The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-06-30
My First Burglar Adventure.
By A cIvII. ENGINEER's WIFE.

''YOu won't be afraid to stay alone to-
night 2" said my husband, as he kissed
me, and wished me good bye.
'tNO,' l answered, 81 don't think
shall be afraid; but, at the same time,
should feel better satisfied if you were in
the house, or the money out of it -
He laughed and said, 81 am sorry to
leave you, dear, but don't suppose there
is any danger, though fear it is pretty
generally known that the long looked for
money to pay off the men arrived TO day
Perhaps | should not tell you this; but"
he said, patting me on the cheek, ''you are
brave woman, and thieves are always
cowards."
So, with another kiss, he left me. We
had been settled at Miltown, in Canada,
for about six months; they were running
new line of railroad through the town,
and my husband was chief engineer of
the party. Ailtown was a pretty little
place, but somewhat scattered, so that we
had no immediate neighbors but upon
one side there was an apple orchard back,
and In front of us, open spaces and up
on the other side the church, large,
wooden building, whose white back arose
perhaps thirty feet from the side OF our
pretty little cottage, which l believe had
formerly been the Parsonage. tel! you
this, SO that you may better understand
the rest Ofmy story.
After my husband left, called Maggie,
my maid Of work, and told her to close
the kitchen windows and lock the back
door, meanwhile doing the same myself
to the front of the house. My husband,
ever thoughtful, had brought me home a
new book and, once absorbed in its coll
umns, forgot that was alone, with
Maggie, green Irish girl of perhaps six.
teen, and with considerable sum Of
money in the house. The evening passed
quickly away and much to my surprise,
as finished the last sketch in my paper,
heard the clock strike twelve Time
for bed, | thought; for / knew it was use
less to wait up for my husband, who,
having been called away on important
business, would probably be unable to
return until the next day 80 went to
the kitchen to rouse Maggie whom found
nodding over the fire, afraid to go upstairs
until l went.
''Come, Maggie, said. 81 am going
to bed now"
bad scarcely spoken the words when
| heard cautious footstep in the front
piazza. l listened. Had my husband
come 7 Again | heard it, and then the
door knob softly turned. took off my
slippers, and went noiseleesly to the front
door and listened; the steps sounded again
in the piazza, and then | heard them in
the crisp snow, as they went round the
house.
$50 you are going to try the back door,
| thought. "WelL you won't get in there,
for we are safely locked up, / know"
But the next minute / thought with
horror of the windows that faced the back
of the church, which had no fastening of
any kind. Maggie was white with terror,
and commenced wringing her hands and
crying.
''Och Its murdered we are entirely !"
she exclaimed.
''Cease your noise,'' l said, more forcis
bly, than elegantly.
must see about those side windows,
for well knew the next trial would be
there, and that it would be an easy
matter to reach them, as they were not
far from the ground AS 1 again enter
ed the parlor and drew up the Windows
blind, caught the reflection of myself
upon the white back of the Methodist
church opposite. Quick as a flash, 1
dropped the blind again.
"Run, Maggie" said, ''and get lne
my husbands old great coat from the
hall, and that old hat of his which hangs
behind the kitchen door, Quick !" said,
as she hssitatod, afraid to venture alcnc.
At the same time, l looked eagerly
round for something that would have ;he
appearance of a revolver. found what
l wanted-the case of my husbands meer.
schaum pipe.
.sJust the thing," said, seizing it.
BY this time Maggie bad returned
bringing me the old coat and hat ant
stood with open eyes and mouth regarding
me as hastily dressed myself in them.
"Now open the window wide," said
to the wondering Maggie.
She tremblingly obeyed. took m
place directly between tbe lamp-whic
l had turned up so it would burn bright
ly-and the window, and saw, with
thrill of JOY, tbs shadow of my own hgur