Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-06-30

in the position Of the stand and the
arrangement 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 be-eXtinguished one of
nv candles, said my prayers, and clos
ing my eyes, resigned myself to my
fate, with no very sanguine or definite
hope of eXtrication from my perilous
position.
| made my breathing regular and a
little louder than when | was awake,
and lay with my cheek on my hand.
counterieiting sleep. At last the still
ness became more terrible than even
my first agony Of fear. Several times |
ianeied that heard a soft step APP
proach from the place of concealment.
As often | was deceived. Then again
that awful stiffness, in which | count
ed the ticking of my watch through
the pillow, 1t was a positive relief
when he came out from behind the cur
tain. stopped at the table, and stood
looking at me rs was well aware,
though my eyes were closed. forced
myself TO breathe regularly and audi
bly,. He came closer he bent over me.
He passed the lighted candle slowly
before my face two or three times.
felt the heat and saw the light through
my closed lids. which must have qulv-
cred though, he did not seem to Oh
serve their motion. Heaven gave me
strength not to move or cry out. Salts
fled, apparently, he put back the can
dle-stick on the stand, and his hand
crept softly and slowly under the pill
low, and one by one, he removed my
watch and the KEY Of the safe. He
stood 50 long looking at me that | felt
lmpelled TO open my eyes suddenly
upon him.
As hc walked softly toward the place
| did partly open them. and cautiously
watched him, through my cyelashes.
heard him fumbling with the lock,
and once lie looked over toward thc
bed. My eyes were wide open. but |
closed them III time not to be detected.
Watching him -tealthily. ! saw linn
open the door Of the safe. 20 back to
the stand for the candle and return Ia
the safe which he entered without with
drawing the key from the lock.
Here wa the opportunity for which
| had waited and watched. sprang
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 AMI senseless
on the floor of the dark room.
How long Jay upon the door. do
not know probably for a few minutes
only but Il, | was unconscious. IL
seemed "a it the interval had been
long one. | was aroused by hi, blows
upon the iron door. and found myself
weak after the long nervous tcntion.
but still calm. remember the salts
faction with which thought, while
lay there before rising, that tie could
not escape. mingled with vague and
foolish dread that he might in his rage
burn the valuable content, Of the safe.
He pounded desperately on the door,
and -wore icarfully at finding himself
entrapped. But. as | took no notice of
his uutcrir,. he soon grew quiet.
Presently rose. and. lighting a
candle. dressed myself with all possi-
bic haste and with trembling fingers,
turning often to look at the safe, from
under the closed door Of which | more
than half expected to see blood trick
ling-why, cannot tell, except that
nv mind was full of images of horror.
was soon in readiness. had no means
OF ascertaining the time, rs he had my
watch in his pocker. and there was no
clock in the room. Taking the candle.
| fastened to arouse Dinlh, who as |
shook her, slowly opened her eyes, and
with scarcely any more than her usual
slowness pronounced her formula.
"Well. Miss Lille, what shall fly
Lord massy! what's de matter wid
de child You amt seen ghost-hab
you, honey!'
NO. Dinah, but I've seen something
worse than a ghost. I've caught rob
Der, and he's in the safe. What time
is ii" and, looking at the clock. that
ticked slowly and deliberately-as how
could Dnah's clock help doing ?-I saw
to my great relief that it was nearly
midnight.
We had scarcely got down stairs
when | heard the sound of wheels. A
moment more, and my husband WAS in
nv arms, listening with amazement to
a rapid narrative Of my singular adven-
ture. Iwould not suffer him to open
the safe until Silas had summoned as
sistance from the neighbOring houses
feared my desperate prisoner might
still escape. When the safe was open
ed, there sat my burglar on the trunk
half stupefied for want of air, a knife
in one hand. the package OF money IN
the other, and the burned-out candle
at his feet. He was recognized as al
old offender, who had not been long
out Of State-prison- to which, In due
course Of law. he was soon sent back
for a term of years, which. l devoutly
hope, may last as long as he lives /; fol
l confess | should not feel easy to heal
that he was again at large. The lool
of rage he gave me on coming out o
the safe will not soon be Obliteratet
from my memory.
My husband, l need hardly say, wa
greatly pleased with my safe invest
ment, and complimented me highly OF
the courage and GOODNESS which hat
doubtless saved my life as well a
our monsy. The love and pride witt
which he regarded me, and with whic
he always, to the this day, rehearse
my exploit, were of themselves q suffi
cient compensation for the horror an
tho au<,,,, - that loun summar.niUh ht