Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-06-02

English lord you want to lay hands on.
I've been putting on side. hut It's all
froth.'
The colonel was ordered into the hat
TO pass the night, and the brigands
went into caucus. They believed the
American 10 bc lying. Once they had
captured Il wealthy Frcnchman who
had lied them out of II big ransom. and
they didn't mean 10 he caught again.
When morning came there was an
other slim breakfast. Then the leader
said:
III you wish 10 he free In two days,
then write to your bank in Cornth."
but told YOU had none" replied
the colonel
"rhen 10 your country's consul"
"IIe could be OF no use whatever"
Listen 10 me-" said the man as his
comrades fingered their knives mcnac-
ingly. we give you one week In
which to raise the ransom. After that
you are dead man. Don't trlilc with
us You cannot deceive us and you
cannot hope for Rescue"
well. all I've got n say Is that II
you fclers tried 10 do business on your
plan IN Moriden you'd 90 stone broke
in two weeks I've told you the truth,
and IL YOU are too thick headed TO alb
sorh IL it's your misfortune"
The brigands were In no hurry. Nei-
Their were they In any danger Of being
ovcrhaucd They divided their ransom
money with the II. and the II saw that
they were not interfercd with.
Nothing further was said 20 the colo
mel for two days. lie made himself
believe that he was out on huckleber-
ry excursion and tried To enjoy H. on
the third day he noticed that the bri-
gands began TO exhibit signs Of impa-
tience AMI feel the edges of their
knives On the morning of the fifth
writing materials were placed before
him. and the leader said
Perhaps YOU will write 10 your
banker today?"
"Wlih the greatest Of pleasure, II
you will only tell me who he IS.
"Oh. very well There are two days
left 10 you
Colonel NIuggs hadn't been taking
things rs easy aS appeared lie was in
n hole and couldn't So" his way out
He couldn't raise 5000 lust then 10 save
his life. and he realized that he had put
himself into a false position and that
the brlgands would hold him 10 II. For
four days he had had an eye out for
any chance 70 make "A break. but he
had been under strict watch.
Soon after noon on that fifth day a
big thunder cloud came sweeping up
from the south and brought n torrent
OF rain and terrific thunder and light
ming Every one crowded into the hut
for shelter. and the brigands We're ours
ing and praying alternately when
something occurred big enough 10 make
a sensation In America for few min
utes What II was the colonel didn't
know until half nm hour later. when he
woke up Then he found himself and
the brigandS lying in the midst Of the
ruins " the old hut. His fellow dodgers
seemed very quiet and he decided not
10 disturb them. He gathered mp their
knives and carhlncs. and, retaining one
OF the latter. he chucked the rest into
ravlnc and then set out for Corinth.
If the brigands woke up after he de-
parted they did not pursue
"A-h-h. colonel hut my heart was
rent with sorrow when heard Of your
capture" exclaimed the landlord at
Corlnth as the colonel walked in on
him
We'll. dunno" was the reply
"You've got to get up pretty early TO
beat n Yankee and an eight day clock
combined"