Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1899-11-29
MY ESCAPE
A Case of Mild, Mild Eocsnt;lcity.

"A V6Ss VI Hiliu, hiiu IV0oht'iSWJ a
oN@~~ S~~~~~~~o o
'sT suppose am ecceutric," said
Dick Clayering ''at least they tell me
SO; at any rate there is story anent
that, if you care to hear.
Go on, go on" was the unani-
= NOUS vote.
Dick settled himself comfortably
that is to say, threw himself back in
!, his chair, with one leg over the back
sef another.
.It was queer thing to do" he
began.
.eWhat was?'
. 1.-THE will he made" said Dick;
@but suppose he was eccentric, too. {"
"You forget that you haven't yet in
roduced the gentleman" one of us
reminded.
"Well, I can't say know MIN my
self" returned Dick. though I was a
distant relation; he had none but dis
tant relations, in fact, of whom I was
the most distant. It was for that
reason, perhaps, or maybe because
never having seen me he disliked me
less than the others, that he left me
all his wealth.
'eThe cutoff relations, you may be
sure" he continued, '.looked upon my
good fortune with anything but equan-
unity. They considered me supplant-
era spoiler, sort of testamentary
usurper, in short, who had robbed
them of their rights. The nearest
of blood tried to upset the will. The
testator, th,y said, wasn't in his right
mind whenshe made it, and proofs
were brought up Of many queer things
he had said and done.
.'But the jury thought man could
, be,queer without being crazy, and so
found a verdict establishing the dis
puted document.
- s'0f- course, I was hated worse than
sever by the disappointed claimants,
y but their spite gave me small concern.
with light. heart and plenty of
money man is apt to be on good
terms with himself, and not to mind
much what other people think.
'I went to spend q summer ut m
old-fashioned country farm. half hotel
and half farmhouse, I found comfort
able quarters and pleasant companions
among the later couple of half
fedged doctors, in whom the pranks
and yagaries into which .exuberance of
!. spirits often led me, seemed to excite
o lively interest. They were constant
" seeking to draw me out. They
seemed to think me amusing. to find
entertainment in their freaks, and to
crafty them I was ever ready with
some new extravaganza.
Zone evening they invited me to
take ride with them to visit a friend
in the neigh borhood, "a brother chip
they SAID with whom they assured me
would be delighted 1,l.ss.'7-i ~ ~
tt was long ride: hut We chatteds
the time away, and at length, as the
aight begsn to fall, drew up before a
large building.
{. This is DIR. Crotchett's, said one.
OF my companions.
AS we alighted and ascended the
steps the doctor came to the door.
He received MS cordially and, the cere-
P2ny of Introduction over, led the
WY in. He was tall, lank man, with
! ore of those perpetual smiles which it
= would be relief to see broken now
zand then by frown.
- .ssShow Mr. ClaveIing up, Leech,
said he to one of mis- friends; you
know the way, and I have word or
two to say to brother Pellet here.
'Leech took my arm and, at the
end of long corridor on the third
floor, let me into dimly-lighted room.
i thought it strange place to conduct
q guest to, but made no remark.
".Be seated, said Leech; 4 shall
return in moment"
$50 saying he stepped out and
closed the door,
< Though is was summer the night
air was keen, and morning aud even
ling fires were customary.
Feeling little chilly after our
long ride I attempted to draw chair
which stood near the wall towards
arepiace at the end Of the room.
Judge Of my surprise to find the
chair imm ovable.
my curiosity was excited-I took
. survey of the apartment. The lamp
by which it was lighted hung from the
ceiling out of reach. The only articles
of furniture were the stationary chair,
a small iron bedstead and bedding,
the former fastened to the wall and
q washstand simi arly secured. I ex-
amined the window; it was narrow
and guarded by thick iron bars.
''What could be the meaning of all
thisp I began to feel tremor coming
over me. Beads of perspirntion stood
on my forehead. went to the door,
essayed to open it, but found it locked
from oatside T shook it violently,
called loudly for Leech, and then made
desperate efforts to kick down the
door; but it was too strong and heavy
and inspection revealed the fact that
it was thickly plated with iron.
"a vague feeling of horror had
driven me almost frantic, when a
slight grating noise attracted my aSton-
tion.. A portion of the door turned
outward as if upon an hinge, disclos-
ing q small Aperture, through which
I discerned the face OF Dr.. Crotchett,
with its rigid siekening smile.
What is the meaning of this?' I
demanded fercely.
"'Come, come. Mr.. Clavering, be
calm, said the doctor, in his smooth,
hypocritical tone; excitement will do
you great harm, you see. We trust
you will soon be better.
-" 'Better!'I exclaimed; why there's
nothing on earth the matter with me.
You are scarcely the best Judge
OF that was the qniet response.
..Bnt I tell you 1 was never i'll in