Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-10-12
TOWANDA, BRADFORD COUNTY, Pa. OCTOBER r. 1865

: motioned him to the hall-door, and very
G soon Susan was on her knees in the hal
t closely examining the contents of his pack
and trying to strike bargain for some OF
t his goods there was altogether a multi
farious assortment, ballads, some pictures
: in little tawdry gilt frames, boot-laces
combs, rings, brooches, and other femihe
: decorations, but little that was useful
remained in the hall while Susan was en-.
| gagged with him, partly for amusement, as
we'll that did not wish a stranger TO be
there alone with the only servant | could
not help noticing in the man a listless in
: difference about selling his wars, while an
: occasional eagerness was manifestly as
sumed | at first imputed this to the apa-
thy arising from the fatigue until observ-
ed, with considerable uneasiness, restless
movement of his eyes in every direction !;
now glance into the room behind him,
then toward the diningrOom, again up stairs
while, when | once asked Susan what caus-
ed such a bitter wind, that surely she had
not left the back door open, and when she
answered that she was obliged to, the
kitchen smoked so, | thought | could de-
tect at once upon the peddler's face a look
of inquisitive and excited curiosity as he
said,
Smoke, does it? Just let me look at
it and I'll cure it for you"
| instantly and decidedly declined, some
what TO Susans surprise, who would have
admitted him, | doubt not, at once had
but one desire now, to get the fellow out
in fact inwardly trembled with apprehen-
sion until he was clean off and at last to
my inexpressible relief, he gathered up his
. Ia, l,l 4. L.,
purchases, and trudge6 down the walk by
which he had come We both stood in the
window watching him, while two OF three
times he looked back, as though to see if
we were still there, when soon the turn in
the avenue hid him from our view. Susan
renamed with me for a while descanting
on the cheapncss and excellence of the ar
ticles which she had bought gave little
heed TO her econniums uneasy thoughts
about the man were running III my mind,
and told the house maid that | did not all
like his way or appearance. and that | was
sure I'd dream Of him that night. forget
how the rest of the day passed l had
kind of luncheon dinner, and remained at
ter it sitting by the fire in the twilight in a
dreamy doze ; for my cold was oppressive.
/ When Susan lit the candles and drew the
curtains, stirred up the fire, and made the
room look comfortable, took the small
candle that she had to get some work up
stairs At the top of the last flight, and
near the door Of my aunt's room, there was
a sort of arched recess, where cloaks and
other stray articles Of that description
were hung ; and as | reached the landing
| was attracted by the motion Of one Of
/ these a cloak, | believe it was. thought
| remember, that the lobby window must
/ be open, and that a breeze from it shook
the garment. | turned to see, and then, at
loss 10 understand what it could be. | was
about to move into the recess itself to ex-
anime more closely, when | became rooted
/ to the spot on observing quite distinctly
/ the outline Of a figure draped in a dark,
/ heavy wrap of Mrs Osbornes it seemed
/ to me as if he must have hurriedly folded
/ it round him, probably on hearing my step,
! for it was ciumslly managed. One foot
projected, quite uncovered and ! at once
recognized peculiar kind of boot thatI
had noticed on the peddler when in the hall
during the day. | know not how kept
( from instantly betraying the startling dis
cOvery by a loud scream my heart leaped
to my throat, but | gained sufficient com
mand over myself to pass on into my room,
and after a moments delay, returning, |
went down, with as little appearance Of
/ haste as ! could manage, though with a
creeping shudder as | passed by the spot
where the robber was hidden. Near the
/ foot Of the stairs ! met Susan coming up.
Laying my hand on her arm | whispered,
Come with me"
| Unfortunately my pale face SO alarmed
( her that in a loud voice she cried Lord
Miss Maggie, what is it ?"
| Instantly there was rustling sound
overhead, and a mans step. / had but
! time to shrek out, The peddler is up
! stairs run, Susan, run !" and hinging
down the candle, | flew to the front-door,
/ opened it, and dashing out il the darkness,
rushed with frantic speed down the Laurel
! Walk to get assistance from the lodge. |
! had not advanced half a DOZEN yards be-
! fore heard the heavy tread, with its crunch
/ ing sound, on the gravel Of the avenue, in
| as | conjectured, rapid pursuit; this aug
menting peril led me, Of course, to strain
every energy to the utmost in pressing on,
| and ! soon had the satisfaction of hearing
my pursuer dart into the plantations, for
/ the noise of the branches being broken and
pushed aside conveyed to me this welcome
/ assurance. Possibly,as afterward thought,
he never meant to follow me, nor knew at
all which way had gone, for the night
was intensely dark, but may have been
only concerned in efccting his escape after
he had been detected | found Brien, the
gardener, at the gate lodge, and another
workman with him, and brought them back
as rapidly as possible to the house, for
felt anxious about poor Susan, knowing
the fright she must be in. We discovered
her shut up in the coal vault, half dead
with fear. Mrs. Osborne's arrival in the
midst of our consterntion was relief to all
and nothing could equal my auRts distress
when she learned what had happened and
the alarm to which we had been subjected
Even Parks looked grave and uneasy, and
himself that evening suggested the prop
erty Of removing from the house any thing
that might be bolt to plunderers | could
see that Aunt Osborne was relieved from
some concern at this proposal emanating
from the butler himself she had arranged,
she told me in the course Of the evening, to
convey all our valuables Of every kind to
Mr.. Gregory and it was great comfort,
she said, that Parks had now advised the
same, for ii made all matters smooth, We
hot Ind. he Il L..