Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-09-27

Of a pistol. Foster Houghton could
never give clear account of that ter
rible minute in which his conscious
ness seemed partly benumbed. He
took no part in the struggle, but SEEM
ed to be pushed outside the door; and
there, as the tumult within began to
diminish, Silas Bixby came hurriedly
to him dragging masked figure by
the shoulder.
"Houghton. you must help little.
We have got the better of 'em, and
my men are holding the two big fel-
lows down. But the fight is not out of
them yet, and you must hold this little
one three minutes while l help to tie
their hands. Just hold this pistol to
his head, and he will rest very easy"
Even while he spoke Bixby was in
side the door again, and the CLEAN of
light which followed showed that he
had recovered his lantern and meant
to do his work thoroughly.
Foster Houghton's left hand had
been guided to the collar of his cap
tive, and the revolver had been thrust
into his right. There was no ques-
tion Of the composure of the robber
now. He painted and sobbed and
shook, and made no effort to tear
himself from the feeble grasp that con-
fined him.
If the cashier had been irresolute
all his life, he did not waver for an
instant now. He did not query with
in himself what was his duty, or what
was prudent, or what his wife would
advise, or what the bank directors
would think.
Harry" he whispered, hoarsely,
his lips close to the mask, a know
you"
The shrinking figure gave one
great sob. Foster Houghton went
right on without pausing.
"Bixby does not know you, and
there is time to escape yet. | shall
fire this pistol in the air. Run for
your life to your horse there, and
push on to Timborough. You can
catch the train. May God forgive you.
The figure caught the hand which
had released its hold as the words
were spoken, and kissed it. Then,
turning back as if upon a sudden i'm
pulse, the robber murmured something
which could not be understood, and
thrust into the cashiers hand a mass
of chilly metal which his intuition
rather than his touch recognized as
Peleg HOughton's watch and chain.
lie had presence of mind enough to
conceal it in his pocket, and then he
fred lis pistol, and he heard the
sound of flying feet and rattling
wheels as Silas Bixby accosted him.
What in thunder! did he wriggle
away from ye? why didn't you sing
out sooner?"
a think | am getting faint. In
Heavens name 60 quick to my house
and release my wife and tell her all
is safe. The fright of these shots will
kill her"
Foster Houghton sunk in a swoon
even as he spoke, and only the quick
arm of Silas Bixby saved him from a
/ fall on the stone stems
"See here, boys" said he. "If
you have got those fellows tied up
tight, one Of you take Squire Hough-
ton and bring him to, and I'll go over
to his house and unite his wife, before
| start after that pesky little rascal
that has got away. If | had "a sup
posed he would dare to risk the pistol
l 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 be
lies"
Having thus disposed of his forces,
and provided for the guard Of the
prisoners and the restoration of the
disabled, the commander was off at
a run. Half Elmfeld seemed to
, have been awakened by the shots
and he was met by halfdozen light
ly clad men and boys whom he sent
: on this errand and that, to open the
. lookup under the engine house, tC
harness horses for the pursuit, vouch
: safng only very curt replies to theil
eager questions as to what had hap
5 pened. He was exasperated on ar
| irving at Foster HOughton's dwelling
: to find the door locked and the win
} dows fastened. So he raised a sten
torian shout of, "It's-all-right-
) MrS.-Houghton. Robbers -caugh
5 and 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, talkativ'
e little group, the central figure o
: which was the cashier of the bank
restored to life, but still white al
v death, and supported by friendl,
! hands. Assured that Houghton him
/ self was now able to release his wife
c Bixby ran on to the green, and in fiv'
e minutes more was settled in his gie
and urging his cheerful little ba,
e Morgan over the road to Tinborougf
e mentally putting into form his nar
e rative for the Trumpet" as he' went
d Thus it came about that it wa
II Foster Houghton himself who unloo:
r ed his wife's bonds-bending hi
Ii gray head, as he did so, to print
{, kiss of sorrow and sympathy on he
d wrinkled cheek, and leaving a tea
IL there.
e HE has escaped" he said, "and
N on the road to the station. !"
% "Will he not be overtaken?"
II think not. He has fair star
a and knows what is at stake; and th
le train passes through before da.
Oh light"
Then the woman's heart, whic
or had borne her bravely up so far, gay
ID away, and she broke into terrib
er sobs; and the husband who woul
le comfort her was himself overcome /
:. the common grief, and could not spea
ID a word. Silently they suffered t
ne pether. nressing hands. until the e