Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-11-09
5Amtrllanpnas.
TIE RoBBER OF HALsTEAD wO6D.

Our scene opens upon highway, nearly
three leagues from London The shades OF
evening were fast setting, when horscman,
bestriding noble steed, who seemed quite
exhausted by his days journey entered the
avenue leading through Halstead Wood and
the young man-for he seemed scarcely TWEEN
ty-two years of age-as he entered the forest,
now made gloomy by the darkness Of the fal-
ling night, drew from his head the richly en-
broidered cap Of velvet, and as he wiped from
his brow The perspiration, he lnurmured:
=. But short distance now my good steed, /,
and our journey Is ended. 'Tis long time
since left the city Of my birth, and MY pa
rents and sweet sister-God forbid that aught
should have befallen them during my absence
will scarcely know me. But | viii give
them surprise-ah that viii be delightful"
and he again placed the cap upon his head,
and started onward at a brisker pace.
But scarcely had he proceeded ten rods
when, from thicket ON the right, a man.
whose face was covered with mask, rushed
from his concealment, and ere the traveller
was aware of his presence, seized the horse
by the bride, and with d powerful jerk, near
ly threw him upon his launches; then level
ing directly at the strangers breast heavy
pistol, he exclaimed:
possession, or your life viii pay the forfeit
The young mans eyes flashed with passion
for moment, then spurring has horse which
gayea spring forward, he leaped with a bound
from his saddle; and ere the robber, whose
attention had been for an instant directed to
the horse, could prevent it, or before bis arm
could be raised, one hand Of the traveller was
fairly gripped upon his throat, and the other
ha ~, boi1 haa oI
FiercelY did the robber struggle in his en-
dravors to free himself from the young mans
hold, bat twas all in vain; he might as well
have attempted to move rock. Soon his
face tarned to purple hue, and as he vainly
endeavored to utter a sentence, he opened his
hand. the pistol dropped upon the ground and
he turned his eyes with an nnpioring look
upon his captor. Nor was it unheedcd, for
the young man unloosed his hold upon the
robbers throat, and drawing from his pocket
a handkerchief, he firmly bound the hands Of
his captive; and then taking the loaded pistol
from the ground, he placed it within his own
bosom.
The robber, as his eaptor stepped from him,
sank upon the turf, and to the astonishment
Of the young man, buried his face in his bound
hands and burst into a food of tears.
" Alas poor Marian he sobbed, you
viii now starve, and L, ON, heavens shall not
be near you -
:. Starve-Marian, repeated the young
man, whose astonishment was great, by all
that's good, have a sister by that name, and
she of whom you Speak shall not starve. Tell
me, my good man, why did YOU attempt to
rob me? Yeu seem not like common vii
lain
:. Neither am I, - said the robber, lifting
his head at the words of the young man.
Then why, again ask, did you attempt
my robbery
:. 1 viii tell you as you desire it, and God
knows it is all truth. Two years ago was a
clerk in the employ of wealthy, influential
firm in London At the manaion Of the junior
partner, / one evening made the acquaintance
OF beautiful young lady, daughter of rich
merchant. Our intimaey ripened into love,
and VIC became pledged to one another Thus
our affairs stood, when the father of Marian
became acquainted with the fact, and forbid
lie his house. was but an humble clerk,
he said, and not a match for her whose affec-
tions had gained But the sternness of the
father altered not the feelings of the daugh-
ter. for in a few weeks we affected an elope-
mont, and then Marian became my wife
see her face; and he declared that not pound
of his wealth, should ever be bestowed upon
his ungrateful girl BY his Vaccinations,
also, lost my situation and six months since
[ left the employ Of my hitherto kind benc
factor Oh, God. the agony of mind | have
since endured would have maddened my brain.
had not my gentle Marian been uppermost in
nay thoughts For many weeks I have sought
employment but could not gain it Since
Yesterday. myself and wife have not tasted
food; and to-day-Heaven forgive me the act
II started from the city determined to rob-
You can see how / have succeeded; and yet,
thank God, you overpowered me lad 1t not
been for my wife | would never attempted
this but could not see her starye-l could
not. - and as he concluded, he again sobbed
ike a child
{. Nor shall shc." cried the young man
:. know not but you are playing me false,
but | scarcely believeit. Forgive me, how
ever. if l take proper precaution against
treachery
As he spoke, he again mounted his horse,
and bidding his prisoner go on before, they
started on their way to London.
lead me to your own dwelling, and if |
find you have told me the truth, you shall not
suffer"
Thank you-thank your' was all the
osenpowercd man could reply, and they pro-
ceeded on in silence.
The bells of the city were striking the hour
of ten when the two men arrived at the out
skirts of London. Dismounting from his tired
horse, which he left in the hands of the host
Ter at an humble inn. the young man follow
ed the footsteps of the robber keeping eau
tious eye on him, lest he should attempt to
escape by darting down one of the many lanes
in the vicinity. But such a thought never
entered the breast Of the prisoner. for he led