Year: 1860

So l remained seated by her side, sup
porting her as she slowly revived.


ALTHOUGH she had said that the dis
tance was but short, and notwithstanding
] was rather enjoying myself. yet it seem
ed to me that We were never to stop
although the horses had been going for q
long time at the stop of their speed. II
fact, | had several times thought that
they must be running away with Us.


"But at last, after riding for almost
half an hour at break neck pace, we
halted. By this time she was again SC
unwell that I was absolutely obliged to
lift her ont of the carriage and carry hel
up the steps.


"Here she besougbt me to come in,
that she might thank me for my kindness,
assuring me that she should never forget
it. Accordingly ordered the driver to
wait, and in l went. We passed through
hall in which the gas burned dimly, and
into parlor likewise but little lighted,
but as well as 1 could see quite nicely
furnished.


"The moment we entered the room she
appeared to revive, and closing the door,
and taking of her bonnet and cloak, she
requested me to be seated; | did so upon
a lounge near at hand, and presently she
came and sat herself at my side.


"She thanked me over and over again,
and requested my card, which gave her.
She appeared to be completely recovered
from her late illness, which she said she
was quite subject to, and l have since
come very much to the same conclusion.
She had expected to meet her husband
at the theater, and did not knoDwhy he
had not been there. He was lawyer,
and perhaps his business had detained
him. Thus passed quarter of an hour.


"At the end of that time heard steps
coming along the hall; they stopped at
the parlor door and the knob was turned
but the door would not yield. Then a
heavy voice exclaimed, "Open this door" f"
This was followed by strong kick.


"At the same time the lady cried out,
MY God it is my husband-the door is
locked; be is terribly jealous-be will
kill you; and fell fainting into my arms


"What position for modest man !
Before l could think twice, open burst the
door With tremendous crash, and a man
frantic with rage rushed into the room.
For a moment be looked at US without
speaking; then, with loud oath, sprang
to the table, opening the drawer. and sci
zing pair of pistols, pointed them at my
head, crying out as be did SO, 'Villsin
have l found you'll" You shall die!'


"The wife sprang from my arms, and
seized the barrel of pistol with each
hand. Would you commit murder he
is innocent, she cried out, but he swore
with an awful oath that If moved he
would kill me. Had only had my re-
volver with me-aDd generally carry it
he would perhaps have come off second
best; but had that day sent it to be re-
paired, and therefore, luckily for him, l
was unarmed.


"At length bis ferocity melted beneath
the tears and protestations of bis wife,
and the matter was finally adjusted by
my leaving my watch and all my money
was about three hundred dollars
--as a pledge that l would call next day
and settle the affair, he at the same time
giving me his note for the amount, and
threatening to blow my brains out if re-
tired without SO doing. After it was
done he walked down to the carriage
With nae, for it was still waiting, and he
got 10 after me, still keeping his pistols
in his hands.


"When we had ridden some ten min :
utes the carriage stopped, and | was or.
dered to get out. | did SO, as he possess.
ed most potent 'persuader,' and the
hack drove of and left me in an unknown
part of the city. Of course I have been
unable to find the house, and so my mon
ey is lost, without you can help me find
it; but l will give them the credit of hav'
log played the game most excellently."


When my friend bad finished burst
into laugh. ! could not help it. the
whole affair was SO rich and amusing, bu
I promised to assist him as far as l was
able.


"Have you mentioned the affair to any
one!" | asked him.


"No, you are the first. l thought tha
it would be useless, as | bad no satisfac
tory proof of the transaction, for of course
the note is worthless, even if | could fine
the house, which is perfectly impossible
as I have not the faintest idea of its 10
cality."


"Should you know the woman If 70,
should see her agsinl"


"Yes, among a thousand"


"And the man, could you reeognis
himl"


II think | could"


asked him to give a description o
him, and he did SO.


could have hugged him in my JOY
for here was the very man was 10 searc
of, and / could, by finding him, kill ta
birds With one stone. and instead OF be
ing to my friend losing business,
would pay we'll, as reward Of one thou
sand dollars had been offered me by tn
person whose name had been forged