Middletown transcript., 1870-08-06
;remble at the mention of their deeds.

defence met his gaze.
"Well, john" he cried, seizing the
revolutionary relic, what in the world
are you going to do with this 2"
"I intend to defend the safe and my
self against robbers" 1 answered, blush
ing.
II believe you're crazy, john" he said
II would like to see you WELD that clum-
sy old thing. Take it home, or sell it as
trash. Day and I will have a hearty laugh
at your expense"
81 do not care for your laugh, Mr.. De-
wees" I answered, " and as for the saber,
it shall remain here"
"Do as you please, John; and if you
say SO, 1 shall purchase dozen cemetery
lots in which you can inter your dead.
But, boy, look at the doors; suppose a
robber should pick the locks; the strong
bolts would remain, and ten men could
never remove them"
"True," l replied, "but breaking bolts
is not the work of an experienced robber.
He would cut hole through the door, in
sert his hand, and push back the bolts"
"No use to talk to you, john" he said,
turning to rearrange some boxes on the
shelves, but if robber should attempt to
enter, I'll increase your wages"
The old weapon was replaced, and when
Day entered, the firm had hearty laugh
at my fears.
When night came, built up rousng
fire, and sought my couch beneath the
counter. Outside it was very cold, and
the snow was falling in binding fakes.
| assure you felt comfortable under the
additional coverlets Mrs. Day had sent me
that morning. Before I retired l had un-
sheathed the sabre, so that in case of G.
mergency it might make no unne-
cessary noise
1t must have been near midnight when
| awoke. The storm was still raging and
the room retained but small degree of
heat from the stove. was about to re-
plenish the fire, for VIC did not want our
large stock of ink to freeze, when 1 heard
a noise as though rat gnawing for dear
life. I listened, and soon discovered that
tho noise was at the front and double door
arose and cautiously struck a light
and donned my pants and stockings The
lamp turned low, and grasping the old
saber, approached the door.
Sure enough, the noise was on the out
side, and | knew man was cutting hole
below the strong, large iron bar. The
work accomplished, he could insert his
hand noiselessly, remove the bar and push
the door open. With bated breath and
wildly beating heart, [ listened to the
saving; the saber was poised above my
head and alongside the door. Palmer
and palmer grew the noise, and at last a
circular piece of the door was pushed n
little inside; then saw two fingers grasp
and pull it out.
I waited for the insertion of the hand,
for had determined to sever it with the
saber. l had heard no noise outside, and
had supposed the robber was alone. Not
long did watt however, for the reap
pearance of the hand. 1t was thrust in,
and the fingers moved toward the bar.
struck with all the strength of my right
arm. The robbers hand fell at my feet,
and the bleeding stump was quickly with
drawn.
Then above the war of the storm, which
seemed to increase every moment, heard
words, and a noise, as if person was for
cling his way through heavy drifts.
''I can never use my right hand again."
| heard a man groan. ooh, God! l
might have known that that STRIPPING was
armed. Curse my folly!"
l picked up the severed member, and
examined it at the light. 1t looked as if
it belonged to a man in the meridian of
life, and the little finger was encircled by
~ heavy gold ring, with solitaire diamond
ting 1t was right hand, and the tip
thumb was missing. wrapped
md in cotton, laid it in the desk,
m yeplenishing the fire, watched the door
Hut |, through the fatal opening, l saw
limbs bending under their load of snow.
l opened the door, but saw no tracks
it had showed all night, and covered up
all traces of the robber. When Devices
came-he always reached the store an
hour before Day did showed him the
hole and the hand. OF course he was as
tonished.
"By George, boy~ he exclaimed,
"your fears were not groundleess You
may keep that old sabre till it rusts-and
from this hour your wages stand increas
ed"
Of course, boys, I was thankful because
he knocked under to me and because my
wages were increased. Great search was
made for the robber, but he was not found,
and I remained in possession of the ring
and the hand. Five years later, left
Dalton, which had not been disturbed by
robbers since that memorable night. l
kept the robbers hand in spirits for near
fifteen years, when neglecting it, it spoil
ed, and buried it in my lot.
But what did you do with the ring?"
asked the traveller.
"Kept it. Nothing could have induc-
ed me to part with it."
:" Would. you not return it to the own
er 2"
" Perhaps he did not come by it hon
estly-he was robber, you know"
e.