Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-04-17
speech without words /;
OR, HOW A BURGLAR WAS CAUGHT.

OR, HOW a bl hhl.Ak hAc fAl 'ali|
vii tell YOU a story of how once saved
INV life entirely through having learned the
deaf and damb alphabet
There were two little boys who used 10
come to stay with Frank and me, when We
were first married. and they could neither
hear nor speak
They were deaf and dumb thsy could not
talk. except with their fngers-so-Oniy ey-
sr so much quicker.
Frank and learned this foreign alphabet
on uurpose that we might understand what
they said. They were quick and clever
they could read and write, and draw and
-.w. and do many ether things which most
bows would make a very bad hand at
They could play at draughts, and back
yamm0n. and chess, and ar fox and geese, as
well as any boys. They could almost see
what we said. although they could not hear,
with such quick. eager eyes did they watch
every movement of cur lips. We soon,
however, got to talk rs easily with our fin
gers a. with our tongues and sometimes,
when the lads were not with us. Frank and
used to converse in that manner wh6n We
were alone, for practice.
1t happened upon one occasion that he hau
to 90 to London on important bushes he
was TO have gone by an afternoon train, but
something delayed him, so that he was not
able TO leave before the night express.
was not in very good health, and retired
to nv bedroom about two hours before his
departure he promised, however, to come
up and wish me good-by before he started,
which would between twelve and one o'clock
in the morning. The matter which had call
cd him away was connected with the bank
here. which had Just been burned down
and nv husband, it seems, although did
not know it Al the time-sO great secret
had he endeayoled 10 keep it-had many
thousand pounds belonging to the concern in
his temporary possession. locked uP IN the
iron safe in our bedroom, where the plate
vas kept He was bank manager, and res
qsble for the whole Of ii. 1t was a cold
and there was q fire in the room, SO
t--;SL+ nd comfortable that | was In no hur-
u 10 it 10 get INTO bed, but sat up look
, - 80 tho fiery Goals. and thinking about
III - &c +l,i. 0gs upon ths long journey
Fr.nt had To tas e that night, and Of how
-, The 5a1-s v, Nuld seem until be return
"a a5d in narticular. how lonely should
Col in that rrear room all By myself when he
sbo,ld be away-for we nreSaiql cow
ard. 1t was little after ell even CLOCK "heh
| oot into bed. but did not feel the least IN
cli1ed to sleep even then. l knew that
Frank would be comingto wish me g0Sd Dy
presently and besides there seemed 10 DE
all sorts of noises about the room, when nay
foolish ears always used to hear whenever
alone at nighttime. :.
ia little SCOT fell down the chimney, IL
was | thought, great black crow at least
which would soon be flying about the room
and sitting on my pillow; ifa mouse squeak,
ed in the wainst0t it was the creakng ol
some dreadful persons shoes coming up stars
to kill me with carving knife and II the
wind blew the easement, It was some person
irving to geti at the window, although II
was two stories high.
You nav imagine, then, my horror, when
/ heard a tremendous sneeze within an inch
r,f me. lust behind the head-board OF the bed
and between that and the wall, where there
was a considerable space. had, as usual
taken the precaution, before put the cahdi
ont. Of looking everywhere IN the room
where it was quite impossible any PerSo
~, uI4 be hid but the little alcoVe lh'
wi ,rb, 'ch t5e bed was pushed | had never !.
much a thought Of looking into' although
was eat4s4l hiding place for anybody. nv
or since | s.sEE in that room. in short, ma
been ike tle ostrich, who puts hls head
the sand an then iu.agines himself in security
had piqued inyself upon precautionar
measures that, after all. might Just as vel
bave been ON itted. The only thing, | be
l;ere which say ed my reason from departin
aI+oaetber. when heard that terrible sound
was that nv mind elung to the hops that
NIGHT he. after all, the sneeze Of a cat. fft
nats together could not make half such di
enhance IT is true, Cor it was the sneeze Of
nan who sneezed in spite Of hinseif, and a
most shook the house; but the idea sustain
ed me over the first shock.
The next instant the wretch had sneez
ar.in. and pushing aside the bed, whieh r. r
Ia an castors. | felt he was standing besi
INV nilIow looking at me. If he had gu,
onlv one sneeze. he might, perhaps, have
Teyed nc asleep. as lay quite still, brea'
ing as regularly es | could, and pretending
be: but he reasoned very Justly, that unl'
I was deaf or dead must have been awake
cd by the sound.
"iou re awake, marm.' said he, in gr
voice, "and it's no use Of shamming If
don't want a tap with this lite-preeerv
Just look alive !,
| opened my eyes exceedingly wlde at tn
and beheld man with Grape over his ia
standing by the bedside; he had club,w
two knots upon it, in his right hand, a
with his left he pointed 10 the safe.
mIs the money there?" said he.
"The plate is" said I, in tremul
voice; "pray take it, sir; am sure you
very welcome !" for he might have eve
thing of value in the room, with all
beart, so long as he saved nay life