Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-12-22
From the Boston Museum.
THE SMITHS OF sMlTMyILLE.
THEIR ADVENTURES WITH RoBBER.


been annoyed by the depredations Of some un-
known individual, whose confused IDEAS concern
ing the rights of property led to the frequent alb
straction Of divers goods and chattels from the
premises of said Smiths, in fugitive and myste-
rieus manner Bags of wheat and oats and corn
from the crib; one night sheep which had been
slaughtered had coolly trotted away, and on an
other occasion several gallons OF maple sugar
evaporated in the night time. Milking SO Dis
went off ON three legs, and one mor i ig Mr.
Smith ) axe was found to have 'eut stick" Log
chains became rattle-snakes and crawled off, iron
wedges made splits in the Smiths property, boots
walkeI off, and jack rode off with the sac
horse. fa.zx :
Vain were the efforts of the elder and younger
Smiths to discover the mystery of these d.sap-
pearances, and to entrap the offender. Despair
ing OF bringing him to justice, the Smiths fsunl
that they could do nothing more than take meas
urcs to ensure the safety of their property. Ac-
cordingly they built new granary, with strong
walls, narrow grated windows and heavy oak
door, to which was attached a formidabls paddock.
This prison-like portion of the barn was built
Sufficiently large to allow the Smiths to lock up
great deal of portable property, such as was
most likely to tempt the cupidity Of thieves.
After the granary was finished, month passed
during which time the depredations of the robber
or robbers were confined to the orchards or hen
roosts; when late one Sunday evening, the elder
Smith, as he was sitting tipped against the kitch-
en- 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 a singular circumstance, considering
that the granary was usually locked by a younger
Smith, who had that night s.gone eou ting"
q was moonlight evening, and d.. Smith, on
approaching the born was considerably startled at
seeing the door ajar. Certain Of having shut the
Goor an hour previous, Mr.. Smith thought of the
robbers His suspicious were confirmed when ON
n zarcr approach, he plainly heard meyementin
the barn. Too cautious ef his life, Mr.. Smitl I,
with considerable trepidation, resolved to watch
his InoFements and discover who he was. 3
Looking through crack in the east side Of the
barn, he sawsa dim. ghost-like figure glide across
the floor towards the granary. A happy thought
entered Mr.. Smiths brain. Stealing into the
barn, he crept along beside the NOW, when he
shut the door, turned the key, and was off as if
fof life
II is impossible to say what made Mr.. Smith
tremble SO. It might have been the smothtred
cry of alarm which issued from the granary walls
and rang fully on his ears; cry well calculated
to awaken supersttious fear. But Mr.. Smith nev-
or owned he was frightened, although on reach
ing fae kitchen he was as white gh SITS are sup
posed to be. is' s.5s
ssWhat,s the matter 2" cried Mrs Smith
.ssIvecaught the robber e' calculated Mr.. Smith
in breath - z
ssWhere-wher is he 90 z
aHe's locked up in the granary-gve me my
boots.,' .s.s ss...ss
.sWhy-what are you going to do @
sect help He's desperate fellow. and twill
be dangerous to meddle " ith him alone p
1t is impossible to describe the excitement of
Mr.. and Mrs. Smith on that memorable occasion.
The latter took it upon herself to load the old
musket, while her husband went for the neigh
bors.
Mr Smith exchanged his slippers for his boots,
and ran first to Deacon Naffies' house where he
expected to find the young Smith who was court
ing Nafies' daughter. He was surprised to see
the house dark, as if the Naffies had retired anf
blown ont the candle. He knocked however, fu
rious as the occasion required. After some delay
Deacon Naffles came down in his night clothes
stared at Smith in astonishment, and demande'
his business at that time of night.
acaught the thief-loeked up in the granary-
where's Increase?'s
aha! caught the thief - cried Deacon Nafies
who having lost some property as well as hi
neighbor, was interested in the intelligence.
"Good, keep him till morning.