The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-07-28
Selett Storu.
THE R0BBER' S HAND.

" Let me see," began Mr. Worden,
in response to request to tell story,
while we were seated around the stove
in Mills bar room. one clustering night
last winter. Let me see. Twenty.
two years ago, | entered the store ol
Day & Co., as clerk, and twenty one
years ago come the night Of the first ol
February, l had an adventure which |
shall never forget"
We drew our benches near the stove
and the retired merchant, whom we
knew had good story in store for us.
At my side, on the oaken scttee, sat a
man-judging by his silvered hair
about FIVE aud sixty. lie was traveller,
and stranger to oar entire party I; aud
during our conversation previous to the
merchapt's narrative, hal been taciturn
aud mOSdg. But When Mr.. Worden
began his story his eyes we're fixed upon
his face.
al was not seventeen, continued the
narrator, "whep | became a clerk, aud
it was . great event in my life. The
Arm told me that | would have to sleep
in the store. | fell proud of being
allowed to do SO it showed that they
had great faith in my honesty. So a
lounge was brought in and placed under
the counter, aud there, after locking the
door, | would lay aud dream till daylight.
During the &rst part Of tke winter of
'as our ueighboring county (Herkimcr)
was infested with a gang of daring rob.
bers, whose depredations were both
bold an alarming. The good people
became excited and well might they,
for tho villains scrupled not TO take the
life of any Que who dared to defend his
property.
Vigilance committees were formed,
and the gang broken up. Several Of the
villains were captured, and their cases
decided by Judge Lynch. Those who
escaped the committee went into neigh.
boring counties, and ours received a
few. During January several bold
robberies we're committed in Dalton,
which threw our citizens into the high
est state Of excitement; but all efforts
--and those made were strenous ones
to catch the robbers were uuavailing.
Day & Co., during the excitement,
sat back in their easy chairs, laughing
at the peoples scare. They fancied
their store secure, and when | asked to
be permitted to keep gun at my bed.
side, twitted me at what they termed
my covardice. 1t was not cowardice,
boys; but l wanted to give the robbers
bold reception if they paid me visit.
thought they would not fail to do this,
for my employers held in their hands
large sums of money belonging to other
people-in short, they were the bankers
Of the village. The money was enclos.
ed in safe, which knew would not
resist an experienced burglar. But they
thought the safe secure, aud refused to
grant my request.
/ had made up my mind to arm my.
self, let the firm call me what it wished.
! lived in Montauk then, few miles
from Dalton, and one Sunday night,
the last of January, when l returned
from avisit home, | brought along an old
sabre, which my garndshire had used
against Scranton, at Sanders Creek
That Sabbath night, as | well remem.
Der, Ibid not retire until near midnight,
tor sat up polishing the old blade. At
last when the light shining upon it
blinded me, put il 10 the sheath and
stood it against the head of the lounge
and went to sleep, feeling that / could
overcome q dozen Of the fiercest robbers
tha. ever made woman or child tremble
at the meutiop of their deeds.
The following morning ushered in the
iast month Of winter, and forgot to
stow the old arm away out of sight Of
shs firm. When Devices, the junior