The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-13

A BAD LOCATION.

~ look Which was by no means attrac-
tiys and his wife, at the moment ook.
ing my dinner. had. as / thought, a
strange expression upon her oountenance
"a worn, terrified look, as though she
were constantly afraid OF something
Twice she seemed about 10 speak. but
closed her lips again as tho man sauntered
toward the door and at last j Droko tho
silence with the commonplace remark
that 10 was fine evening
Think so. strangerP' was all the an
sWer L received.
But after awhile she drew nearer to me
and said In low Aghisper;
"You don't know nothin' about these
partF, do your
No. said. "This is my first visit to
the West -
You get out of IN as fast as you can,
then, she said. II daresn't say no more.
only don't stay here longer you can
help"
And she glided away from me in ter
riiied manner, leaving mo in an exceed
ingly uncomfortable state of mind. / cast
my eye over the homeless landscape with
vague intention Of travelling on that
night. but was very weary, and certain
ly my possessions could he no temptation
To crime.
Accordingly ! walked in and requested
TO DO shown TO my room. Iho landlord
nodded and turned to light "A candle. and
in that moment the woman found time to
whisper in my ear:
"Don't leave your window open.
While i was awaiting the movements Of
my host the door opened and two stall
wait, III favored fellows marched in.
They nodded Co the landlord. and walk
ing up TO the bar called for drink.
picked up my knapsack and followed
my landlord IN moment more. and soon
fnnnH aalf N a larya nnQuFnpfa1
with an imme n 80 feather bed perched up
on "A tall. old-tashioned bedstead. a
Tiokety table with IA cracked ever and
basin upon 10 and one chair completing
the furniture
The window--I looked at that the mo-
ment / was lett alone-opened on long,
low shed, up which any one could easily
climb who desired TO obtain entrance,
and stood wide open.
| closed IL Mt once. and seeing jagged
nail upon the floor | contriyed TO fasten
il so that any one without would at least
have some trouble in opening IL, and hav-
inc bolted the door was about ~ retire
when heard low muImur Of voices in
the room below.
kneIt down, and applying nv ear to
an aperture in the uneven boards found
that / could catch most OF the words that
were uttered. The first startled me.
You've got your knife?"
The answer was. What the deuce do
you think OF my brainsY'
Whats the bourY'
Half past ii. -
The two young men were speaking 1
knew.
People are abed by that time mostly.
We don't want 20 be interrupted.
And then their voices sank into lower
tone and heard no more felt certain
that my life was in danger and that the
old woman hau attempted to warn Inc
out OF pity. probably Tor my youth
Escape would bo much better than re-
sistance il | could oontrive 10 elude the
vigilance " my enemies, but that was all
but impossible. The shod was in sight
of the bnTroom window. and the stairs
descended directly into the room.
Suddenly bright idea struck me. I
would open the window aud conceal my
self beneath tue feather bed. My enemies
would doubtless fancy that had escaped.
and so pursuing me or abandoning t.ieir
Pre- ject would give me time 70 eluuo
them. Obedient TO my new idea, i'm
mediately tucked myself aud my KNAPP
sack between the Immense straw and
feather beds and lay there with NY head
out, listening.
The hours dragged on slowly. The
suffering / endured under that heavy
weight in that hot August night can
never be forgotten.
| heard sudden movement below.
became confident that there were others
concerned besides those ] had already
seen. knocks came at the door below
voices and steps were heard Gnd soon |
became aware that there was "a general
stir ana departure. | awaited raid mon
my apartment with Il heating heart, but
10 my relief 4 soon heard the little band
Of men moving away from tho door, ana
gaining courage l arose and peeped from
my window,
About ten men, cach with n bag upon
his shoulder. were hurrying away from
the house. Among them | recognized in
the moonlight the Landlord and the two
perst n who had entered the barToom dur
ing my presence there.
As they might return, repentant Of their
mercy, ] went back TO my position be-
tween the beds and thore remained until
dawn, sometimes doing, sometimes start
ing awake, always suffering immense dis.
comfort.
AT last in the early morning ! heard a
rap ut my door. and the wuman's voice
called:
Breakfast stranger "
| descended 10 tto room below and
found a breakfast ready and only the
hostess present.
In the corner were several large water
melons, which ! was sure had not been
there on tho previous night. Ny landlady,
whom l rogal dcd as my presorvor, saw
me glance toward them. and as she
poured my coffee said:
'Ihey'F fine ones aren't tbcyg The
boys all ret hero last night for water
million stealth. It's considered nice
frollc in these parts and they left VI,
them. I'll cut one fur you. You did shet
your window, ! rope, strunGery"
Yes, " l said feeling that If She knew
all that ! had done could not bear tEC
ipqulring glance sha tent upon me-
Yes. Why did you tel, me TO do soy'
" Because felt pity for you. said the
woman. My old man has bought here
ana don't like the place run down But
fever and aRue is powerful bad noreabout,
ana right air Is almost sure TO give it tC
YOU. / shake the heft Of the time. Bat the
old mHn gays ruin the custom by tellin'
folks So Don't speak Of 10 10 him.
! Gid not. j diI not stay 20 speak 70 my
cne uui,r that ROOF. paid my reckoning.
thanked nv hostess ana hurried away,