The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-12-04

upon TAN, old fashioned bedsteao, a rick-
ETY. table with cracked ever ard basin
upon it and one chair completing the fur
niture.
The window looked ar that the mo-
ment was left aloIe-opSned on a long,
low shed, up which any one could easily
climb who desired to obtain entrance, and
stood wide open.
/ closed IL al once, and seeing Jagged
nail upon the floor I contriyed 10 fasten il
50 that any one without would ct least
have some trouble in opening il, and hav-
ing bOlted the door was about 10 retire
when / heard a low murnur OF voices in
the room below.
knelt down, and applying my ear to
an aperture in the uneven boards found
that l could catch most Of the words that
We're uttered The first startled me.
You've got your knifes'
The answer was, What the deuce 60
you think Of my brains,''
What's the hourE''
Half past IL. -
The TWO young men were speaking I
knew.
People are abed by that time mostly.
We don't want 70 be interrupted. .
And then their voices sank into n lower
tone. and heard no more. I felt certain
that my lie was in danger, and that tho
old woman had attempted 70 warn me out
of pity, probably for my youth.
Escape would be much better than To-
sistance if could contrive 90 elude the
vigilance Of my enemies. But that was
all but impossible. The shed was in sight
OF the baErOom window, and the stairs de-
sceDded directly into the room.
Suddenly bright idea struck me. I
would open the window and conceal my
self beneath the feather bed Ny enemies
would doubtless fancy that l had escaped,
and so pursuing me or abandoning their
project would give me time to elude them.
Obcdient 20 my new idea, ] Immediately
tucked myself and my knapsack between
the immense straw and feather beds and
lay there, with my head out, listening.
The hours dragged on slowly. The suf-
fering ! endured under that heavy weight
in that hot august night can never be
forgotten.
] heard q sudden movement below. /
became confident that there We're others
concerned besides those had seen already.
Knocks came ut the door below, voices
and steps were heard, and soon l became
aware that there was general stir and
departure.
| awaited a raid upon my apartment
with a beating heart, but 10 my relief I
soon heard the little band Of men moving
away from the door, and gaining courage
arose and peepCd from my window.
About ten men, each with bag upon
his shoulder, were hurrying away fro-a
the house Among them | recognized in
the moonlight the landlord and the two
persons who had entered the barrOom dur
ing my presence there.
As they might return repentant Of their
mercy, went back TO my position between
the beds and there rcpained until dawn
sometimes doing, sometimes starting
awake, always suffering immense discOm-
fort
At last in the early morning heard n
rap ut my door, and the woman s voice
called:
Breakfast stranger
l descended 10 the room below and
found a breakfast ready and only the host
ess present
In the corner were several large water
melons, which / was sure had not been
there on the previous night My land
lady, whom ! regarded as my prcsorver,
saw me glance toward them, and rs she
poured my coffee said;
They r. fine ones, aron't they;" she
said. The boys all met here last night
for a watermilliOn stealth. It's considered
a nice frolic in these parts, and they left
Us them. Ill cut one fur you. You did
shet your window, l hope stranger
Yes" i said, feeling that il she know
all that had done ] could not bear tho
inquiring glance she bent upon me. Yes.
Why did you tell me To do SOP"
Because felt pity for you" said tho
woman. My old man has bought here
and don't like the place run down. But
fever and ague * powerful had here
abouts, and night air is almost sure 10
give II to you. shHke the heft of the time.
But the old man says ! ruin the custom
by tcllin folks so. Don't speak OF it 10
him.
did not. did not STAY 70 speak 20
any one under that roof ! paid my reck-
Cning, thanked my hostess and hurried
away, feeling terribly ashamed OF myself
Boston Globe.