The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-04-11

II dollars is offered for their detection"
4 Wouldn't it be joke! How they woul
stare when the succeeding day | should re
store to them all the lost articles, with tn
4 advice tha. the next time they should no
sleep so sound,
Ha. ha! l laughed aloud to myself as
thought Of it. and determined to try it.
| do not know precisely what caused me to d.
SO, but there was an unknown somethin:
| urging me on. l arose, put on my overcoa
and an old felt hat, and prepared to go out
But had no tarred paper-how should
break a pane Of glass, if it should be neces
sary, without noise? Here was fix, hu
fortunately L remembered that in one Of my
large piece of adhesive plaster. That would
be just the thing and l instantly went to
tget it.
/ When | went out of the house found
hthat the night was just suited to my purpose
Not rainy night was it, but very dark
fs.nd cloudy one without the fantest resem
blance Of star. 1t was late, too the clock
struck twelve before l had walked half a
square. TWAS precisely the night and hour
for such an adventure.
Just then | remembered that had with
me no dark lantern. What should l do :
For moment | was in doubt. Then | be-
thought me Of fricnd-a bachelor, who
roomed not far off and who possessed one.
| lie would not yet be in bed, and | would
! borrow Of him. When | reached his room,
! found him as had expected, sitting before
roaring fire, with huge pipe, filing the
room SO full of clouds of smoke tina, could
| scarcely see across it. | said to him:
| =" Tom, my boy, | want your lantern"
g Are you bound on a burglary" he
/ asked.
| Yes" said l.
/ Extensiye:" he asked, iokngly.
quite; you'll see it in the papers to-
morrow"
But don't leave the lantern if you have
to run"
Not for the world,"I replied, as lef;
/ tie room with it.
| kept on down the street, without any
definite idea Of where | should bring up.
At length, however, after walk ug about half
a mile, | stopped suddenly before a large
granite house, with grassy yard ia front
al was dark and quiet. leaped the fence,
and soon reached the rear of the house.
! looked around for a window. The only
one | could discern was some six feet from
the ground, but found that BY climbing on
an empty hogsh-ad which was near, could
reach 1t. | lighted M lantern, warmed my
plaster by it, and applied it to the window.
Il worked admirably, and in two minutes |
stood III the room. | searched around, but
could find nothing so | asceuded to the
second story, and entered the sleeping room
OF the master OF the house. lie was snoring
tremendously, his wife occasionally coming
in on the high notes. found three watches,
some rings, and roll Of bills. All Of these
put in my pocket. found the silver ware
in a large basket near the bed, and taking il
into the entry, left it near the stairs, while
entered another room, which chanced TO
be unCccupied, but appeared to belong 10
some young gentleman. Here among other
things found bunch Of cigars, and a very
tue dressing case. The cigars put in my
pocket, but as the dresSing-casc was too .
large to be slowed away in like manner, .
coutcnted myself wiki taking from il two .
very Gbe razJrs and a set Of sleeve buttons /
Leaving this chamber, ascended to the next 1
story.
The room here entered was ewed with
articles Of feminine wear. One little pair Of
slippers which caught my eye, were quickly
put in my pocket Then turned for a mo
meHt to lock at the owner Of them. She
was lying with hcr face to the wall, but
enough of il was in view TO show me that
she was very beautiful. Her curly hair was
spreading loosely over her fair shoulders
No horrid papers were torturing 1t into more
10 rid Tiuclrts. One fair hand rested upon
the bed-qUi!t, bearing upon its middle finger
4 splendid diamond riag. How il sparhiCd
aS the light from my lantern fell upon it, |
thought that ] Mad seen one like il before, Z
but could not remember where. and feel
ing came over the that | must have it; at
risk it might be, | must obtain
possession Of it. But could it be taken off
without awaking her: She was sleeping
very seundly and | determined to try, for
some irresistible power was forcing me on
ward. | closed my lantern and placed it on
the floor. Then | gently took the hand and
att mpted to withdraw the ring. 1t passed
quite well as far as the joint, but there il
stopped. pulled it little harder, but it
did not move Harder still, The hand
moved slightly, but instead Of dropping it, |
only tried again. The arm was withdrawn
from my grasp, the body turned, and voice
slowly murmured "Who is ~
Then for the first time the fear Of dis ,
,overy flashed upon me. Not once before
lad the idea crossed my mind, but now in
Is full force, it burst into v.ew.
What if should be found in such posi-
ion? In strange house, with my pockets
ull Of stolen property, My good name
would be blasted and | should he branded as
/ villain. My protestations that meant no s
.arm, would be unbelisving-a joke of such :
nature would be too practical, and too full .
If danger, for any one to think 1t possible ,
hat it could be INDUCED in. If the house ,
vas aroused and | was taken, | should be ,
uined forever. How could l save myself? ,
Again the voice said more loudly than be- ,
ore, as though the owner was more widely !
wake: ,
"Who is it :" }
Desperation seized me. / grasped the
heet and pressed it into her mouth, pulled
rom my pocket one of the razors, and firm !
Y, steadily, and heavily l drew it twice !,
cross her throat l felt the warm blood :
.ush over my hands and fly into my face. J
There was surgling, a struggle, and ali was :
uiet, she would never speak again. threw |
own the razor, and, opening the lantern, r
flowed the light to stream over her. Mer- .
iiul Heaven. what did | see? My 0rn
rife! Regardless Of the blood, or of dis .
overy, threw myself upon her, and fran
ically kissed her cold lips, shouting as l >
lid so :
Lizzie! Lizzie awake !" q
1t is you who had better wake, my dear, +
he replied, and starting back from the
ody, l.
Awoke from my dream, and found her
itting upon the lounge by my side, having
eturnei from her visit to Mrs. Jones. :,
OCCUPATION what glorious thing it is t
DR. the human heart Those who work hard S
edom yield themselves entirely up to fam q
led or real sorrow When grief sits down, II
e. | -