The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-08-28
AN ADVENTURE WITH A RoBBER
By PAUL cREYToN.-sELEcTED.


The Smiths, of Smithville, had for long
time been very much annoyed by the depre-
datinns of some unknown individual, whose
confused ideas concerning the rights o. prop
eriy, led to the abstraction of divers goods
and chatlels from the premises OF the said
Smiths. in furtiye and mysterious manner.
Bags of wheat and oats vanished from the
granary, pork from the cellar, and corn from
the crib; in one night sheep that had just
been slaughtered cDolly trotted away. and on
another occasion several gallons of maple
syrup evaporated in nighttime. Milking
stouls wen, off on three legs, and MIR. Smiths
best axe was found to have scout sticks"
Log chains became rattlesnakes and crept
of; iron wedges made splits in the Smith
property; boots walked away, and, "Jack .
rode off with the " -horse."
Vain were all the efforts of the elder and
younger Smiths to discover the mystery Of
these dlsappearances, and to entrap the Of
lender Despairlng OF bringing him to jus
tlce, the Smiths found they could do no more
than to take measures 10 ensure the safety Of
their property. Accordingly the Smiths built
a new granary, with strong walls, narrow
grated window and heavy oaken door, to
which was attached formidable paddock.
The prisoner like portion Of the barn was suf.
feiently large to allow the Smiths to lock up
with the grain great deal Of portable prop.
erty. such as was most likely to tempt the
cupidity Of thieves.
Alter the granary was finished, a month
passed. during which time the depredations
of the r0bber or robbers were confined TO the
orchards or hen r00sts, when, late one san.
day evening. the elder Smith, as he was sit
ting tipped against the kitchen wall. smok
ing his pipe, preparatory to retiring, be-
thought him that he had neglected to lock
the granary before leaving the barn. This
was by no means singular circumstance,
considering that the granary was usually
locxed by the younger Smith, who had that
night "gOne c0urting."
II was moonlight evening. and Mr.. Smith,
on approaching the barn, was considerably
startled at seeing the large door sjar. Ger
tain Of having shut the door an hour before,
Mr. Smith thought of robbers. His suspi-
cions were confirmed, when, on a nearer ap-
proach. he plainly heard movement in the
barn. Too cautious 10 endanger his life by
boldly attacking the robber, Mr.. Smith, witt,
considerable trepidation, resolved to watch
his movements and discover who he was.
Looking through crack on the east side
Of the barn, he saw dim, ghnstIike figure
glide scross the floor towards the granary.
A happy thought entered Mr.. Smiths brain.
Stealing into the barn, he erept silently along
by the NOV until near the granary, when
elap.-he shut the door, adjusting the pad
lock, turned the key, and was of as if for his
/ life.
II was impossible to say what made Mr.
Smith tremble so. Ii might have been the
smothering cry Of alarm which issued from
the gtanary walls in way fully calculated
TO awaken suspicious fears. But Mr.. Smith
never owned he was as white as ghost, Of
as white as they are supposed to be.
What's the matter!" cried Mrs. Smith
"fye caught the robberi" calculated Snli
in breath. !" lie is locked up in the gran,
airy. Give me my boots"
Why, what-what are you going q dof'
"Ge, help! He's desperate fellow, anc
i will be dangerous TO meldle with him a,
lone
II is impossible TO describe the excitement
Of Mr.. aud Mrs. Smith on that memorabl,
occasion. The latter took il on herself /,
load the old mu.ket while the husband wen
lor the neighbors
Mr.. 5. changed his slippers FOR his boots
and ran first to Deacon Naiiles's, where b,
expected TO find the younger smith, who wa,
lcourtIng Nafle.'s daughter. lie was sur,
.pfisrd TO find the house all dark--as il III,
Saiiies had retired 70 rest and blown the can
dies out. lie knocked, however. furiOusl,
a. the occasion required. After some delay
Deacon NaIiles came down in his night dress
stared al Smith 10 astonlshment. and demand
Cd his business at that time of night.
"Caught the thirl--locked up 10 the gran
sry--where's lnereasei"
" la! caught the theft" cried Deacon
Nailles. who. having lost some property a,
we'll as his neighbor, was interested 10 III,
intelligence.
Good enongh! Keep him ,ill morning
"rwon't do replied Smith in an eSclt
ed manner. Hes desperate fellow
break out-l must raise the neighbors-
where's my son Increase Z"
"Oh. Sally il sick tonight, 50 Increase
courted only an hour, and went home"
Went home!'
"Yes," said the Deacon. about an houI
ago."
The elder Smith elapped his hand to hi,
forehead. as fhe had been struck BY an idea
Or some weighty substance.
"Gracious!" he exclaimed.
"What" asked the Deacon.
IL believe" stammered the elder Smith
I"I-l have locked up"
" Whoir
"lncreaset''
"rll bet you havel" cried the Deacon
81 heard him say he had got 20 carry the
buggy cushions into the CANARY before he
vent to bed"
Look here" whispered The elder Smith
l"l beg of you never 10 mention lhis--l-l--
Iif ii should get OUT"
"Oh. I will keep the secret!'' interrupted
The Deacon, trying to preserve becoming