Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-06-13
PASSED OUT
OF EXISTENCE


pon be dead In earnest. Nevertheless
am going to take the risk of tellin
, the story under an assumed name.
Years ago, when not far out Of N
teens, was sent abroad to trave
Full Of desire to explore mysteriou
paths, was foolish enough to spy VI
on q band of what are now called an
archists. Having been told by youn
German that he suspected them o
meeting In q deserted barn near hi
house, went there one night, peepet
through a crack and was discovered
but ran so fast that Il congratulated
myself my identify had not become
known.
A few weeks later l was doing {
cathedral In one of the principal cities
on the continent. l do not care tt
name the place. was lrreverently
poking my nose into all the corners
and crannies | could find when | was
accosted by young man, who asked
me If would like to see q very curious
closet. l told him that | would be
glad to see anything curious, where
upon he invited me to follow him. He
led me to d dark corner, where door
not over four feet high stood open.
"If you will stoop and enter there,
he said, you will be repaid for your
| trouble"
did as l was bid and entered q
closet not much too large to hold my
body. Then heard the door slam and
the bolts In the lock shoot forward.
My sensations are not only indescrib-
able, but. II l could give any Idea Of
them whatever, would be extremely
painful to the listener. had not been
locked up minute before it occurred
to me that the band upon whom had
spied had tracked me, discovered who
l was and taken this means Of putting
me out Of the way. There was moth
ing beneath me but cement foor
nothing about but four stone walls.
Therefore l looked up to see what
there mignt be for a ceiling. Far
above | saw what appeared to be a
rectangle Of light gazed at 1t long
while. trying to determine what it
was. but my mind was not In u state
to deliberate on anything, and | made
no Roadway.
After awhile fell into sort Of stu
pOr, owing doubtless to my terrible
mental condition. During this time,
/ presume, gained some rest from
my sufferings. for my consciousness
was restored. Since there was moth.
ing to see except above. cast my eyes
again upward.
The rectangle had doubled In size.
Again ! fell to thinking as to what
1t might be. and this time, In order to
occupy my mind and thus relieve the
mental strain. gave way to all sorts
Of speculation. The cathedral clock |
struck. and counted nine strokes. /
had been shut up ever since In the
afternoon. | was thunderstruck, hav-
Ing supposed that | had not been there
an hour
Presently ] saw something dangling
from above. After watching 1t for
some time l was able to make out that
It was a rope. Then discovered that
Il was coming toward me. Lower and
lower, nearer and nearer, 1t came till
1t last was able to grasp 1t. Then l
that had my box of wax
apers for lighting cigars In my pocket,
and, striking one of them, l tossed It
Upward. For an instant could make
'ut the ceiling. 1t was Of iron, and in
rs center was an iron ring, from which
he rope was swung. Lighting several
apers In succession, held them above
ny head and at last could see the cell.
ng as long as taper would burn.
Horror Of horrors! 1t was coming
lown to crush me!
Again, from sheer agony. became
unconscious. was revived by the
lock above striking IL. Every stroke
eemed to toll my knell. The ceiling
vas now 80 low that could touch It
With my hand. In half an hour all
would be over
Then | heard, far above. q sound as
4 the rubbing Of metal against metal.
listened and could distinguish the
oise Of cogwheels running together,
nd oh. blessed sight! The ceiling
Tas risingl
Then It occurred to me that was
the clock tower under the weight,
Which was now being wound. would
OF be crushed. would starve There
Ias one chance for me. Selling the
ope. | tied 1t under my arms. AS
Don as the slack was taken up be-
an to rise-ten, twenty. fifty, hun ,
red feet. There was more light. I :
'oked above. Between me and the =
'eight were arched windows. Might !
not get through one of them on to q !
oof? got up swinging motion and =.
hen | reached the window chung to
ne easement and unloosened the rope. m
reaklng the glass. looked out. The u
oof was twenty feet below. Jumped
nd landed safely on my feet.
In the east was a streak of dawn.
ut | did not stop to take note of 1t,
Ding here and there till found
DOR by which to descend. I found
Iyself in the body of the great cathe-
raj. All the irreverence of the previ-
rs day was gone. fell on my knees
efore the altar. Then, exhausted,
to one Of the cushioned pews
I'D fell asleep.
i was awakened by the sexton, whom
told that had been locked In by
istake. He opened the door for me. q
I'd I went ont knowing that IL my