The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1858-01-28
A THRILLING NARRATIVE.
By "MIAH SAUNDERS" "

OSi 'A1 oiIJJ anu tnOuSaHus OI IeIlOW"De
ings, fadgued by the laborg Of the day
had sought their couches, and we're now
quietly reposing in the gentle embraces
of the "GOd of sleep" while their spirit:
were soaring in land of dreams. n
X 4 TIrr
ing the day the heavens had been darkend
by a black and lowering cloud, which
gave unmistakable evidence of a coming
storm As evening approached the cloud
increased in size ana blackneas, 10 which
were added frequent flashes of lightning,
and an occasional rumblng Of distant
thunder. The citizens judged, as well
they might, that ere long the storm would
be Upon them, and at an early hour the
places of business were all closed and they
were seen making their way in hurried
strides toward their abodes, where they
might rest in quiet, undisturbed by the
raging of the storm. BY nine O'Clock not
an individual was to be seen, and the city
presented the appearance Of being deser.
ted. Even the watchmen, those careful
guardians of the city's safety, had fed
from their stations upon the first approach
OF the storm and ensconced themselves
within the walls of their peaceful domi-
Giles, thinking that on such a night none
would dare venture from their dwellings,
and that the city was entirely safe with
out their care. An almost impenetrable
darkness had settled DER the city, and a
solemn silence prevailed, broken only by
the rushing of the wind and the deep
tones Of thunder.
at midnight the storm broke forth in
Its widest fury. The thunder, which be-
fore was heard only in the distance, now
resounded with an almost incessant roar
which seemed to shake the very earth
Vivid flashes of lightning followed each
other in quick succession. The rain fell
in torrents. 1t seemed as If the flood
gates of the heavens were open and a
deluge was descending upon the earth.-
A cold and piercing wind swept impetu-
ouSly along the deserted streets, as if in
search of some object, it knew nor cared
not what, upon which to vent its seeming
malice. Nor was this search, if such il
might be called, fruitless one. Many
were there within the limits of that and
other cities, who felt but could not avert
the keenness of the blast. To them such |
a night brought grief and sufferings, such |
as none but the poor have knowledge of |
But there were those to whom this night
was welcome. Two Of the class last spo- |
ken OF, we intend to notice. We shall not
trouble the reader with lengthy and te-
dious description of these two personages,
as we have not the time if we had the in
clination, but hasten to that portion Of
our narrative which is more important,
and which we hope will not fail to inter-
est him. Suffice it to say that they were
both of medium stature, and though they
seemed not to be members of that class
called desperate Williams" yet their ap-
pearance was by no means of prepos-
sessng character. There was strange.
ness in their looks and actions on that E.
'entGul night, which would lead a close
observer to conclude that their minds
we're i'll at ease, and that they waited but
or the storm to abate before they should
wander forth upon some desperate enter
,rise. On the night of which we speak,
hey were the occupants of neatly fur
liShed room upon the second floor of ,
espeCtable building, situated upon mar
ow quiet street, near the outskirts of the G
ity. They paced the room hurriedly as ;;
t impatient, that the storm ragged so long, !
md talked in low and broken accents con- i
,erning their object and the best means o
# accomplishing it. AS the night wore !
N, the storm subsided. The flashing of
he Lightning, the believing of the thun-
er and the roaring Of the wind had ceas. I
d, and there followed gentle calm,
Which contrasted strangely with the scene I.
1hich had so lately passed. "
This was the hour for which our heroes i
ad SO anxiously looked, and now that it n
lad come, they were preparing to improve
t. Each dolned a heavy cloak, under
me Of which was concealed burglars
= Assicd themselves thVt I