Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-02-19

W
ly incapable Of doing anything indeed
what could do? | saw them remove
the candle from the lantern, and convert
my inkstand into candlestick. One
proposed lighting the gas, but the other
objected, that, if disturbed, he might be
furried, and turn it the wrong way
They then, with singular qucknoss and
dexteriEy, ransaclsed my desk and cases,
which they opened by means Of skeleton
keys. This done, and the plumber tied
in d handkerchief, the younger Of the
two suggested, with an oatl, th.s'thcy
should finish him
lie approached my bed, drew aside
the curtains, and, though | burst not
look, | felt was gazing in my face. Again
he turned aside and fumblcd in his pock-
ct, as if searching for something.
had all along hoped that by fcigning
sleep | might escape, for | knew, should
struggle ensue, | could not escape,
since they were powerful men, and quite
unarmcd. While he was feeling in my
pocket, / could not help stealing my hand
up to my throat, thinking, at the same
time, how little chance there was that it
would again be used as vehicle for
Christmas cheer. Guess my horror, if
you can, when the elder scoundrcl in an
impatient tone, babe his son make haste
if he meant to do it, and not keep him
waiting there all night"
The young man tumbled over the ar
ticles that had been displaced in their
search for plumber, and not finding what
he sought, inquired, with another oath
what bis father bad done with the knife.
At first. the latter seemed puzzled, and
then informed his son, with an equally
elegant ezpletive, that he had left it on
the pantry shelf down below.
The younger, bitterly cursing him for
a greedy fool, who must begin to eat be-
fore the work was done, bado him fetch
it.
" Well, Bill" replied his parent,
"that ham was stunning, and you know
you couldn't stand those ere checsecaEes
but vert this do for him ?"- handing W
one my pistols.
" Yes, pretty thing fire, kick up {
row, and be scragged for it---that would
pay nicely. Fetch the knife, and hay,
no more jaw; or we shall wake the chaJ
instead of sending him up quietly t,
spend his Christmas in heaven. without
any invitation" lie chuckled, and tn
old fellow seemed equally delighted a
his sons wit; then, taking up the candle
went off to fetch the knife.
All their motions had been so noise
lessly performed and the conversation car
ried on in tone so wonderfully clear
though low, that ] was astonished at IT,,
perfection they had attained in their hor
rid craft During the fathers absence
the son was not idle. He actually looset
the collar of my shirt, and then stood
quietly awaiting the others return.
You couldncyer imagine, unless place.
in similar circumstances, what multitud,
Of thoughts passed through my mind il
few brief minutes. ! verify believe
that every Christmas, with its accompa
niments of fun and feasting at which
had assisted since | was the height of thu
table, was reviewed in turn. Then
thought Of the morrow and the fair gifls
had left, and how, an hour before,
was full Of hope that, ere another Christ
mas came round, I should call one ny
own Still ! found time for earnest
prayer, and to think of all sorts Of expe
dents to escape my impending fate -
Once fancied, now there was only one
to contend with, | might do something
4 but just then the touch Of the muscular
hand on my throat reminded me that Q
movement would cause my instant dcs-
( truction. lnGced, have often wondered
that tho fellow did no. strangle me in bis
impotence. How bitterly did Ircproacl
myself for not raising an alarm when the
footsteps first became audible.
At length the fellow fairly CRASHED
bis teeth with rage, and uttcring q
smothered exclamation Of "hang the tip
pllng beast, he's at that wine again p lac
also left the apartment to recall his tru-
ant parent, and fetch the implement Of
murder.
Now was my time, and you may be-
lieye / lost none. The instant be left
the room, ! was on my feet; noiscIessly
/ approached the door, dashed it to,
turned the key, shot the bolt lighted the
gas, and once more / stood, my heart
ready to leap into my throat With joy and
thankfulness, with my trusty pistols in
my hand.
There was no chance Of their rc-enter-
ing, for their skeleton Keys lay on my
table, and every article Of plumber was
there also; for, intending to return, they
had not conveyed it from The room.
! made noise enough from The window;
my hostess and her damscl, now aroused
joined in The chorus, aud soon, nj the
head Of host Of alarmed noighbors and
a couple Of policemen, We searched the
house from top 10 bottom. One Of the
men | knew had LETT the premises, as
heard him dash open the area ratings,
and down the street; but the elder ruhian
We discovered, stupidity drunk, in the
cellar, tho danger Of bis position moi
having suiiccd to prevent his iEdulging
his fayorite propensity, when temptation
was 50 strong.
We found they had gained admittancc
by cutting away the zinc from the pantry
window, their skeleton keyshaying made
the rest easy.
Bill, the young rufiian, was too well
known to escape detection. he was cap
tured in few hours. and both be and
Ifs f,tba,. ot,avt.., H.. .l4....I