The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-11-18
A Thrilling Adventure with a Burglar.

One of the most remarkable and thrilling
incidents that has ever come to our knowl-
edge took place about four O'Clock Thurs
day morning, at the Office of DR.. Dostie, the
dentist, on Baronne street, between Canal
and Common. And certainly braver con-
duct was never exhibited than was displayed
on the occasion by a lad about fifteen
years of age, who attends to Dr. Dostie's
Office, or, rather, is kind of assistant to the
Doctor.
About four o'clock in the morning
James awoke, and thought he heard some
one in the courtyard. He listened eagerly,
and in minute he heard foot crunch some
pieces of coal. He concluded at once that
it was too late to do any thing, as the per-
son must be within two or three steps of
his bed, the door leading directly from the
foot of the cot into the courtyard. At the
the time there was faint light that enabled
the lad to see what the person would do, and
in another minute he did see something tnat
was amply sufficient to set the nerves of
most people tingling, if not scare them out
right.
With eyelids opened merely to line, as
it were, young Meagher saw the robber, who
had stepped to the side of his bed, look
through the musketo bar, and bend his
head down to listen if the occupant of the
bed betrayed signs of being awake. The
scrutiny satisfied him, for he then took a
piece of candle from his vest pocket and
lighted it with a match. The fellow was
more cautious than to trust to the first in-
spection, for when he made the light he
raised the musketo bar, and put his head
under, holding the light in one hand and a
bowie-knife in the other, the blade lying
against the fOrepart of his arm. The lad
presumed it was BOWEL knife he held, as
he detected the glitter of STEEL James
preserved an appearance as if he slept, and
he had terrible motive to aid him in
doin so, for he feared that any sign of wake
fulness shown by him would have been mur-
derously visited upon him
Fully satisfied with the last examination,
the burglar stealthiy and slowly passed into
the apartment adjoining the laboratory, at
each step turning toward where James lay,
and listening intently. He went into the
front room, where the Doctors instruments
and escretoir were. When the burglar en-
tered the front room, the boy, with daring
and GOODNESS that would have done credit to
man OF mature years, got out of bed and
made across the room which the thief had
just left, to the drawer where the pistols
were and got one in each hand. The noise
the lad made was heard by the burglar, who
rushed back into the room he had left, and
made at the boy with knife upiifte6, and his
LETT hand at pistol which he had by his
side. Meagher was equal to the emergency,
for he stood firm before the fellow, and hold
ing a pistol in each hand, presented them at
the thief.
The burglar did not dare to advance, but
retreated slowl y through the room and into
the laboratory, followed by the lad with his
pistols extended. He had succeeded in
cooking one of the Derringers only, but he
hesitated to fire, lest he might miss. As
the burglar went into the laboratory, he fell
over chair, but before the lad could decide
upon shooting, the thief was upon his pins
again, making out into the court and climb.
!ng up the ladder. Then the boy tried what
work the Derringer could do, and fired at
the rObber as he was trying to get over the
wall. The ball unfortunately missed the
fellow, went through the door, ana struck
the brick wall on the opposite side OF the
alley way.
The ball must have gone close, and GER
tainly disconnected the burglar, for he fell
headforward from the ladder, not stunned
though, for he rushed to the door, undid the
lock and latch, and escaped into the alley
way.
The lad says be could have shot the thief
after he fell from the ladder, but he was not
able to cock the second pistol. James also
ran into the alley way, but the burglar ran
at two-forty pace and got into the street.
He must have had pal for the boy heard
some running from the alley way after,he
fred.-N. O. Delta, 9Th inst.