighborhood; but all were impracticable
and, in fact, ere could move or scream
one of the ruffiaps had stepped forward aul
grasped my wrists.
"Come, Jack" said he, turning to hi
ompanion, 'we'll have to tie up this young
lady, or she'll give US trouble"
Suiting the action to the word, they pro
ceeded 10 tie me up in the most scientifi,
manner. They first tied my hands behinc
me, and then, after placing me in a chair
tied my feet toe other, passing the spare
cord securely around the rungs of the cha air
"Now lady," said the man addressed a.
Jack, "will you promise not to scream, o.
must gag you?" exhibiting an improviset
gag in the shape of thick wad Of cottol
and a baudage as bs spoke.
The sight of this was sufficient. Over
come by terror, promised to keep dis
erect silence.
"Now, please tell me where the dumb
waiter is, and we will rot trouble you an,
further, said the first speaker.
accordingly direeted them to the kitch
en-, through which passed the large dumb
waiter, or elevator used for convey ing coal
wood, groceries and the like to each success
sive kitchen from the basement clear up t,
the roof.
Inow knew that they intended to get OF
the dumb waiter an draw themselves up
system atically ranslcking floor after foo
and lowering their plumber to the cellar
This effected without interruption, their es
cape with their booty would be compare
lively easy matter.
heard them get into the elevator boz
and begin to pull themselves slowly up, ant
then quickly determined what to do. b.
a great effort drew myself on my feet an(
succeeded in placing the cords binding my
hands over the lamp that We used to read by
The flame burnt my hands cruelty, and
nearly tainted with the terrible pain, but
did not allow a moan TO escape me, for fear
of alarming the villains to the Illustration
of my plan.
1t was not more than minute before my
hands were free, although to me it seemed
ages, and my burnt flesh was peelng off IL
great pieces dropped back in my chair
and for a moment sat there completely
stunned with pain and gasping for breath
Recovering, soon freed myself from the
chair and united my feet. Then l rar
lightly to the elevator shaft and peere ur
through the darkness toward the roof The
thieves had light with them, and saw by
it's glow that they vere nearly to the kitch,
en- door of the uppermost floor. l reached
in and caught the rope by which they were
pulling themselves up, and with quick
hard jerk I had it thoroughly secured by
the iron clamp placed at each opening fol
the purpose.
This clamp was different from those il
most elevators. Generally they are smooth
but this had two sharp rows of teeth, anG
when the rope was firmly gripped between
them it was impossible to loosen 1t without
opening the clamp; so you will see how
completely had trapped my robbers, hang
ing as they did between two floors.
l did not wait to hear the horrible CURSE
that they gave vent to upon discovering
their position, but hastened to get out of th,
house and summon help. I succeeded il
reaching the from steps and there faintet
away in the arms of a gentleman who wal
just entering.
When l recovered found myself on
lounge in the young physician's Office. will
my hands neatly bandaged, and feelin,
quite comfortable from some soothing ap
plication.
Mother was there also, bathing my heat
and face, and nearly frightened out of hel
senses at the peril had undergone.
1t seemed that mother had grown tiret
of seeing the procession, had left her friend
to come home, ard had arrived just in tim,
to see me fall into the Doctors arms as b,
was entering the house. At his suggestion
she had examined toe rooms to learn tn
cause of my fright, and upon hearing threat
and curses issuing from the elevator, ha'
at once understood the situation and sum
moned the police.
The robbers wero promptly taken int
custody, and were subsequently tried, con
victed and sentenced to long terms in Stat
prison.
OF course was made great heroine, bu
| still do not think did any more than m
duty in protecting the property of which
was in charge.
This all happened several years ago.
have since become the wife of the phys
clan, and reside 10 the same fiat, although
I0no the -