The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-09-23
sTAUNTON VIRGINIA, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER %, 1862

that bound me 1 could save all but my body
refused obedience to my will-not hand,
not finger could I move The robber, tor
there now seemed to be but one in my cham
instead of approaching the chest containing
the money, walked directly toward my bed. l
wonder that what then suffered didn't turn
my head gray at once. The robber who ap-
preached me seemed to be man OF glgantic
stature, and in features more terrible than
anything my mind could imagine. He seemed
clad in loose-fowing robc parted at the
neck, in his left hand he held what seemed to
be a flaming torch, and in his right strange.
looking weapon Of huge size. As be almost
reached my bedside. by protracted and terri
Bile effort broke the spell that bound me,
and in moment I was awake. Instead OF
my grim, gigantic visitart, with his flaming
torch and hinge blundcrbuss. little woman,
none other than my niece, stood before me,
with her long white gown reaching almost to
the floor, the very counterpart of that worn
by my imaginary robber. In her left hand
she held candle, in her right the key OF
the money chest In short, she was the
giant of my dream and my excited imagi-
ton had converted very pretty woman into
frightful monster. .
In moment I was myself again and
significant motion Of my niece's head and
hand imposed silence, was not little puz-
zled. What could it mean didn't re-
main long in uncertainty, for my niece dis
closed in whisper chat three men had en-
tered the house, and ordered her, at the peril
Of her life, to deliver them all the money in
her possession. !.
Danger frequently quickcns our wits, and
in this case think it had that effect with
me. l had it all in a moment. Snatchlng
up an apron that CHANGED to be lying in the
chair by my bedside, directed Mrs. NJ. to
tic it around her body, and in this to place
the money. Then cooking one Of my pistols,
placed It in her right hand, and directed
her to hold the apron in her left, and with
the pistol firmly held in her right, and con-
cealed in the folds of her apron, she was to
descend, and to whichever Of the robbers came
forward to receive the money she was to give
the contents of the pistol. I was to follow
carefully down the stairs, and conceal myself
behind the stair door until she fired; then |
was to spring out Of my hiding place, and
with my remaining pistol, give salute to one
of the remaining two, leaving the disposition
of the third one to be determined by the cir
cumstances.
In far less time than it takes to tell it, this
plan was carried into execution. The few
moments that elapsed after I reached the
foot of the stairs before 7 was signaled to the
scene of action, seemed almost endless
Ill houo annuOh tn
FIRE? That was the rub. So intense was my
excitement, Shat I feared the violent beating
eff my heart would betray my presence. A
few seconds, however, answered the question.
A stunning report told me that Mrs. M.
had done her part, and signaled me TO do
mine As I leaped from my place of con-
cealment, was just in time to see the forms
Of two men rushing out of the door. I dis
charged my pistol at the flying forms. but, 50
far as I ever heard, without effect. Mrs. NJ !.
had made better shot, and had secured her
game. The wounded man lay upon the
floor, grooming. hidiously, apparently uncon-
scious of the glittcring coins that lay in
strange profusion all around him.. Poor
scoundrel he had got far more than ne had
bargained for. On examination found that
he had received very severe, but L didn't
think mortal wound. But the strangest part OF
my story is yet to be told. When stripped
of his disguise, our robber turned ont to be
| no other than the yeritable sheriff himself
arrested in the execution Of deep scheme
Of rascality by the hand Of his own wife
The whole matter was now explained NJ
had conceived plan Of robbing himself OF
large amount of money belonging to the
State, and with this nice sum, he would re-
move to parts unknown, and enjoy his ill-got.
ten fortune. But TIE best laid plans of mice
aud men agapg aft aglec." NJ. recovered
moved to Oregon, and for aught | know, is
still living. Of one thing Ifeel certain
namely: that he will never again trysto rot
himself as long as his wife stands guard