The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-09-15

These were his last word On the will
being opened, it was found that the whole
OF his estate, real and personal, had been
bequeathed to his son Andrew, charged
only with an annuity Of f50O to his moth
er, during life. But, shbuld Mark be
found, the property was to be has, similar
ly charged with respect to Mrs. Bridgman,
and fl00 yearly to his brother Andrew,
also for life, in addition. I
On the evening of the tenth day after
his fathers funeral, young Mr. Bridgman
sat up till late hour, examining various
papers and accounts connected with his
inheritance, and after retiring to bed, the
exciting nature of his recent occupation
hindered him from sleeping. Whilst thus
lying awake, his quick ear caught sound
as OF some one breaking into the house
through one of the lower easements. He
rose cautiously ly, went out on the landing,
and soon satisfied himself that his suspic-
ION was correct one. The object of the
burglars was, he surmised, the plate in the
house, of which there was an unusually
large quantity, both his father and grand
father having expended much money in
that article of luxury. Andrew Bridg-
man was anything but timid person.
indeed, considering that six men aItogeth-
er slept in the house, there was but little
cause for fear,-and he softly returned to
his bedroom, unlocked mahogany case,
took out, loaded and primed two pistols,
and next reused the gardener and groom,
whom he bade noiselcssly follow Lim.-
The burglars-three in number, as it
proved-had already reached and opened
the plate-closet. One of them was stand
ing within it, and the others just without.
"Halloo! rascas," shouted Andrew
Brldgman from the top of flight of stairs,
what are you doing therel"
The startled and terrified thieves gIanc-
ed hurriedly round, and the two outer
most fled instantly along the passage, pur-
sued by the two servants, one Of whom
had armed himself with sharp-pointed
kitchen knife. The other was not so for
tunate. He had not regained the thres-
hold OF the closet when Andrew Bridp-
man fired. The bullet crashed through
the wretched mans brain, and he fell for
ward, stone-dead, upon his face. The two
Others escaped-one of them after Sc
we're struggle with the knife-armed groom.
1t was some time before the uproar in
the now thoroughly-alarmed household
had subsidized; but at length the scream
ing females were pacified, and those who
had got up, persuaded to go to bed again.
The corpse Of the slain burglar was re.
moved toan clubhouse, and Andrew Bridg.
man returned to his bedroom. Present.
ly there was tap at the door. 1t was
Sarah Hollins. II am come to tell you
something" said the now aged woman,
with significant look. The person YOU
have shot is the Richard Green you have
so often heard Of"
The young man, Hollins afterwards said,
seemed much startled by this news, and
h's countenance flushed and paled in quick
succession. "Are you quite sure this is
true" he at last said. "Qute; though he's
so altered that except Missus, don't
know anybody else in the house that is
likely to recognise him. Shall tell herln
mo, no, not on any account. 1t would
only recall unpleasant events, and that
quite uselcssly. BE sure not to mention
your suspicion, n,-your belief, to a soul"
suspicion! beiefw echoed the woman.
at is a certainty. But, of course, as you
wish it, | shall hold my tongue"
So audacious an attempt created con.
siderable stir in the locality, and four DAYS
| after its occurrence a message was sent to
Red Lodge from Bury St. Edmunds, that
two men, supposed to be the escaped burg.
lars, were Il ere in custody, and request
ing MIR. Bridglnan's and the servants at.
tendance on the morrow, with a view to
their Identification. Andrew Bridgman,
the gardener, and groom, of course, obey
ed the summons, and the prisoners were
brought into the justice-room before them
One was a fellow of about forty, brutal.
visaged fellow, low-browed, sinister look.
ing rascal, with the additional ornament
Of but partially-closed hare-lip. He was
unhesitatingly sworn to by both men,
The other, upon whom, from the instant
he entered, Andrew Bridgman had gazed
with eager, almost. it seemed, trembling
curiosity, was well-grown young man Of
it might be, three or four and twenty, with
quick, mild, almost timid, unquiet
troubled, look, and features originally
comely and pleasing, there could be nc
doubt, but now smirched and blotted into
Ill favor by excess, and evil habits. He
gave the name Of Robert Williams"
Andrew Bridgman, recalled to himself
by the magistrates voice, hastily said,
that he did not recognise this prisoner as
one of the burglars. Indeed" he added,
with swift but meaning look at the two
servants, II am pretty sure he was not
one Of them" The groom and gardener,
influenced no doubt by their masters
manner, also appeared doubtful as to
whether Robert Williams was one Of the
housebreakers. "But if he le," hesitated
the groom, hardly knowing whether he
did right or wrong, "there must be some
smartish wounds on his arms, for hit him
there sharply with a knife several times y