Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-03-14

| mltted him.
"Would you like to see some of the men
folks, sir! she inquired. If SO 1 will call
them from their beds"
The man laughed hoarsely and replied
Milly Dean, for that l believe is your
name, you cannot deceive me. You are
all alone in this house. 1 took particular
care to ascertain that before l came. So
you may as well make yourself easy on
that point ard do as l bid you.
"Do as you bid me-" exclaimed Milly in
terror; "what do you want of me?'
"I want the twelve hundred dollars in
gold your husband received two days ago.
You probably know where it is.''
Milly sprang into the entry and would
have fled, but the stranger caught her by
the band and dragged her roughly back to
the room.
"You cannot escape me young woman y
he said. "You will find it most convent
ent to make clean breast of 1t at once
1t will be better for you"
Milly strove to release her arm. The
rough treatment she received aroused her
temper, and Indignation overcome all other
feelings.
"Let me go you scoundrel, let me go, or
will call for help"
"Call, you fool" said the brutal fellow,
"and much good may it do you. Keep
yourself still and tell me where the mon
ey is"
81 will not" she exclaimed, her eye flash
ing fire.
"You will not" he replied; "we shall
see."
He released her wrist so violently that
she reeled half across the room. Then he
seized the sleeping infant from its cradle,
and held it at arms length almost into the
blazing fire, so that the terrified mother ex-
pected to see the light garment catch the
flame.
"Now, then, where is your money a
Speak quick or hear your babe shrek with
pain. | will burn it to death before your
eyes if you do not tell me where the mon
ey is"
"Monster, give me my child" shrieked
Milly, endeavoring to reach the little one.
"Let me have my baby"
But every effort was frustrated, for a.
gain and again the strong hand of the rob-
Der thrust her back.
"See its clothes will be on fire in min
ute," said the man putting the helpless in
nocent closer to the flame. The mother
looked into his eyes. She saw there the
look ola heartless determination. She be-
came aware that the cotton garments of the
child were smoking with heat.
1How shall it Z" asked the ruffian.
"Hurry, or the child dies. 1 have no time
to waste here"
"Anytbing, anything, only give up my
child !" she cried. The next instant it was
handed to her, and she sank upon The floor
and folded it to her bosom.
"Come," exclaimed the man, touching
her ruaely with his foot, "you have not
told me where the money is"
''In the box on the upper SHELF" she re-
piled, pointing to the closet.
The man found the box, placed it on
the table, and opened it saying:
$50 far well. 1t is nearly all gold. l
will pocket it with your leave or without
your leave just as you please!' He filled
his pockets with the golden coin, and threw
the empty box into the fire. Then he came |
and stood beside her.
"Put your baby in the CRADLE" he said,
''if you wish to save its life. l have 9TH
er business with YOU"
"Wbat do you mean?" cried Milly eye
ing the man with suspicion.
"Let me have him." he said trying to
take it.
"No, no; I will put it in the cradle my
SELF You shall not touch the poor little
thing. "Now sir" she continued, almost
choking with exitement, "wbat do you want
with me?"
After having laid the pretty infant on
its downy place of rest, she stood erect and
awaited the reply.
81 am going to kill you!" said the man.
"Kill mer' she exclaimed, her face grow
ing pale with terror. "Kill me?" she ex-
climed. "What have ever l done that you
should kill me?"
"Nothing, nothing, my dear, only you
know that you have once seen me, and
you will know me again.. And be ad.
vanced upon her.
30, sir, let me live. Have you not done
enough 10 take my husbands money with.
out depriving him of bis wife too?'
l will never say one word against you if
you will spare, me only spare me-!
As she spoke she clasped her hands and
looked imploringly at him.
II am sorry that 1 cannot safely grant
your request" he responded. "There is
no help for it, so come along out of doos."
He reached out his hand to grasp Milly.
But the instinct of selfprescrvation was
strong upon her. She evaded him flew to
the chimney-piece, snatched her husbands
loaded rifle from the hooks on which it
hung, cooked and presented it at the breast
of the robber. Her motions were SO rapid
that before could prevent it, her finger had
pressed tbs trigger and there was an explo-
sion. But with equal readines the man
had stepped aside, the ball passed over his
head and the next instant the grip was on
throat.
~ will teach you how to handle arms"
be said. "You would have killed me, would
you9 I will show you trick worth two OF
that" ... ...s
"Mercy, mercy" cried the terrified wo-