News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1895-01-24
thought I could get board with you for

a day or So
"'Jim's friends are mine, he said, !
with sidelong glance. Come on
"This was much easier than had ex-
pected. Jerry, or Ole Hoss, was none
other than the man l was after.
Gas we emerged from the wood into
the clearing lank, slabsided specimen
of humanity approached. He was about
to speak to Jerry when his eyes fell upon
me, and be suddenly turned away
There was something familiar in his
features, but could not plSce him.
"Olo Hoss passed on, and l followed
him into his cabin. 1t was small affair
witt, :wo rooms.
One we uns lives in, he explained,
an the wimmen sleeps in t'other.
"'Where do the men sleep" I in
CURED.
"'Oh, wo uns hunks down thar is
Their corner.
1.-THE 'wimmen folks retired early
that night, and l sought rest ca blan-
ket that had evidently seen several sum-
mers and innumerable hard frosts. l
was very tired, and though intended
to rise when all was quiet and take a
view Of the premises fell asleep.
81 was awakened by the pressure of
something cold against my forehead,
and opening my eyes looked into the
muzzle of a revolver, while the voice Of
my host said:
"'Ef you I'm moves a hand, off goes
yer topknotp
"What does this mean?' demanded
in my sternest tones.
"'It means that we uns are onter
you un. That's all
Several other figures now stood over
my couch, and my genial host said:
"Waal. shall we uns finish him now
or wait.
Let's take him outside, one sug-
gested.
"After they had bound me hand and
foot was carried into the open air. A
short consultation was held, and l caught
| the words, down ter the hut.
Nav, said one brawiS fellow, he
amt bad ez that. Besides Pete may be
mistaken.
His objections were received with
murmurs of disapproval.
1t amt too much, asserted my
host. It's jest what he deserves, and
it'll prove an example to the others.
'There was some more discussion
Then l was informed that on my arrival
Pete Sanford, member of the gang,
whose still l had aided in destroying
some time previously, but who had es
capped from the officers, had recognized
me as detective who had come under
the guise of friendship to land them all
in prison, and that l was to be left in
the hut.
"This failed to strike terror to my
soul, however, as I supposed they would
merely leave me there overnight, and
should then have possible chance of
escape. Had | known the true nature of
my punishment would have begged my
captors to mercifully put a bullet
through my brain.
''They carried me to the hut and one
of the men carefully opened the door
and peered ill., He took a torch and thor
oughly inspected every nook before en-
tering. Finally, bound hand and foot,
was laid on pile of husks in one cor
ner Then the men departed without
even closing the door. l was highly
elated at this oversight anG lay en-
deavOring to muster strength to break
my bonds when l heard a rustling,
gliding sound in one corner of the room.
Could it be that some other human
creature was imprisoned with me? No,
it must be the wind outside. Then from
the long, dark opening used as a fire
place came a similar sound, another
and another What was it? What could
this mean?
Suddenly l felt something glide
across my legs as they lay bound on the
foot of the bed, and the awful horror of
the situation that my prosecutors had
devised dawned on me. / was in a den
of snakes. If l moved, was a dead
man. Sick with terror, l became I'M
conscious.
81 awoke lying beside the road Tho
moon was shining full i'll my face, and
bending over me was tho girl had
met III the afternoon.
I" 'Twar clus call for you un, SIC
said L heered pap'n the fellers a-talllin
ez haeow they left yer here, an when
got or chance | come to you un.
How did you do it?' gasped
Huh? I'm used to snakes, but
but
The girl began to sob.
" What is it?' l asked, moved b.
her distress.
" II dassent 60 hum, fur dad will
kill me.
CHATS how my hair got white, y
said the major.
But tho girl?" said l.
ooh, she is i'll the next room with
the children She's my wife. Eek.
charge.
1,N,v. ,.f;,,f H.