The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1861-03-21


when he got upon his legs again. the
door was closed and locked--Mr. Smith
a prisoner. l leave the reader to ima-
glne his feelings.
Meanwhile Increase was raising his
forces to assist iu taking the thief out OF
the granary IN safety. Having FIRST told
his story to Mrs. Smith, who was greatly
astonished, he hastened to alarm Joe
Ferris, g stout fellow who lived in the
woods near by, and who complained OF
losing quite as much property as the
Smiths. Mrs. +. put her head out of the
window and wanted to know what In
crease wanted? The man asked for Joe.
After some hesitation the woman replied
that her husband had the headache, and
could not get up. as'f.,5 ~
"But we have got the robber caught" !"
"Oh. have you?" said Mrs. Ferris in
feeble voice. How fortunatel But
as my husband has the headache, think
you had better keep tie man till morn
ing"
Newell have him to night" cried
Increase, and away be ran.
Now if the younger Smith thought he
was regsling Mrs. Ferris with glad IT,
dings. he was considerably in error. The
truth is. in closing the window she was
as pale as death. The reader may guess
the cause Of her agitation when l inform
him that there was NJ Joe Ferris sick
with the headache in the house.
But Mrs. Ferris was woman of ems
ergy and decision. She caught up q
hammer, threw a shawl over her head.
and left the house. She was .oon in Mr.
Smiths barn, with her band on the gran
ary door.
"Joseph." she whispered.
No reply. @ s .e4
"Joseph, it is me; are you here shs
added, knocking at the door. -.--s.s.-s
"Let me OUT" said voice within.
Without any further delay, Mrs. Fer
ris, having thrown the barn door wild,
open, SO that se could see to perform
her operations, commenced hsmmerin,
the paddock in most destructive man
ner.
Now, Mr.. Smith, who was within wa
exceedingly astonished at what he heard
He certainly wished to get out, but hat
no desire to see the paddock smashed
without first tying other means. Some
thing like the truth flashed upon his mind
however, when he reflected that the per
son who was breaking the lock had eallet
him Joseph, and that the voice was re
markably like that Of woman's. Witt
great anxiety of mind he waited for th
door to open. .--
AT length the lock was torn away, an,
Mrs. Ferris whispered:
"Come quick, Joseph! There's n
time to lose! They'll be here in min
ute!'
She caught somebody by the arm, ant
somebody followed her out in the moon
light. Then he caught her by the arm
and both stopped, looking each other ful
in the face.
|
Mrs. Ferris screamed, turned pale
than the moonlight, and dropped he
hammer. Mr.. Smith was scarcely les
aston,shed; but. recovering himself, h
said, rather coolly. considering the occa
sion:
"You are out rather late tonight, Mrs
Ferris; allow me to see you home"
She could not refuse his arm. and whe
she saw that he was conducting her t
his house instead Of her own, she had nc
the power to say word or make tn
least resistance.
The good lsdy's feelings on beini
brought before Mrs. Smith, can be NOR
sasily imagined than described. In he
fear and confusion she confessed SEN
very startling facts. and with tears in he
eyes begged her ''kind friends to be mer
ciful and not expose her. Mrs. smit
} recovered her amazement and exclaimed
II never! l never! I never!' and MI
Smith, who was not the least excited {
the three, INDUCED in some equally sen
sible remarks. .-.. -. t
Meanwhile. Joe Ferris. who was the ma
that had taken the younger Smiths plac
lhe granary, and gave it up in turn t
the Elder Smith, went home by a circuit
Gus route, wondering by what sirang
accident he happened to be caught, an
congratulating himself on his escape
He had reached his door, when heariD
bis name called by somebody on the roa
, be turned around and saw three men &C
ing by.
"Joe Ferris, is this you?" cried tn
voice Of the younger Smith. :'Come OF
Il you are ready. I've got Bill Hodg
. and Mr. Blaks, and I think we'll I