The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-05-02
THE ROBBERS HAND.


response to request to tell story, while
we were seated around the stove in Hills
bar room, one clustering night last win
ter, Let ME see. twenty-five years
ago entered the store of Day 4 Co. us
clerk, and tweaty,one years ago, on the
night Of the first of February, | had an
adventure which shall never forget"
We drow our benches nearer the stove
and the retired merchant, who wo knew
had good story in store for us. At my
side, on the oaken scttce, sat n man
iulgrg by Ills silvered hais-about Eve
and sixty. He was traveller, and u
stranger toour entire party, and during
onr conversation previous to the NOR.
chants narrative had been taciturn and
moody. But when Wordcn begun lis
story, his Dyes were fixed upon
hisface. ,ssS4a TarHIE ,TTI1T
II WAS not seventeen" continued tho
narrator, Huhsn became clerk, and
j. was a great event in my life. The
firm told mo that would have to sleep in
the ,stora' 81 felt proud of icing allowed
to do so; isshOwed tina. they had great
faith in my honesty. So lounge was
brought in and placed under tho counter,
and there, after locking the door. |
would lie and dream till daylight. y
3 ai"During the first port Of the winter Of
'4s, ogupr; nyiehberiag county. (Herkilnor)
was infested with gang Of daring rob-
b'rs, whose depredations wore beth bold
and allarming,qfThe good reopl. cb.cane
excited; and we'll they might, for the
villains scrupled not to take the life Of
anyone who dared to defend his proper,
". N
Vigilance committees we're formed
aud The gang broken up. Several of the
villains were captured, and their cases
decided by Jud &c Lyach. Those who c.
capped tho esmmittse went into neighbor-
ing cosntie,; and ours. received, ~ few.
, gDpsin. January several bold rsbberies
were committed in Dalton, which threw
eur citizens into the highest state Of ex-
element; but in all efforts-aud those
made we're strenuous one-to catch the
robbers were unavailing.
g,a%Dsy 4 Co.. during the excitement,
sat back in their easy chairs laughing at
the peoples scare. They fancied their
store secure, and when asked item to
b. permitted to keep o gun at my bed
sHtidS,S tvitted nc at what they termed nv
cowardieo. TWAS not eowardice, boys
busI wanted 70 give the robbers bold
reception It they paid me visit.
thought they would net fail 10 do this,
for my employers held in thor hands
many sums Of money belonging to other
people; in short, they were the bankers
Of the village. Th. money va, enclosed
lima safswhich Iknew would NJ. resist
ii experienced burglar. But Day & Co.
thought their safe secure, and refused to
z grant Nv request.
II had made up my mind 10 arm my
self, let the 6rin call me what it wished.
lived in Montauk then, a few mile,
from Dalton, and one Sunday, night, the
last.'f January, when / returned from a
visit home, l brought along an old sabre,
which ny grandiathoHhid used againit
saraton, at Sanders Creek. Tint Sab.
bath night, as we'll remember, / did not
retire until near midnight, for l sat up
polishing the old blade. At last. when
The light shining upon i. blinded ne, |
put il 10 tho sheath and stood it against
the head Of the lounge and went to sleep,
feeling that l could overcome dozen Of
the fcreest robbers that ever made woman
Or child trenbls at tho mention Of their
deeds.
.etTho following morning u,h.rea III
The last month of winter, and forgot to
stow the old arm away out of sigh, ofl.he
firm. When Devices, the junior partner,
stepped behind the counter, my prepare.
lions for defense NE. bis gaze. '.a
Why, John " he said. Selling the
revolutionary relic, what in tho world
are you going to do with thi.i',," II 4, r,
" Iin.end to defend myself and tic
safe against robbers" | answered, blush
Inn Z Ssig ,EGHATGa ( .ttL
80 Jg,g.AA .SIIGfLu w
Z" I believe you're crazy, john he
said. 4 would like to see yqn weld this
clumsy old thing. Take Il homo. or sell
il as Ira,h. Day and 4 will ,bs,s q
hearty laugh atiyour se.'t,svt'l z