The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-01-22

made certain that /, too, should die
that night, But my time was not yet
come.
Tn consequence Of the lateness Of
the hour was taken to the town prls-
on, dismal building, which | had
never known to be occupied. There !
was thrust into a deep dungeon, and
left in total darkness till the morning,
when | doubted not ! should be con-
Quoted to the same cruel fate as my
poor relatives had met. But morning
came, as | had guessed by the sound
without, and still no summons. Worn
out with suspense ard waiting, fell
asleep. When | awoke hunger and
thirst oppressed me. Happily had
stored some bread and meat and a
small bottle Of wine in one Of the pock-
cts Of my coat preparatory TO my in
tended fight. OF this / now ate and
drank. No one came nigh me, and
yet | could hear sounds as if wretched
prisoners were being led forth out of
neighboring cells, doubtless to death;
for they wept and pleaded yainly as it
seemed to me.
bat the third day great stiffness
fell on the prison. | could not under
stand it; my senses were enfeebled for
want Of food, for my small stock had
long been exhausted, and almost
lacked strength to wonder why | was
lett TO live so long. Presently arose
an awful terror, lest this should be
my sentence, to perish ntiserably for
want Of food in this damp dungeon.
Death on the seaffold appeared light
by comparison. clamored at my
prison door. | shouted as loudly as !
eould-all TO no purpose. Then |
burst into an agony Of tears, my fate
was too terrible to bear. With the
soft nature Of my youth pitied and
bemoaned myself sorely. All at once
words came into my mind that | had
learned years ago as a text in the
school, Fear thou not for | am with
thee be not dismayed, for | am thy
Cod
They came like a ray Of light into
my prison, and chung to the promise
as if it had that moment been made to
me by plying God. | felt soothed
and hopeful, and in this condition
sank back in doze or swoon.
How time passed | could not tell
day and night to me were alike in my
cell. | woke up to find light and
warmth and kinkly faces about me.
Slowly regained consciousness enough
to understand what they told me. |
had lain five days forgotten, the still
ness had noted the third day was ac-
counted 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 fled, and the old
mayor, resuming power, had ordered
the prison doors to be set open. |, in
my solitary cell, had been forgotten,
md but that some one had been sent
20 examine all the cells and collect the
'etters used therein, | might have
'erished most miserably. AS it was,
vas carried out perfectly senseless
md brought to life with some diff
:ulty.
s. am safe now, as you see. com
AIDES, IN my own country, but the
,nguish of those few days will never
,e forgotten. | bear about with me
n my face the remembrance of it.
Daily | thank God for light and air
md food, and yet these good gifts of
lis fail to make my heart rejoice
still those dreadful days in the dun
geon have given me firm reliance on
lis mercy, and | know that | shall one
lay be joyful again in the city of which
he gates are never shut and where
here is no darkness. New York Ad-
1ertiSer,