Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-02-21
but Milly cared not, for it only made the

"How strange! Who can that be at
our door in this wild night?" she said to
herself, as she rose and went into the lit
tic entry.
The rapping was repeated.
"Who is thereY' she asked.
"For heavens sake, let me in; am
freezing to DEATH" was the reply.
"Who are you, and how came you in
this lonely place on such an evening as
this ?"
al am traveller from below; I lost my
way, and am dying with cold. For pity
sake let me in or shall perish !"
Milly hesitated. She was alone, and
it was three miles to the nearest neigh
boris. What should she do She paused
in perplexity.
90, save me-save me! am dyingW
were the words that met her hearing
There was heavy fall against the sill,
and low means. Her woman nature
could stand no more: true to the instinct
of her being, she unbarred the door and
threw it open. A closely mufflcd figure
reeled by her into the room, and shutting
the door she followed. On reaching the
fire place, the stranger threw off his dis
guise, and stood erect and strong, with
out sign Of inconvenience from the
effects of the weather Milly retreated
from him in amazemet; but recovering
herself, and putting the best face on the
matter, she tremulousl y addressed the
man:
81 am sorry, sir, you are SO cold. 1t
is bitter night to be abroad. Will you
not sit by the fre?' and she pushed a
chair forward.
The man made no response but stoop-
ing over, ran his fingers through the
blaze. Then he turned and stared at her
with look that made her blood run cold.
A bright thought came into her head
She would pretend that there were others
in the house, for she already felt afraid of
the man, and bitterly regretted having
admitted him.
Would you like to see some Of the
men folks, sir?" she inquired. "lf SO /
will call them from their beds"
The man laughed hoarsely and replied:
"Milly Dean. Tor that l believe is your
name, you cannot deceive me. You are
all alone in this house, took particu-
lsr care to ascertain that before came
SO you may as well make yourself easy
upon that point and do as | bid you"
"Do MS you bid me-" exclaimed Milly
in terror; "what do you want Of me?"
81 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 wrist and dragged her roughly back.
"Gou cannot escape me young woman,
he said. You will find it most conve-
nent to make clean breast OF it at once
1t will be better for you.
Milly strovo to release her arm. The
temper and indignation overcome all other
feelings.
"Let me go, you scoundrel, let me go,
or will call for help" she cried.
"CaIl, you fool, said the brutal fellow,
"and much good may it do you. Keep
yourself still and tell me where the money
is"
Il viii not" she exclaimed, her eye
flashing fire.
"You will not" ho replied; eve shall
see"
lie released her wrist so violently that
she recled half across tho room. Then
he seized the sleeping infant from its
into the blazing fire, so that the terrified
mother expected to see its light garment
catch the flame.
"Now, then, where is the money!
Speak ont quick or hear your babe shrek
with pain. l will burn it to death before
your eyes if you do not tell me where the
money is?'
Monster, give me my child" shrieked
Milly, endeav voring to reach the little one
"Let me have my baby"
But every effort was frustrated, foi
again and again the strong hand of the
robber thrust her back.
"Seo its clothes will be on fire in Il
minute" said the man putting tho help
less innocent closer to the flame. The
mother looked into his eyes. She saw
there the look of heartless determination
She became aware that the cotton gar
mcnts of the child were smoking with
the heat.
"lIow shall it be?" asked the ruflian
Hurry, or the child dies. have nC
time TO waste here"
Anything, anything, only give me my
child !" she cried, The next instant il
was handed to her. and she sank upon til,
floor and folded it to her bosom.
, "Comc," exclaimed the man, touching
her rudcly with his foot, "you have no
told me whore the money is"
"ln the box on the upper shelf" she
replied, pointing to the closet.
The man found the box, placed it oil
the table. and opened it saying:
$50 far we'll 1t il nearly all gold,
will pocket it withgour leave or without
your leave just as you plessor lie filled
his pockets with the golden coin, ant
threw the empty box in the fire. Ther
he came and stood beside her.
"Put your baby in the cradle, " he said
"if you wish to save its life. l hav,
other business with You"
"What do you mean" cried Milly
cycling the man with suspicion,
"het mo have him." he said, trying I,
take it,
mo, no; will put the baby in tn