The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-09-05

quickly grasped the body In my arms.
and, lifting 1t from the rude shell, bore
my CHASTITY burden to the adjoining
ROOM where I laid it under the blanket
that had been given to me.
"Then I returned and commenced
operations, every moment fearing to be
overheard.
II took the candles off the nails in
which they were stuck. and, turning
over the coffin lid. fastened in several
long screws. being careful they did not
come through Then tying some strings
round them / made a handle, about
where my hands would be when lying
within. 1t only took a few minutes to
fill up the old screw holes with tallow,
and rub the tops with dust. to make a
very fair resemblance to the heads of
the screws. which had gone. Hastily
replacing the candles on the nails. and
the lid over the lower portion Of the
coffin, I crept in, and with my string
handles drew it over me, holding 1t
down firmly.
MY first feeling was one of suffoca-
tion. so unbearable that my scheme al
ready seemed impossible. Should I
have time to make an air-hole?'
thought. and would 1t be safe IL did?'
l resolved to try, and pushing my lid
down. reached large gimlet. with
which bored some holes at he side.
"a tramDing of feet, and T dropped
the tool, drawing the lid to it's proper
place.
"As the door latch turned. my heart
hno ;nln 10 ~ %
with all my might / clung to the
lid, the muscles of my arms swelling,
my teeth clenched, my breath coming
quick and fast.
THAT was the most agoniZing mo-
ment in my life. as / waited in dread
suspense. all the vitality in my veins
frozen with horror.
THE sound of a low monotonous voice
broke In my ear. The words brought
the reality of my awful position vividly
before me. The priest was blessing
this mockery of death! AS he ceased.
the soldiers went TO the door of the ad-
joining room. Would they discover the
exchange? I heard it open and shut
again; they We're evidently satisfied /
was asleep under my blanket. The
coffin was raised; still clung to the lid,
fearing 1t would slip. but my grasp was
SO tight that the only risk was in the
string breaking.
my feelings can be imagined. as they
carried me out on their shoulders, these
strong men who were prepared to shoot
me down like dog at daybreak.
II knew only too well what a wild
n n t,o N.n
seemed at any other time. But despera-
tion and acute emergency will drive one
to any lengths, and had seen so much
of the superstition of these people.
$50 / clung to my wretched thread of
hope, and prayed as never did before!
did not know where was being taken,
but judging from the time it was out of
the camp.
THE formula of this military night
funeral was familiar to me. should be
set down at the side of the grave on the
ropes that would lift and lower me while
the priest sprinkled some more holy
water. Then the firing party would fire
and the earth be shoveled in.
Before the steady march ceased I
raised my lid slightly to get a good
breath of fresh air. Then an abrupt
halt, and I was deposited with rather
jerky motions on the ground.
'"rhe crucial moment had arrived
when dash for freedom, life and air,
should save or end my existence! My
last chance, q final entreaty to the pow
ers above, a bracing of the nerves. reso-
luton, and then
II gripped my string handles tighter,
ard with one mighty effort dashed up
the lid, shrieking wildly in Spanish: 10
soy espirtu del su jefe, Escario!' Il am
the spirit of your leader Escarlo.)
'The lid struck the men violently who
stood beside the coffin, and strong SOL
diers as they were, for whom bullets had