The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-11-12
s From the Boston Museum.
THE SMITHS OF sMITHVILLE;
AND THEIR ADVENTURE WITH A RoBBER.

The Smiths of SmithVille, had for a long
time been very much annoyed by the depre-
dation Of some unknown individual, whose
confused ideas concerning the right Of proper
ty led to the frequent abstraction Of divers
goods and chattels from the premises Of said
Smiths, in furtiVe and mysterious manner
Bags Of wheat aud oats vanished from the
granary, pork from the cellar, and corn from
the crib; in one night sheep that had been
slaughtered had cOOlly trotted away and on an
other occasion several gallons Of maple mo.
lasses evapOrated in the night time. Milking
stools went off on three legs, and one morn
ing Mr.. Smiths axe was found to have "cut
stick" Log chains became rattle snakes and
crept off, iron wedges made splits in the
Smiths property, boots walked off, and an
ajack rode off with the Sap- horse,
Vain were the efforts of the elder and young
er Smiths TO discover the mystery OF these
disappearances, and to entrap the offender
Despairing Of bringing him to justice, the
Smiths found that they could do nothing more
than take measures to ensure the safety Of
their property. Accordingly they built new
grnnary, with strong walls, narrow grated
windows, and heavy oak door, to which was
attached formidable paddock. The prison.
like portion Of the barn was built sufficiently
u
deal Of portable property, such as was most
likely TO tempt the eupidity of thieves,
After the granaTy was finished, a month
passed, during which time the depredations Of
robber or robbers were confined to the orch
ards, or hen-roOsts; when late one Sunday
evening, the elder Smith, as he was sitting
tipped against the kitchen wall, smoking his
pipe, preparatory to retiring, bethought him
that he had neglected to lock the granary door
before leaving the barn. This was by no
means singular circumstance, considering
that the granary was usually locked by q
younger Smith, who had that night ''gone a
cOurting."
1t was moonlight evening, and Mr.. Smith
approaching the barn was considerably start
l5d at seeing the door jar. Certain OF hav-
ing shut the door an hour previous, Mr.. Smith
thought of robbers. His suspicious were con-
firmed when, on a nearer approach he plainly
heard noise in the barn. Too cautious to
endanger his life by boldly attacking the rob-
Der, Mr.. Smith, with considerable trepidatiOn,
resolved TO watch his movements and discOV-
or who he was.
Looking through crack in the east side Of
the barn, he saw dim, ghost like figure glide
across the floor towards the granary. A hap
by thought entered Mr.. Smiths brain. Steal
ing into the barn, he crept along beside the
NOW, when clap! he shut the door, turned the
key, and was off as if for life.
1t was impossible to say what made Mr..
Smith tremble so. 1t might have been the
smOtheFed cry Of alarm which issued from the
granary walls, and rang fully upon his ears; a
cry we'll calculated to awaken superstitiOus
fear. But Mr.. Smith never owned that he
was frightened, although on reaching the
kitchen he was white as ghost-Or as ghosts
are suDnOsed tn he ..
''What's the matter2'' cried Mrs. Smith.
'I've caught the rObberl'' calculated Mr..
Smith, in breath.
"Where-Where is heT'
"He's locked up in the granary-giveme my
boots.'
"Why-What are you going to do2'
"Get helpi He's desperate fellow, and it
will be dangerous TO meddle with him alonel"
It's impossible to describe the excitement Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Smith on that memorable Occa-
sion. The latter took it upon herself to load
the old musket, while her husband went fol
the neighbors. Is f,s
boots, and ran first to Deacon Naffle' house
where he expected to find q younger Smith,
who was courting Naffles' daughter. He was
surprised TO sec the house dark, as Il the
Naffles had retired and blown ont the candle.
He knocked, however, furious as the occasion
required. After some delay, Deacon Nafflei
came down in bis night elothes-stared at
Smith in astoniahment, and demanded his
business at that time Of night.
Caught the thief-locked up in the gFa-
nary--Where's Increasef'
"Hal caught the thieflP said Deacon Naffles,
who having lost some property as well as his
neighhor, was interested in the intelligence.
Good Keep him till morning.
''TWon't d." replied Smith in an excited
manner, ''he's desperate fellow-break out
Il must rouse the neighbors--where's my
son increased"
80, Sally is sick to might, so Increase court
ed her only about half an hour, and went
event homel''
eyes" said the Deacon, "half an hOui
ago.
head as ifhe had been struck with an idea OF
some weighty substance;
''GraciousP' be exclaimed,
"What2" exclaimed the deacon, Ng
"I believe, stammered the slider Smith
"I-I-I have locked up--'i
ssEhO2', te
"Incrs0se" ID eE
"1'll bet you have, = cried the deacon. q
heard him say he had got to carry the buggy
cushions into the ;granary before he went e
SbOOk here, p whispered the elder smith,
II beg you never TO mention this--ii itshould
get out"