Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-11-02
my ESCAPE.
A Case of Mild, Mild Ecoentrlclty.


81 suppose I am eccentric" said
Dick Clavering 'at least they tell me
So; at any rate there is a story anent
that, if you care to hear"
$50 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
of another.
eft was a queer thing to do" he
began.
"What WASP"
''The will he made" said Dick;
''but suppose he was eccentric, too"
"You forget that you haven't yet in
troduced the gentleman" one of us
reminded
"Well, can't say I know him my
SELF, returned Dick, Though was a
distant relation; he had none but dis
tant relations, in fact, of whom was
the most distant. 1t 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.
''The cutoff relations, you may be
sure" he continued, 'looked upon my
good fortune with anything but equan-
unity. They considered me a supplant-
er, 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, they said, wasn't in his right
mind when he 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 verdict establishing the dis
puted document.
"Of course, / was hated worse than
ever by the disappointed claimants,
but their spite gave me small concern.
With light heart and plenty Of
money a man is apt to be on good
terms with himself, and not to mind
much what other people think.
II went to spend summer at an
old-fashioned country farm, half hotel
and half farmhouse, 1 found comfort
able quarters and pleasant companions
among the later couple of half
fiedged doctors, in whom the pranks
and vagaries into which exuberance of
spirits often led me, seemed to excite
lively interest. They were constant
ly seeking to draw me out. They
seemed to think me amusing. to find
entertainment in their freaks, and to
crafty them | was ever ready with
some new extravaganza.
Zone evening they invited me to
take a ride with them to visit friend
in the neighborhood, a brother chip
they said with whom they assured me
would be delighted.
''It was long ride, but we chatted
the time away, aud at length, as the
night began to fall, drew up before
large building
g This is DR.. Crotchett's,' said one
of my companions.
Gas we alighted and ascended the
steps the doctor came to the door.
He received us cordially and, the cere-
mony of introduction over, led the
way in. He was tall, lank man, with
one of those perpetual smiles which it
and then by Il frown.
" Show Mr.. Clavering up, Leech,
said he to one of his friends; you
know the way, and 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.
thought it strange place to conduct
guest to, but made no remark.
BE seated, said Leech; Il shall
return in a moment"
$50 saying he stepped out and
closed the door.
Though is was summer the night
air was keen, and morning and even
ing fires were customary.
Feeling little chilly after our
long ride l attempted to draw chair
which stood near the wall towards a
fireplace 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 aud bedding,
the former fastened to the wall and
a washstand similarly secured. I ex-
amined the window; it was narrow
and guarded by thick iron bars.
"What could be the meaning Of all
this? l began to feel tremor coming
over me. Beads of perspiration stood
on my forehead. 1 went to the door,
essayed to open it, but found it locked
from outside l shook it violently.
called loudly for Loech, 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 atten-
tion. A portion of the door turned
outward as if upon an hinge, disclos-
ing small Aperture, through which
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