Arizona republican., 1892-01-06


 tho street, straight to the market place l could not follow. What happened there was told me later
 Wild with agony at her husband's fate, my gentle, loving aunt had burst into flood of reproach of his murder. In these days this was crime enough for the heaviest punishment, and before evening she had fared the same fate as py uncle.
 The Reign of Terror had indeed begun with us. The girls had fled, terrified at the fate which had befallen their pro- tectors, and was meditating in half stupeied way the same measure. when n knock came at the door, and two men, who had often eaten and drunk at my uncles table, came in and made me a prisoner, coniiscating all the possessions of the family to the state.
 ''ln those days a mans foes were often they of his own household. offered no resistance; the shock of the day had completely unnamed me. made cer- tain that l, too, should die that night But my time was not yet come.
 "ln consequence of the lateness of the hour was taken to the town prison, a dismal building, which l had never known to be occupied. There I was thrust into a deep dungeon, and left in total darkness till the morning, when l doubted not 1 should be conducted to the same cruel fate as my poor relatives had met. But morning came, as I had guessed by the sound without, and still no summons. Worn out with suspense and waiting, fell asleep. When awoke hunger and thirst oppressed me. Happily l had stored some bread and meat and a small bottle of wine in one of the pockets of my coat preparatory to my intended flight. Of this I now ate and drank. No one came nigh me, and yet l could hear sounds as if wretched prisoners were being led forth out of neighboring cells, doubtless to death; for they wept and pleaded vainly as it seemed to me.
 "But the third day great stiffness fell on the prison. could not understand it; my senses were onfeebled for want of food, for my small stock had long been exhausted and l almost lacked strength to wonder why was left to live so long. Presently arose an awful terror, lest this should be my sentence, to perish miserably for want of food in this damp dungeon. Death on the scaf- fold appeared light by comparison. l clamored at my prison door. l shouted as loudly as l could-all to no purpose. Then burst into an agony of tears; my fate was too dreadful to bear. With the soft nature of my youth pitied and be- moaned myself sorely. All at once words came into my mind that I had learned years ago as a text in the school, Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for am thy God
 "They came like a ray of light into my prison, and clung to the promise as if it had that moment been made to me by pitying God ] felt soothed and hopeful, and in this condition l sank backin a dcze or swoon.
 "How time passed l could not tell: day and night to me were alike in my cell. woke up to find light and warmth and kindly faces about me. Slowly l regGined consciousness enough to under stand what they told me. had lain five days forgotten, the stiffness l had noted the third day was accounted for by the fact that the news had just reached our town of the death of one of the greatest leaders of the revolution. and the consequent decline of the party, In fear of his life, our terrorist mayor had fed, and the old mayor, resuming power, had ordered the prison doors to be set open. l, in my solitary cell, had been forgotten, and but that some one had been sent to examine all the cells and collect the letters used therein, ] might have perished most miserably. As it was, was carried out perfectly and brought to life with some difficulty.
 ''l am safe now, as you see, comrades. in my own country, but the anguish of those few days will never be forgotten I bear about with me in my face the re- membrance of it. Daily I thank God for light and air and food, and yet these good gifts of his fail to make my heart rejoice. Still those dreadful days in the dungeon have given me a firm reliance on his mercy, and know that I shall one day be joyful again in the city of which the gates are never shut and where there is no darkness" ."-New York