The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-13

ed, was asleep on the floor, made him
Jump III and lie down close to me, and
'hen pulled the blankets over us both. |
quickly dropped into half sleep. A
movement from the other creaky bed
awakened mo. l opened my eyes, and
by tho dull snow light which struggled
through the single window could see the
outlines of the man in the other bed. and
he was sitting up.
In an instant l was on the alert but
made no movement. He leaned forward
end seemed to listen. Then he dropped
down again In about five minutes he
once more raised himself and for n time
was motionless. Then ono leg was put
outside the cover; then the other, and he
stood erect. With the utmost caution he
invested his long legs in their proper
garments, and then gathering up his 9TH
er clothing and boots in his arms he
stole quietly as robber out of the room.
heard him descend the stairs and
knock lightly on the door of the land
lords chamber. Several times he knocked.
Then the doors opened, and could hear
the dull muttering of the big German.
tho shrill whispers of woman, and ear
nest though low tones, which must be
those of the stranger. Then the two
men went down into the barroom. and
decided that 1 was Sin for it," I crept
out OF bed and went to the door-no
lock or catch was there l looked for
something to brace against it. Nothing
could be found. One of the two chairs
had only three legs, and neither had any
back. was caught in a trap.
had fought my way through every
grade from private to captain in the
held, and done every line of duty from
picket TO pitched battle, but never had
such trying hours as passed in that
ped. could recognize the shuffling of
stocking shod feet on the first floor and
could hear steady conversation for
about 10 minutes. Then all was quiet
for time. Next heard u heavy, but
cautious tread, ascending to the land
lords room, and the woman's whispers
were renewed
The garnet room door was opened inst
Il crack. There fastened my gaze To
that point directed the barrels of NV
pistols. heard the stairs creak and the
wind howl
! watched and waited and finally |
fell asleep When L. awoke, Mac was
licking my face and broad daylight was
streaming through the window. lily
pistols lay where they had fallen from
my hands. felt in my pockets There
was my money all right. Quickly l
made my way down stairs. In the bar
room, which seemed rather COY by
morning view, was the host, who now
looked an honest, sturdy fellow. Can
have breakfast for myself and dog?"
well, guess SO; after bit"
And all the time he was eying mo
most cnriously. took seat by the hot
stove. He came and ratified it II little
with the poker, and at last said:
Say, vat nit dat other Teller Won do
lasht night dot you so moch him skeery"
dol" said l. 81 didn't do anything.
and as to 'skeer' I'll bet q horse he
wasn't half as much 'skeered' rs was
the laundering big border ruffianr
by shimminy dot good ono was.
He comes down all NIT der drimbils und
wakes my wife, und she myself wakes,
ind he say to me, 'Wot fer you sent to
mine petroom op dot Teller NIT vite
mask his face on, unit two pishtols unit
dot pig ploothoun dog? l SHAY not der
room in init no such ploothoun unit muir
term cudtrote.' l hat de shairs in dc
kitchen for him fix, mt he at de day-
light leaf mitout his breakfast what for
he der last night paid"
In spite of its very tame, though de-
cidedly satisfactory ending, that was as
trying night as ever l passed in my
life.-Romance