The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-04-19

profitable concerts at the end of the term.
lie was clerk of the fire company and had
never been absent from fire, though some
OF his manifold duties kept him riding in
his light gig through the neighboring
towns great deal of the time. He had
raised company and commanded it, in the
nine months army of go. He kept little
book store on the corner of the village
square, and managed very small circula-
ting library, with the aid of the Oldest of
his ten children; and he was equal partner
in the factory at the Falls. Mr.. Houghton
did not venture to guess on what errand
Mr.. Bixby came to see him, and showed
him to a chair in the twilighted sitting
room, with face composed to decline re-
quest to discount note, or to join with in
terest in a conversation on the Sunday
school, or to listen to report Oh the new
lire engine fund, with equal case and alac-
rity.
Mr.. Bixby looked about him to see that
nobody was within hearing. you'll ex-
cuse me, l know, Squire, if shut the
windows, hot as it ISL and before his host
could Use to anticipate him he suited the
action to the word.
Its detective business, It's big thing.
DO you know told you, Mr. Houghton, the
iirst OF the week, that there was dangerous
characters about town, and asked YOU to
keep your eyes open at the bank. Will YOU
bear witness of that?'
81 remember it very well, Mr.. Bxbv,
and also that there has not been a single
individual inside of the bank since that
day, other than our own townspeople and
friends.'
"That is just it," said Silas, refectively,
"They have some accomplice who knows
the neighborhood and whom we don't sus-
pect. But we shall catch him with the rest.
The fact is, Mr.? Houghton, the Blue Riv-
er National Bank is to be robbed Tonight
The plot is laid and have every thread in
my hand"
Foster Houghton was one of class who
were habitually incredulous as to Silas Blk
by's achievements, as announced bv him
self; but there was positiveness and assur
ance about the constable's manner which
carried conviction with it, and he did NOT
conceal the shock which the news gave to
him.
Just you keep very cool, sir, and I'll
tell you the whole story in very few words,
for have got one or two things to do be-
fore | catch the burglars, and have prom
ised to look into Parson Pettingill's barn
and doctor his sick horse. There is two
men in the job, beside somebody that is
working with them secretly in the villaee.
here. You needn't ask me how | managed
to overhear their plans, for l sha'n't tell -
You will read it all in the Tinborough Traan-
pet of the day after tomorrow. They are
regular New York cracksmen, and they
have been stopping at the hotel at the
Falls, prete nding to be looking at the wa
ter power. They come here on purpose
to clean out the Blue River National
Bank"
DO they mean to blow open the safe ?"
inquired Mr.. Houghton, who was pacing
the room.
just have patience, Squire" said ST.
las Bixby. | thought it best to prepare
you, and SO let You up kind o. gradual
They have got false keys to your house door
and to your bedroom door. They are 90
ing to come in at midnight or an hour after,
and gag you and your wife, and force you
at the mouth of the revoiver to go over to
the bank and open the combination lock.
Your help they say, has gone off; and
they did not appear to be afraid of Hen
ry"
Henry has gone to Tinborough,'' said
Mr.. Houghton, mechanically.
A" presume they knew that. too, then,'
said the constable. "They calculate on
forty thousand dollars in the safe, govern
ment bonds and all. Their team is to be