The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-01-07
MY ESCAPE.
"A Case Of Mid. Mild EccsntricIty.

DiSn NiaNotibS de icaSb tuey tell III q
so; at any rate there is story anent
that, il 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
of another.
1T was queer thing to do" he
began.
"What was?"
.'The will he made" said Dick
"but suppose he was eccentric, too. "
You forget that you haven't yet in
troducedsthe gentleman, one of rs
reminded.
"Well, can't say 1 know him my
self, returned Dick. though I was a
distant relation; be had none but dis
tant relations, in fact, of whom 1 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, Cooked upon my
good fortune with anything but equan-
unity. They considered me a supplant-
or, a 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 a man could
be qneer 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 man is apt to be on good
terms with himself, and not to mind
much what other people think.
81 went TO spend summer at an
old-iashioned country farm, half hotel
and half farmhouse, I found Gem 'ort-
able quarters and pleasant companions
among the later couple of halt
fedged doctors, in whom the pranks
aud vagaries into which exuberance of
spirits often led me, seemed to excite
lively interest. They were constant
ly seeking to draw me ont. They
seemed to think me amusing. to find
entertainment in their freaks, and to
crafty them was ever ready with
some new extrayagance.
lone evening they invited me to
take ride with them to visit friend
in the neighborhood, 's~brother chip,
they said with whom they assured, me
would be delighted.
= ''It was long iide, but we chatted
tho time away, and at length, as the
night began to fall, drew up before a
large building.
g This is DIR. Crotchett's, said one
Of my companions.
''As we alighted aud assembled the
steps the doctor came to the door.
He received MS 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
would be relief 10 see broken now
and then by frown.
' SHOW Mr.. Claveiing mp, Leech, ;
said he to one of mis- friends; 'you
know the way, aud I'have word or
two to- say to brother Pellet here.
''Leech took my arm and, at the
end OF q long corridor on the third
floor, let me into dimly-lighted room.
thought it a strange place to conduct
q guest to, but made no remark.
BE seated, said Leech; Il shall
return in moment.
$50 saying he stepped out and
closed the door.
Though is was simmer the night
air was keen, and morning and even
ing fires were, customary.
fleeing little chilly after our
long ride / attempted to draw a chair
which stood near the wall towards a
fireplace at the end of the rom.
"Jndge of my surprise to find the
chair immovable.
"My curiosity was excited took
Q 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,
q small iron bedstead aud bedding,
the former fastened to the wall and
. washstand similarly secured. ex-
amined the window; it was narrow
and guarded by thick iron bars.
ssWhat could be the meaning Of all
this? / began to feel tremor coming
over me. Beads of perspiration stood
on my forehead. l went to the door.
essayed to open it, but found it locked
from outside! / shook it vi,lently,
called loudly for Lesch. 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.
s.A vague feeling of horror had
driven me almost frantic, when a
slight graf ng noise attracted my atten-
lion. A ortion of the door turned
outward as il npon an hinge, disclos.
iag 8 small sprsrtars, through which
] .sssesrnsl the face III py. csatebssit
VIII isf sigsa sirksa,ns sHils