Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-10-09

aunt PhooSb IiC W anu ihto tic
street straight to the market place. l
could not follow. What happened there
was told me later.
wild with agony at her husbands
fate, my gentle, loving aunt had burst
into a flood Of reproach of his murder
In those days this was crime enough
for the heaviest punishment, and be-
fore evening she had Jared the same
fate as my uncle.
The reign of terror had indeed be-
gun with us. The girls had fed, terri
fed at the fate which had befallen
their protectors, and | was meditating
in a half stupefied way the same meas
ure when Il knock came at the door
and two men, who had often eaten and
drunk at Hly uncle's table, came in and
made me prisoner, confiscating all
the possessions of the family to the
state.
''In those days mans foes were of
ten they of his own household. l Of
fered no resistance. The shock of the
day had completely unnamed me. l
made certain that l, too, should die
that night. But my time was not yet
come.
''In consequence of the lateness of
the hour l was taken to the Town pris-
on, dismal building, which l had new
er known to be occupied. There | was
thrust into deep dungeon and left in
total darkness till the morning, when
doubted not / should be conducted to
the same cruel fate as my poor rela-
tives had met. But morning came, as
had guessed by the sound without, and
still no summons. Worh out with sus-
pense and waiting, fell asleep. When
1 awoke, hunger and thirst oppressed
me. Happily had stored some bread
and meat and a small bottle of wine In
one of the pockets Gf my coat prepara-
tory to my intended flight. OF this
now ate and drank. No one came nigh
me. and yet | could hear sounds as if
wretched prisoners We're being led forth
out of neighboring cells doubtless to
death, for they wept and pleaded vain
ly as it seemed TO me.
"But the third day great stiffness
fell on the prison. l could not under
stand it. My senses were enfeebled for
want of food, for my small stock had
long been exhausted, and almost lack
ed strength to wonder why | was left
to live so long. Presently arose an aw-
full terror lest this should be my SEN
tence-to perish miserably for want of
food in this damp dungeon. Death on
the scaffold appeared light by compari-
son. l clamored at my prison door. l
shouted as loudly as | could, all to nc
purpose. Then | burst into an agony
of tears. My fate was too dreadful tc
bear. With the soft nature of my
youth | pitied and bemoaned myself
sorely. All at once words came into
my, mind that | had learned years ago
as text in the school, Fear thou not.
for | am with thee; be not dismayed,
for | am thy Cod
"They came like ray of light into
my prison, and | clung to the promise
as if it had that moment been made to
me by plying God. l felt soothed
and hopeful and in this condition
sank back in a doze or swoon.
''How time passed | could not tell;
day and night to me were alike in my
cell. | woke up to find light and
warmth and kindly faces about me.
Slowly | regained consciousness enough
to understand what they told me. |
had lain five days forgotten. The still
ness | had noted the third day was ac-
counted for by the fact that the news
had just reached our town of the death
of one of the greatest leaders of the
revolution and the consequent decline
of the party. In fear of his life, our
terrorist mayor had fled, and the old
mayor, resumng power, had ordered
the prison doors to be set open. | in
my solitary cell had been forgotten, and
but that some one had been sent to eX-
anime all the cells and collect the fet-
ters used therein might have perished
most miserably. As it was, | was car
ried out perfectly senseless and brought
to life with some difficulty.
Il am safe now, as you see, COM
rades, in my own country, but the an
guish of those few days will never be
forgotten. | bear about with me in my
face the remembrance of it. Daily |
thank God for light and air and food,
and yet these good gifts of his fail TO
make my heart rejoice. Still those
dreadful days in the dungeon have Civ
en- me firm reliance on his mercy,
and | know that | shall one day be
joyful again in the city of which the
gates are never shut and where there
Is no darkness"
Good Old Things.
Certain things are good for nothing