The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-02
THE TWO DOORS.
A Tale of an Escape from New
York in 1878.
By ROSS.

New York. II seems he was taken on n foraRtnR
%e,redition in Westchcstcr. The capture OF him
,elf and his comrades, this Mordaunt states par
trularly, was his own fault. His escape was
little less than remarkable. and I will leave him
IN s,ntc 1t In his own words. Tho narrative, you
will notice, begins rather abruptly:
Tho little town OF gabled roofs broke at last on
nv wcaricd sense. as tho guard troops brought
ne in. like n scene in n play l had once seen in
pbilndclphia-as IL l should turn from 1t to q
town of the Canadns, though this was all unlike;
nDutch town. indeed, with marks put on 1t OF q
long English occupation. as we fell among the
Kings relocated soldiery.
WANTED. weary as l was, to say q word to my
moor comrades. but l was not permitted It.; and
| accused myself. whose sorry rashncss-for I
bai urged the cxpcdition-had brought them to
this plight Of prisoners Of war. But I had no
chance then, nor later.
As for myself, l was taken into q building
which proved an improviscd Jail. where I was
mt in a comfortable room, the circumstances
being considered, where ut once I foil to sleep.
lido not know how long I slept. when I was
Weakened by sunshine streaming through a
barred window and ~insistcnt tonos in my cara.
A scrgcant stood there. directing a man with
MY breakfast. l ate heartily. forgetting all my
misfortune.
And this was the beginning Of many days.
AT last one day. long past sunset, I heard a
considerable commotion outside. My barred
window showed nothing against the gathering
dusk, though looking out INTO a street-it was a
little Side street.
But the commotion continued. presently
herd steps IN inc corriaor ana tn" ooits drawn.
when III! Jaiier sergeant appeared with Two
soldiers supporting a young man III q L'euten-
ants uniform from whose pale face l saw at
once that he was drunk.
"The house is filled, and we shall have TO put
him In with you. the sergeant SAID the others
supporting MN 10 the oeu. where nc sank down.
Why don't L hear from sir henry Clinton =
lasXed hkea peeVish iooi' us II the sergeant
should know. - expect a parole, at least
He shrugged his shoulders and went out and
closet the Goor' anu hcaru the iao!hs iootaiis.
WIZ. indeed. wasn't some action taken in my
easel l had been now a prisoner near n week.
The fellow on the bed broathed heavily. He
wor" the uniform OF n line regiment, ana had a
young. gentle face, rather worn with dissipa-
ton. lido not know to this day what caused tho
street noises preceding his appearance. Watch
ing his hard breathing, suddenly wished that l
had his UNIFORM though dlu not think why.
Inc lhousnt was ike an INSPIRATION. TOT what
1.-THE door had been lett unooltedf VI course 1t
were impossiolei 1t should nave been. Ana yet 1
bad not heard the raspins OF the ooit against ite
socket. Ana l trlcu IT, VIII you DelleVe me,
e't "OoA u e A'o
The coEricor.
Quickly closed 1t and went BACK to the hard
BREATHING hsure on the bed.
For Il moment in the hickering light had lit
ny caud,e-I watched his face. which reminded
mcof my own. Finally. having the courage OF
nv purpose, shook him roughly. but he did not
Dmuch as stir. so began to pun on his coat,
his stock. his waistcoGt. Still he was uncon'
sc!ons, til! he started me by opening his eyes.
"WhatT he asked, huskiiy. Ana then ne
ro.c' over on his side in stupor, leaving Inc the
po7scsor OF tho UNIFORM. Inc color or my
brctaLs5 would not bu observed, decided; and
Ibsa on his waistcont, coat and stock. saw
that some regimental disorder had been In the
town. necessitating tho use Of my Jail as a
guardhouse.
Now went to the door and opened It. ana
was in the dusEy corridor. Down its length 1
tintnad M one hinderinp md then I was Mt an
y
outer door.
opening the door. Tho fresh air struck my face
.pS . s,aonr so,,inn, musre, IN shnu,dor
turned about. staring. 1 did not hesitate but,
mmmoninc all my snngfroid. closed the door, as
hmy appearance were of course.
I'm report you for II sleepy knave," I said.
facing him, II my voice were strange he did not
no'ee H. out oh'y saluIca 10 Il Nj were II mat
ter of course.
i" ! account '"F nat lax "isoip.'no nov. VI
Ashpposc nc Thought inc some otlcer, ana my
authoritative word lhL not leave him the sense
TO incuire. At l.na, he lot me mass IN. and 7
nI"', ~ -, =. " w r"'' ~ ~
t"'het' "''h'at t"fthcr word into n little de-
Sertci street.
Iam To. kaoy wbs. I ,oy sho,ld ao, Pros.
sr,,. 49,, -o 49,. -.
en- NO. me- saw one coming with n
ew.:.G:rs !~ante:t.-a short, squat figure a. 4 man.
Ittar;a. 20 urr bs.k hut ,,, aorire ken. m.
As, -. :, - wv ."e,
50" .t't'''"." i i!'!,i n!se!l Greet. ana SO
pa - !a.o Inc .Sa."-n light, which f.ickered,
for the riyLt was .usty, New YORK; being ex.
,r,a.S 49, ""
e.. Q = ~ o.GSN 20 sttc'cheJ OF "!r,. ne, IL
T 81 r ~, t."t'. i4r ne 50" M one 10
III, ~ no; ti'' 4ori dld not Know where.
IL o.'it: 81; /,
.t;"i': h;nfsaur., ,
St2I, slii he. Come, turn back You
vi frt twf5!
h'T.riei t1r a mol'ont, looked up and
H. t." - ~ "" VIM .Eoaael u chorus 70 my
bro,, X; mha yct. aitrr 4 "enk IN a cell, u
torf ~ T. !. swtethess OF treoio'n. IL sang Ina
~ ~ II ears, u put my pulse 10 beating. inc
tns ~ snSIih n2t present itsSlf In ynin said l
MnoeFe: nc might be. T%as a question. at tho