Evening journal., 1908-10-26
AN ADVENTURE
"A OF A MISSIONARY.

copyright, 1s0s. by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
After spending ten years In India as
missionary l returned to America to
recuperate from the effects of the In
dian climate. Arriving in June, went
on the 1st Of July to a region Of high
altitude in order to get the benefit Of a
bracing air. I found the change very
beneficial. Instead of the hot Indian
air / breathed an invigorating atmos-
phere. From the date Of my arrival
gained strength.
At N, not far distant. there was a
church, and some OF the congregation,
hearing that a woman missionary was
at our hotel, sent me word that If ]
would give them some account of my
work the next Sunday afternoon they
would take up a collectioiSfor my mis-
sion. accepted and Sunday morning
set ont to walk to n. Those who had
invited me offered to send for me, but
/ preferred to walk.
/ had made half the distance when !
overlook a woman walking in the
same direction. am one Of those who
take every opportunity to save a soul,
so accosted her. She was fairly well
dressed and respectable looking. and
after a few, remarks about the fresh
ness Of the country and the deep blue
of the sky l entered on the subject IL
which was and am absorbed. To ar
rest her attention ! began by telling
her about my life as a missionary. Sh,
seemed much nterested-indeed, so in
terested that whenever / attempted t
lead her TO the subject of her owl
spiritual condition she would not per
NIT, holding me to what to her was tn,
more attractive subject. Thinking it ;
good opportunity to rehearse what
intended to say in the afternoon, diC
so. When l had finished the woman
asked me a number Of personal ques
tions, such as my name and whether
had met any Of those was about 4
address. i told her my name and sail
l had never seen a single person of tn
congregation OF indeed any one at n
She remarked that she should think
would be embarrassed at speaking t
strangers, and l replied that was
trife timid in doing so.
AS we walked on the woman at
place where the path was narrow fe
behind me. Suddenly / felt both m
wrists clasped ina firm grip, and b.
fore realized it they were bound t
gether at my back with a handke
chief. My companion, who had don
this. then forced me, on my back o
the ground, both arms being under N
and, tearing my underskirt, she mad
cords of it and bound my ankles. Ha'
ing done this, she put me on her shou
der and carried me into a wood so fl
from the road that 1 would not l
seen. put a. gag in my mouth, sat n
on a log and. making cords of oth'
parts of my clothing. bound me to
tree growing against it. Then she le
me. telling me not to worry. for 81
would come back to me before suns
the same evening.
There was nothing for me to do bl
wait If the woman did not come ba,
would starve II was compelled
stay even one night in the position 81
had placed me / would surely be
wreck before morning. l wonder'
what could be her object. Suddenly
occurred to me that had heard of
large insane asylum in the neighbc
hood. Might she not be an escap,
! lunatic? ] did not'doubt that she vi
t and that she would probably forget ;
about me. The thought was madde
ing.
For time l was not bodily 81
ferer. but after awhilei sitting in Il
! same position without being able
change became very. painful. n
I watch was in my. belt. but could n
q see it. i wished that /; might in ord
to know how fast or rather how slo'
ly the time was passing. That the W
/, man had not taken it convinced Z
that she was not a thief. but iusar
There was some comfort in this. for
she was not responsible for her &C
her immortal soul was not In peril.
True to her promise. just before su
set she returned to me and ask
whether IL she unbound me l wou
go back from whence / came witho
attempting TO injure her. was gli
/, enough TO promise. and. loosening I
n cords, she helped me on TO my fe'
n gave NE her arm and conducted me
= the road. We had gone but a she
!. distance when. hearing wheels behil
j. u.s. she said she would secure me
ride on my again promising not
d divulge what she had done. pro-
9 ised, and she seemed TO feel assur
: that would keep my word. A farm
in a buggy drove by. and the womi
asked him If he would give me a ii