Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1861-02-22

ISaIe, ana sat In c0ntenLMenG peIOTe tut
blazing fire; the flames leaped right joy
fully up the chimney, and the greer
logs sizzed and crackled in the heat like
things of life. Out doors, the wind was
blowing drearily, and the snow falling
heavily; but Milly cared not, for it made
the fire cheerful
There came a rapping at the door. :.
"HoW strangel Who can that be al
our door in this wild night2" she said to
herself, as she rose and went into the
little entry.
The rapping was repeated. ..sr5s,4a
"Who is there?" she asked.
"For heavens sake, let me in; am
freezing to deathl' was the reply.
"Who are you2 and how came you in
this lonely place on such an evening as
this2"
II am traveller, from below; I lost
my way. I ami dying with cold! For
PHYS lake, let me in, or shall psrish!'
Milly hesitated. She was alone, and
it was three miles to the next neighbor's. s.
What should she do2 She paused in
perplexity.
20, save me -savs me, I am dyingP'
we're the words that met her hearing
There was heavy fall against the sill,
and then low means. Her woman ma
ture could stand no more; true to the
instinct of her being, she unbarred the
door and threw it open. A. loosely muf-
fed figure reeled by her into the room,
and shutting the door she followed
On reaching the fire place, the stranger
threw off his disguise, and stood erect
and strong, without sign of inconve-
nience from the effects Of the weather.
Milly retreated from him in amazement;
but recovering herself, and putting the
best face on the matter, she TREMENDOUSLY
addressed. the man:
II am sorry you are~so cold. It is a
bitter night to he abroad. Will yon
not sit by the fre?" and she pushed a
chair forward.
The man made no response, but
STOPPING over, ran his fingers through
the blaze Then he turned aud 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 bit
terly regretted having admitted him.
"Would you like to see some of the
men folks sir?" she inquired. "If so, I
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. l took par
ticular care to ascertain that before I
came. So you may as veil make your
self easy on that point, and do as l bid
you"
"Do>as you bid me-" exclaimed Milly
in terror; what do you want of me?'
Il want the twelve hundred dollars in
gold your husband received for his pro
duce two days ago. You probably know
where it is. -
Milly sprang into the entry and
would have fed, but the stranger caught
her by the wrist and dragged her roughly
back.
"You cannot escape me, young
woman he said. "You will find it
most convenient to make clean breast
of it 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 l will cry for help" she cried.
'"Call, you fool" said the brutal fell
low, t'and much good will it do you
Keep yourself still and tell me where the
money is.
81 will not she exclaimed, her eye
flashing 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 expected to see its light garment
catch the flame
"Now, then, where is the money!
Speak out 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, endeavoring to reach the little
one. "Let me have my baby"
But every effort was frustrated, fol-
again and again the strong hand of the
robber thrust her back.
"See, its clothes will be on fire in a
minute, >, said the man; putting the help
less innocent closer to the fame. The
mother looked into his eyes. She saw
| there the look of heartless determine
tion. She becsme aware that the cotton
garments of the child were smoking with
the heat.
''How shall it be?'' asked the rufian
"Hurry, or the child dies. have nc
time to waste here"
Anything, anything, only give me
my chiId!'' she cried. The next instant
it was handed to her, and she sank upor
the floor and folded it to her bosom.
"Come, exclaimed the man, touching
her rudely with his feet: you have moi
told nae where the money is.''
In the box on the upper SHELF" she
replied, pointing to the closet.
The man found the box placed it or
the table, and opened it, sayingl
$50 far, well. 1t is nearly all gold
will pocket it with your leave or with
out your leave, just as you please?" HI
filed his pockets with the golden coin
and threw the empty box in the fire
Then he came and stood beside her.
'.Put your baby in the CRADLE" b.
said, "if you wish to save its life.
have another business for you"
/ What do you mean?' cried Milly
eyeing the man with suspicion.
"Let me have him." be said, trying tt
take it.
mo, no, I will put the baby in tn
cradle myself You shall not tnnch th,