The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1870-07-07

, ! y
hat without an effort to save it, and
10 have at least some clue to the
IDENTIFY Of the thief | confess, how
ever, that this last consideration was
DOT very strong one, and am afraid
that if | could have seen my way
clear to an escape from the room
and the house, ! should have fed
lncontinently, without stopping to
see more than that terrible hand.
y moment, which seemed all hour.
passed while these thoughts rushed
through my mind. l lay perfectly
still, with my haIt-closed eyes watch
ing the mirror. Slowly and noiseless-
ly the trig httal band pulled up It's
owner until | could see the head
and face reflect in the glass, and
giaring at me with fierce yet wary
eyes. The man was mulatto, very
dark, with evil passions written in
every lineament. | could scarcely
refrain from shuddering at the sight
OF his hateful visage, and speedily
closed my. eyes 10 shut it out.
| was not yet quite ready for the
ordeal through which | knew | must
soon pass. l intended to move my
nght-stand little out of the way, and
to so arrange the bedclothes that |
could spring from the bed without
impeachment. l therefore gave lit
tie sigh, aud moved as if about to
awake, slightly opening my eyes at
the same time. The head and the
hand instantly disappeared. 1 then
composedly made the desired ar
engagements In the position of the
stand and the changes Of the clothes,
put my watch with the key of the
safe under my pillow-so near the
edge that they could be easily taken
out, as | knew they would BECK
tinguishing one Of my candles, said
my prayers, and closing my eyes, re-
signed myself to my fate, with no
very sanguine or definite hope of ex-
traction from my perilous position.
made my breathing regular, and
a little louder than when I was
awake, and lay with my cheek on
my hand, counterfeiting sleep. AT
last the stiffness became more terri
bic than even my first agony of fear.
Several time | fancied that I heard
soft step approach from the place Of
| concealmeut. AS often was de-
ceived. Then again that dreadful
stiffness III which I counted the tick
ing of the watch through the pillow.
1t was a positive relief when he
came out from behind the curtain,
stopped at the table and stood look
ing at me, as | was well aware,
though my eyes were closed. |
forced myself to breathe regularly
and audibly. He passed the lighted
candle before my face two or three
times. l felt the heat and saw the
light through my closed lids, which
must have quivered though he did
not seem to observe their motion.
Heaven gave me strength not to
move or cry out. Satisfied, appar-
emily, he put back the canllestick
on the stand, and his hand crept
softly and slowly under the pillow,
and one, by one, he removed my
watch and the key of the safe. lie
stood so long looking at me that |
felt impelled 10 open my eyes sud
denly upon him.
As he walked softly toward the
safe, | did partly open them, and
cautiously watched him through my
eyelashes. | heard him fuinbiing
with the lock, and once ne looked
over toward the bed. My eyes were
wide open, but closed them in time
not TO be detected. Watching him
stealthily, / saw him open the door
OF the safe, go back to the stand for
the caodle, and return to the safe,
which he entered without withdraw
ing the key from the lock.
Here was the opportunity for
which | had waited and watched.
| spraDg lightly from the bed, with
one bound reached the safe, dashed
the door to, turned the key, and
with one long and loud shrek fell
PROSTATE and senseless on the floor
Of the dark room.
How long L lay upon the floor, |
do not know-probabIy for few
minutes only--but, as / was uncon.
scious, it seemed, when | came 20
myself, as if the interval had been a
long ,one. | was aroused by bis
blows upon the iron door, and fund
myself weak after the long nervous
tension, but still calm. l remember
the satisfaction with which l thought
while | lay there before rising, that
he could not escape, mingled with a
vague and foolish dread that be
might in his rage burn the valuable
contents of the safe. He pounded
desperately on the door, and swore
feartully at finding himself entrapp-
ed. But, as took no notice of his
outcries he soon grew quiet.
Presently l rose, and lighting q
candle, dressed myself with all pos
sible haste and with trembling fing-
ers, turning often to look at the safe,
from under the closed door of which
| more than half expected to see
blood trickling-why, I cannot tell,
except that my mind was full of ina
ges of horror. l was soon in readi-
ness. / had no means of ascertain.
: ing the time, as he had my watch in
his pocket, and there was no clock
: IN the room. Taking the candle, ]
7 FASTENED to arouse Dinah, who, as !
, shook her, slowly opened her eyes,
and with scarcely any more than her
| usual slowness pronounced her for,
7 mala: We'll, Miss Lille, what shall
hy-Lord a massa what's de mat.
ter wild de chile? You amt seen a
ghost-have you, honey ?"
"No, Dinah but I've seen some,
thing worse than a ghost. I've
7 caught robber, and he's in the
safe. What time is it ?" and looking
| at the clock that licked slowly and
deliberatel y-as how could Dlnsh's
5 clock help doing ?-I saw to my
; great relief that it was almost md
, night.
, We had scarcely got down stairs
when | heard the sound of wheels
1 A moment more, and my husband
: was In my arms, listening with
, amazenent to rapid narrative Of
t my singular adventure. Iwould not
/, suffer him to open the safe until Sllas
a had summoned assistance from the
5 neigh bering houses. | feared thai
: my desperate prisoner might still es
cape. When the safe was opened
: there sat my burglar on the trunk
half supplied for want of air, knife
! in one hand, the package of none,
! in the other, aud the burned on
+ candle at his feet. He was recog
$ nized as al old offender, who hat