The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1868-08-13
A mIDNiGur ALARM.

A MIDNiGHr ALARM.
live 10 the outskirt of tia city, in
house standing pretty much by itself,
and as have heard a good deal, Of late
house breaking ia various quarters, |
make it a rule to see that all our doors
and windows ore properly fastened at
night before retiring 10 rest, In addition
to this slecpin room so situated that
ifauy of the doors wero attempted to be
forced would be almost sure to bear
the noise.
Two nights agoI awoko, l think it
must have been about midnight, with
the impression that some noise had bro
ken my sIumber, After listening for
minute heard sleallhy noise as Of
some one using wrcaching instrument
against either door or window, |
crept to my own room door, and soou as.
oerlained that the noise proceeded not
from the front, but tho basement, and
could hear quite distinctly the cautious
working oIa chisel, SO faras | could
guess, against tho lower door.
] quickly put on my dressing gown,
and stole as gently as | could along the
passage 10 the point near the few steps
which led dOwn to the basement, and
from which l could SEQ the door, while
| was screened from observation myself.
| say could see the door. while in real
ity it was SO pitch dark that could see
nothing, butl thought the robbers might
probably have light with them, and
that the position had taken up was.
consequently, the only safe one. was
determined 10 wait unit tho villains had
partly elEicted their purpose, and was
fairly inside the door, and then, pouncing
out upon them, deal as many heavy blows
as could with great stout stick which
| held in my hand, and make one Of
lhem-sbould there bs more than one
a prisoner. knew how cowardy such
wrelcbes generally are. and that one
strong arm, coming unexpectedly upon
them, might put to flight whole dozen.
After some minutes, during which the
noise was repeated several limcs. but
wi,hoa! effect | heard them commence
the regular working of a saw or Gle, !
could not tell which. 1t was worked
very cautiously. and discontinued at in
teryals, as ifto allow time for listening
The ruHians. thought, have determined
to DO their work, but they will fud me
prepared Ior Them.
Altbis moment | waO startled with
new Dose-lho opening ola door by ny
sido. l booked around, A light slrenmei
from the servants donr whis9 s43 s&oV
y opened, ond the girl appeared with the
candle IN her hand. I,oreOur'o, thought
she Too had heard the noise which had
disturbed me, and was about to alarm
tie household. therefore motiOned her
to silence, when 10 my surprise, without
appearing to notice me, she glidcd swift
| Iy across the passage, and, decending
lt!o stairs, stood at the door from whence
tho noise was proceeding. Inow heard
her whisper softly, while at The same
time tue deeper muwbling Of a mans
ioiGO came from the outside,
Although had remained quite cool
hitherto, tho blood now almos. rroze in
my veins, for this was o girl of whom We
all had a very high opinion, aud up to
this time would have trusted with all,
and the idea OF hoT cOncoriing with rob
bors at tho decd hour Of night Mortified
mo very much, After few minutco sho
turood around and began rcasoo1diag
The stairs, Whilo she did so ! was struck
with tho expression Of her Taaturos,--
ThOO was a TigjdiIY about them moro