The Democratic advocate., 1905-06-10
Selett Stnrp.
THE TWO DOORS.
A Tale of an Escape from New
York in 177S.
cnnlon Ross. in New YORK sun.

taken on a toraging expedition in West
chester. The capture of himself and his
this Mordaunt states particular
ly. was his own fault His escape was
little less than remarkable, and will leave
him state it in his own words. The mar
rative, YOU will notice, begins rather alb
ruptly
The little town of gabled roofs broke at
last on my wearied sense, as the guard
troops brought us in, ike scene in play
| had once seen in Philadelphia as If |
should turn from il to town of the Cana
das, though this was all unlike; Dutch
town, indeed, with marks put on it of
long English occupation, as we fell among
the King relocated soldiery.
| wanted, weary as | was, to say word
to my poor comrades, but | was not per-
mitted it; and accused myself, whose
sorry rashness-for had urged the expe-
dition-had brought them to this plight of
prisoners of war But had no chance
then. nor later
As for myself, Twas taken into build
ing which proved an improyised Jail, where
was put in comfortable room, the cir
cumstaRces being considered, where at once
| fell to sleep
do not know how long | slept when |
was wakened by sunshine streaming through
a barred window aud insistent tones IN my
ears. 4 sergeant stood there, directing a
man with my breakfast ate heartily,
forgetting all my misfortune.
And this was the beginning Of many
DAYS.
A, last one day. hong past sunset. |
heard considerable c,lnmo,iou outside
Nv barred window showed nothing against
the gathering dusk. though hooking on,
into 3 street-it was httle side street
Ru, the cummoiion coatinued Pres
emily heard steIs ia the Corridor aud the
bolts drawn, when my Jsiler sergeant ap
peared With two soldiers supporting young
man in Lieutenant uniform. frum Whose
Ial. face | saW At oRee that he was drunk
The house is hllei and w ,hall have
to put him in with you, the sergeant
sid. the others supporting him to ihe bed
where i,e saRk down
Why dont hear from SIR Henry
Clinton asked Ike a p~csish fool. A.
If the sergeant should know II expect
4 parole. at beast,
He shrugged his shealders and wrnt out
and cl,.-s~i the dor, and heard the fading
ioosfalls
Why. indeed, wa-a s,uc action taken
ia my oAseg had been now a prisoner
near 3 week
The fellow on the bed breathcd heayi.
IL. tie wure the uniform ef line regi
usen,, and had young, gentle face rather
worn With dissipation. do not know "a
this day shat caused the street noses pre-
cesiing bis appearance Watching his
hard breathing. suddenly wished that |
had his uniform. though did nos think
Why The thought was ike an iaspira
lion. Fer What If the door had been lcit
unboltedg Of oourse il we're impossible IL
should have been Aud set | had not
heard the rasping Of the bol, against iSs
socket. And tined IL VIII yea believe
me, that door swarg back, and vas hook
ing into the eorridoE
Quickly elesed il and sent back 10 the
rd.breAthing figure on the bed
For a moment in the hickering hight r.
| had liz my candle-I watched his faer.
which reminded the Of my own. Finally,
having the courage of my purpose, shook
him roughly. but he did not - much as
stir, SO began to pail "a his eoat, his
stock, his wzistroat SIill be was uncon-
scions, till he startled me by opening hi,
EYES.
''Whatg he asked, huskily And thea
he rolled over on his side in s,upor, leav
ing me the po~sessor Of the uniform The
color Of my bresches would no, be observed.
| decided and | had on his wsistenas, coat
and stock saw that some regimentai
disorder had been In the town neoessitai-
Ing the use Of my jail as suaEdhoase.
Now, went to the door aud opened it,
and was in the dusky corridor Down It's
length | liptoed, no one hindering, and
then | was Al an outer door
Here the risk must be taken, and |
hurried. opening the door. The fresh air
struck my face and sleepy sentinel,
tnn~ket on shoulder, turned about, staring.
| did not hesitate but, summonins all my
,a,ugfruid, closed the door, as il my ap-
pearanee we're Of course
'.Tl report you for a sleepy knave,
said, facing him Ifmy voice were strange
he did not notice it, but only saiuled as il
all were the matter Of course.
can I account for that lax discipline
now, but suppose he thought me some
officer, aud my authoritative word did mol
leave him the sense to inquire. At least
be let me pass on, aud turned, without
| further word, into little deserted street
did not know what | now should do.
Presently, before me, | saw one coming
with swinging lantern--a short, squat
figure of man. thought to turn back,
but not daring, kept on. As he ap
preached | held myself erect, and so passed
into the lantern light, which lickered, fol
the night was gusty, New York being ex-
posed on all sides to stretches of wind
He, il seems, was peering about, for he saw
me only to stop | did not run, for | did
not know where.
| The other said
''Capt. Mordaunt
''You re mistaken, | began.
stop, said he Come, turn back
You can get awayr'
| hesitated for 4 moment. looked al
and down, and the wind moaned chorus
to my thoughts, and yet, after week in
cell, it brought the sweetness of freedom
1t sang that word in my ears, it put m.
pulse to beating The chance should no
present itself in vain, said | then.
shouldn't be stoDpsd by this fellow, who
ever he might beg Twas a question, a
the most, of man to man, and for his com
pact, powerful figure held that my leg
were good, and the lane was long and dar
and deserted
When you are telling, long after, wha
you did in impulsive activity, the word
may choke the action You fail to pro
duee for the reader the effect of the nc
ment. For you can be assured it was nc
moment, hardly an instant before wa
giving him my heels in answer to his de
mand. The situation had framed itself $
| an1 I xuas moi tho man tbs