The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-05-21
PASSED OUT
 OF EXISTENCE
IorlrinaL1

am going to take the risk of telling the story under an assumed name.
 Years ago, when not far out of my teens. was sent abroad to travel Full of a desire to explore mysterious paths, I was foolish enough to spy up- on a band of what are now called an- archlsta Having been told by young German that he suspected them of meeting In a deserted barn near his house. went there one night peeped through a crack and was discovered, but ran so fast that I congratulated myself my Identify had not become known.
 A few weeks later was "dOlng' a cathedral in one of the principal cities on the continent do not care to name the place. was irreyerently poking my nose into all the corners and crannles could And when l was accosted by a young man, who asked me if would like to see a very curious closet. I told him that l would be glad to see anything curious, where upon he invited me to follow him. He led me to a dark corner, where a door not over four feet high stood open.
 "If you will stoop and enter there' he sald. you will be repaid for your trouble"
 1 did as 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. lf I could give any Idea Of them whatever, would be extremely painful to the listener. had not been locked up a minute before it occurred to me that the band upon whom l had spled had tracked me. discovered who I was and taken thls means of putting me out of the way. There was noth' ing beneath me but a cement foor nothing about but four stone walls Therefore I looked up to sec what there mignt be for a ceiling. Fur above I saw what appeared to be a rectangle of light. guzed at it a long while, trying to determine what it was. but my mind was not in a state to deliberate on anything, and l made no headway.
 After awhile fell Into a sort of stu DOT. 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 noth- Ing to see except above, cast my eyes again upward.
 The rectangle had doubled in size.
 Again I fell to thinking as to what it might be. and thls time. in order to occupy my mind and thus relieve the mental strain. gave way to an sorts of speculation. The cathedral clock struck. and I counted nine strokes had been shut up ever since | In the afternoon. was thundcrstruck. hay. Ing supposed that ! had not been there m hour.
 Presently saw something dangling from above. After watching it for some time was able to make out that it was a rope. Then ! discovered that it was coming toward me. Lower and lower. nearer and nearer it came tin at last | was able to grasp it. Then remembered that had my box Of wax tapcrs for lighting cigars in my pocket, and. striking one of them. tossed it upward. For an instant l could make out the ceiling. It was of Iron. and in its center was an Iron ring from which the rope was swung. Lighting several tapers in succession, held them above my head and at last could sec the cell. Ing as long as a taper would burn.
 Horror Of horrors! It was coming down to crush me!
 Again. from sheer agony ! became unconscious. was revived by the clock above striking 12 Every stroke seemed to toll my knell The ceiling was now so low that I could touch it with my hand In half an hour all would be over.
 Then I heard. far above. a sound as of the rubbing of metal against metal listened and could distinguish the noise of cogwheels running together and oh. blessed sight! The ceiling was rlslng
 Then it occurred Co me that I was in the clock tower under the weight which was now being wound. would not be crushed. I would starve. There was one chance for me. Seizlng the rope. l tied it under my arms. As soon as the slack was taken up l be gan Co rise-ten. twenty, fifty. a hun dred feet. There was more light. looked above. Between me and the weight were arched windows Might I not get through one of them on to a roof3 got up a swinging motion and when I reached the window clung to the easement and unloosened the rope Breaking the glass, looked out. The roof was twenty feet below. jumped and landed safely on my feet.
 In the cast was a streak of dawn, but I did not stop to take note of it going here and there till found a door by which to descend. found myself in the body of the great cathe- HF Al. .n AN.. ..-ausF