The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-04-26
No. ~.

ttood, and thrust ITO the cashiers hand q
mass of chilly metal which his intuition
rather than his touch recognized as Peleg
Houghton's watch and chain. He had pres
ence of mind enough to conceal it in his
pocket, and then he fired the pistol, and he
heard the sound of flying feet and rattling
wheels as Silas Bixby accostcd him.
: "What in thunder! did he wriggle
away from youP Why didn't you sing out
sooner?"
81 think am getting faint In Heav-
ems name, go quick to my house and re-
lease my wife, and tell her all is safe. The
fright of these shots will kill her.
Foster Houghton sunk into swoon even
as he spoke and only the quick arm of Silas
Bixby saved him from fall on the stone
steps
"See here, boys" said he, eff you have
got those fellows tied up tight, one of you
take Squire Houghton and bring him to,
and I'll go over to his house and unite his
wife before I start after that pesky little
rascal that has got away. If had sup
posed he would dare risk the pistol,
should have hung on to him myself. Mike
you just keep your revolver cooked, and if
either Of those men more than winks, shoot
him where he lies.''
Having thus disposed of his forces and
provided for the guard of his prisoners and
the restoration of the disabled, the COM
mander was off at run.
Half of Elmfield seemed to have been
awakened by the shots, and he was met by
dozen half-clad men and boys whom he
sent on this errand and that, to open the
lookup under the engine house, to harness
horses fol tho pursuit, vouchsafing only
very curt replies to their eager questions as
to what had happened. He was exasperat-
ed on arriving at Foster Houghton's dwell
ling to find the door locked and the win.
dows fastened. So he raised a stentorian
shout of, "It's-all-right-M -Hough-
ton. Robbers-caught- nobody hurt"
separating his words carefully to insure
being understood, and then scud at full
speed back toward the bank again. He
met halfway an excited and talkative little
group, the central figure of which was the
cashier of the bank, restored to life, but
still white as death, and supported by
friendly hands. Assured that Houghtou
himself was now able to release his wife, Blk
by ran on to the green, and in five minutes
more was settled in his gig, and urging his
cheerful little bay Morgan over the road to
Tinborough, mentally putting iuto form his
narrative for the Trumpet as he went.
Thus it came about that it was Foster
Houghton himself who unloosed his wife's
bonds-bending his gray head, as he did
so, to print a kiss of sorrow and sympathy
on her wrinl1led cheek, and leaving tear
there.
"He has escaped" he said, "and is on
the road to the station"
"Will he not be overtaken ?"
81 think not. He has fair start, and
knows what is at stake; and the train
passes through before daylight"
Then the woman's heart, which had
borne her bravely up so far, gave way and
she broke into terrible sobs and the hus-
band who would comfort her was himself
overcome by the common grief, and could
not speak a word Silently they suffered
together, pressing hands, until the enter
ing light of dawn reminded them that
even this day had duties, and perhaps now
phases Of sorrow.
Thay yfopld bear the quick steps of passers
evidenll8 fpli Of excitement over the event
of the night, and talking all together
Thcy could not be long left undisturbed.--
AS they dressed, Foster Houghton-unable
or reluctant to describe the scene at the
bank, as his wife was to ask about it-sud
denly encountered in his pocket the watch,
entangled in its chain.