The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1862-05-24

pSV4lidC CruucnlnS SOunU Oh center "Dl I
boring at one of the lower doors. A bur-
glar was at work, and knew very we'll that
my own effects were the object of his la
bore.
by first consideration was as to my
means of defense, and the time which would
be allowed me for completing them. re-
menQbered with some degree of comfort
that there were three heavy fastenings upon
the outer door, and although knew too
well that each must yield in its turn to the
irresistible implement of the housebreaker,
I calculated that some minutes must elapse
before he could succeed in gaining an en-
trance.
Suddenly the crashing sound ceased;
and for few seconds there was dead ST.
lence, during which my vivid imagination
to me as distinctly as if I had
been an actual spectator, the brawny arm
of the burglar stealthily introduced, and
the bolt in the process of being cautiously
withdrawn. For moment / thought of
initiating clever and successful expedient
said to have been resorted to by person
similarly attacked, who quietly awaited the
introduction of the housebreaker's hand
through his kitchen window shutter, and
being provided with a powerful cord, in
which he had prepared running moose,
slipped it dexterously over the hand, tight
ened it rapidly at the wrist, and fastened it
securely at the other end of the heavy
kitchen table, leaving his visitor outside to
enjoy the dawn and early morning air, while
he quietly returned to bed to finish secure
~ his nights repose. But few moments
reflection convinced me that my best means
of resistance were rather passive than &C
tive, and that I might more safely rely on
them. In the first place, quickly ascer-
tanned that my room had two powerful bolts
beside a heavy lock. had contented my
self on going to bed with turning the key
in the lock, but now endeavored to shoot
the upper and lower bolts; these I found
very much rusted, but with the aid of a
little Macassar oil soon overcame their re-
sistance While was thus employed the
work of the center-bit was again resumed,
and every movement of the housebreaker
was again before me.
now looked round me for some weapon
that might serve me in case of need. and
found tolerably heavy poker, which sat-
;sfed me that had something besides bolts
to rely on. My preparations for attack and
defense being now completed, coolly await
ed the next step of the housebreaker, feel
ing something like tortoise in his she'll, or
like Robinson Crusoe in his lonely citadel.
A slight lowering Of the fame of the can
die from a current of air which rushed up
the staircase and bene cath my door, showed
me that the burglar bad effected his en-
trance: in another moment his footstep was
on the broad staircase. He stepped with
the caution of one proceeding on tiptoe,
with the least possible noise, but having as
cended three or four steps, there was an
apparent halt. knew perfectly we'll what
he was doing, and the measured creak OF
the staircase thenceforward alone gave no.
tice of his approach with shoeiess feet. In
spite Of my preparations, 1t IS impossible
to deny that my heart beat violently. L
relied, however, upon this. namely, that
the burglar being apparently alone, ne would
hesitate to attack man whom he found
awake and vigilant, and who for aught he
knew, might be prepared with firearms, or
prove more than a match for himself IN
point of personal strength or courage; only
upon the supposition of finding me asleep
and unprepared could he have hoped to
succeed in his attack.
The footsteps now drew nearer, and could
be marked advancing along the passage.
They came at last to halt by the door, and
despite of my internal assurance that imme-
ediate personal attack upon me was lmpos-
sible, l found myself irresistibly grasping
my poker in unison with the grasp which
the burglar cautiously made upon the han
die Of my door. Finding. as he probably
had anticipated, that my door was locked,
he lost no time in commencing his opera
tons, with view of introducing himself
into my apartment. The peculiar noise of
the center-bit recommended, and the bur-
glar no doubt thought all was going on
Drosperously for the execution of his nefa-
rrious project. I, however, felt that I could
stand this no longer, and thought it high
time to let him know that was awake and
on my guard. Rising from my seat. and
stepping heavily across the floor, l shouted
in a gruff voice, "Hallo, you scoundrel do
you wish me to shoot you through the
head? Be off; for by heaven ifthat hand
Of yours makes its appearance inside my
door you shall carry away bloody stump
The immediate withdrawal of the center bit
and the hurried retreat of the enemy salts
fed me of the success of my threat; and
having heard the house-door close, and the
retreating through the garden. /
betook myself to bed, and slept soundly
during the few hours still left me.
The hostler came to rouse me in the morn
ing, bringing fly for my conveyance to the
nm. When he found the entrance door un-
bolted. and the panels cut through in three
places, he expected. I believe, to find my
throat cut as a disagreeable sequiter; and
vas infinitely surprised as well as relieved
10 see me up and dressed. and in excellent
health and spirits. I told him briefly how
I had frustrated the burglars attempt; and
As he appeared much interested in the mar