The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-02-17

he was to have gone by an afternoon train,
but something DELAYED him, no that he was
not able to leave before the night express
was not in very good health, and retired to
my bedroom about two hours before his de-
parture; he promised, however, to come up
and wish me goodbye before he started,
which would 6c between twelve and one
o'clock in the morning. The matter which
had called him away was connected with the
bank here, which had just been burnt down:
and my husband, it seems, though did not
know il at the time-so great q secret had
he endeavored to keep it-had many thou
sand pounds belonging to the concern in his
temporary possession, locked up in the iron
safe in our bedroom, where the plate was
kept. He was bank-managcr, and response
BILE for the whole of it. 1t was winter-time,
and there was q fire in the room, 30 bright
and comfortable that vas in no hurry to
leave it and get into bed, but sat up, looking
into the fiery Goals, and thinking all sorts OF
things upon tho long Journey Frank had to
take on that night, and of how dreary the
days would seem until he returned; and in
particular how lonely should feel in that
great room all by myself, when he should be
away for was dreadful coward. II was
q little after eleven O'Clock when got into
bed, but did not feel inclined to sleep even
then; knew Frank would be coming to
wish me goodbye presently; and besides,
there seemed to be all sorts of noises about
the room, which my foolish ears always used
to hear whenever was alone at night
time.
Ifa little SCOT fell down the chimney it
was, thought, great black crow at least,
which would soon be flying about the room,
and settling my pillow ifa mouscsqucak-
ing in the wainscOt, it was the creaking OF
some dreadful PERSONS shoes coming up stairs
to kill me with carying-kniie and il the
wind blew ut the easement, it was somebody
else trying to get in at the window, although
it was two stories high. You may imagine,
then, my horror when | heard tremendous
sneeze within quarter of an inch ofmc, just
behind the head.board of the bed, and be-
tween that and the wall, where there was a
considerable space. ! had, as usual, taken
the prccaution, before put the candle out,
of looking everywhere in the room where it
was quite impossible any person could be
hid /; but in the little alcOve into which the
bed was pushed had never SO much as
thought of looking, although that was q
capital hiding-placc for anybody. Ever since
| had slept in that room, in short, I had been
like the ostrich, who puts his head in the
sand, and then imagines himself in perfect
security. / had piqued myself upon pre-
cautionary measures that, after all, might
Just us well have been omitted. The only
thing, as believe, which saved my reason
from departing altogether, when first heard
that terrible sound, was that my mind clung
to the hope that it might bo after all, only
the sncczc of cat. Fifty cats together,
could not have made half such disturbance,
it is true, for it was the snceze of man who
sneezes in spite of himself, and almost shook
the house; but the idea sustained me over
the first shock. The next instant the wretch
had sneczed again, and pushing aside the bed
which rolled ON casrors, fo.. was standing
beside my pillow lookingat me. If he had
only given one sneczc, he might perhaps
have believed me, as lay quite still, breath
ing as regularly as could, and pretending
to be asleep; but he reasoned, very justly,
that, unless was deaf or dead, must have
been awakened by the second
"You'ro awake, marm, saidhe, in q gruT
voice, 'and it's no use ofshamming IL you
don't want tap with this liic-preserver, just
look alive
Il opened my eyes exceedingly wide at this,
and behcld a man with Grape over his face,
standing by the bed; he held sort of club,
with two knobs upon it in his right hand,
and with his left he pointed to the iron safe.
is the money there !? said he.
"Thc plate is said /, in n trcmulous
voice; pray, take it, sir; am sure you are
very welcome;' for he might have everything
of value out of the house with oil my heart,
so long us he left me my life.
"Thc money-thc gold-thc notrs-are
they therc?' cried he again, in n terrible sort
of whisper.
"lt's all there rcpliedI, although knew
nothing about it; 'all except iiitecn-and-six-
pence in my purse, on the drcssing-table yon-
der. Theresa silver mustard-pot besides in
the pantry, and couple of candlcsticks in
tho study, only they are plated, for | would
not deceive you, sir, upon any account
"You had better not, observed the burglar
grimly, 'or it will bc all the worse for you
lie produced key like that my husband used,
and approached the iron safe J: but rs he did
50, his guilty ear caught lootstcp upon the
stairrdsc. who's thatT cried he.
MY husband, sir. returned | 'but, pray,
don't hurt him; pray
"ls he MT gone to town, then y cried the
rufrian, with an oath of disappointment.
"lIc is going ut twelve O'clock replied
| ; he is inlccl.'
"Ir YOU tell him, said tho burglar, hoarse-
"; .ifyou breathe one word of my presence,
here it will BE- the death doom Of you both;'
hc had slipped into the alcove, and drawn
hack the bed again to its place in an Instant.
NV husband entered Immediately aiterward,
and even while he was in the room heard
the awful threat repeated once again through
the thick curtain behind me: 'lf you do
but whisper it, woman. will killyo where
you lie. Will you swear not to tell him p
al will, said /, solemnly; Il promise not
to open my lips about the natter
Frank leaned over the pillow to kiss me,
and observed how terrified looked.
"You have been frightening yourself
about robbers again, l suppose, you silly
child
"Not I, Frank returned I, as chcerfully
as could; Il have only little headache :
but said with my fingers, so that he could
plainly read 1t in the freight: For Gods
sake. hush ,6m there's a man behind The bed
heddl'
Frank was as bold as lion, and had
nerves like iron, although he was 80 tender
hearted and kind. lie only answered, where
is your sal-volatilc, dearest?' and went to
the mantlc-piccc to get it. thought he
never could have understood me, he spoke
with such coolness and unconccrn, until
saw his fingers reply as he took up the bottle,
Al right; dont6c dfraid' And then was
not afraid, orat least not much for knew