Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-05-03

| so deliberately carved was II tnat II went
by the name of Westminster Abbey in
the family.
At one end of the room, at no great
distance from the bed, was a large safe
built into the huge chimney of the man.
sion, with door high enough for per-
son to enter, standing upright. Here
was accustomed to place, every evening,
our silver plate, on shelves which, also,
were placed boxes, containing papers and
other valuables. Opposite the foot of
bedstead, between the windows. was a
mirror running from the floor almost to
the ceiling. Like the other furniture in
the room, IT was old aud handsome.-
How many happy scenes it had reflected
in the hundred years il had stood there !!
The night was exceedingly hot, and 1
therefore left the windows open, though
drew the curtains before | seated my
self at the table in the center of the room,
lighted the candle, and began to read, in
order to pass the heavy time before the
return of my husband.
After awhile heard the clock strike
nine, at which hour Dinah always went
to bed. Her chamber was in the attic,
the third story of the house. Remem-
bering some household matters about
which | ished to speak TO her, started
hurriedIy up, end went into the entry to
intercept he before she got up stairs. /
had to wait about minute before she
came, and our colloquy continued three
or four minutes more.
When returned TO my bedroom, feel
ing somewhat tired, I resolved to go to
bed, as, at that late hour in the country
it was quite certain that no visitors would
call, and my husband could let himself in
with the latch key. which be always car
ried. 1 thought, however, [ would try
and keep awake by reading, and accord
ingly placed light stand and the candles
at the head of my bed. i then closed
and fastened the windows, undressed my
self, and got into bed. The key of the
safe | placed, as usual, under my pillow.
After reading perhaps half an honr, |
grew weary of the book, and quietly lay.
ing it down, remained for seine minutes
meditating with my eyes fixed on the
mirror opposite the foot of the bed, in
which could see myself reflected, to
gelher with the yellow silk curtains be-
hind my bed. | was thinking, not uu
naturally, how happy l was, with such
loving husband. aud such large sum of
money secure in ones safe, when sudden
In / IN thu It fhat n
my heart stand still. A hand appeared
between the curtains drawing them slow
Iy apart, and grasping cautiously the
head board 1t was mans hand, large,
coarse, and dark, as if belonging to
mulatto, or to one greatly tanned by ex
posure to the weather.
Nv first impulse was to start from the
bed and scream for help. | depressed it
by a strong effort of will, and lay per-
fectly motionless, except that | partially
closed my eyes, keeping them only suffi
GENTLY open to watch the mirror. As
quick as lightning my mind took in the
situation. La the few minutes of my ab
sence from the room, while talking to
Diuah in the entry, a thief, a robber, a
possible murderer, had hidden himself
either under the bed or behind its draped
head. file was doubtless armed, ard if |
cried out, or attempted to escape from
the room, he could easily reach the door
before could, aud for his own security
would probably put me to death. Dinah
was too distant aud too feeble and clumsy
TO afford me any assistance, and besides
was by this time asleep in the third story.
The man doubtless knew that my hus-
band had received a large sum of money,
and had gone across the river, leaving me
alone, or nearly so, in the house. He
had entered, caring only only for money,
and anxious above all things to escape
undecided and unrecognized. If | let
him know that | was aware of his pres
ence, should expose myself to murder.
My obvious policy was to keep quiet and
fe;gn sleep. l thought also of the mon
ey, aud was not altogether willing TO re
sign that without an effort to save it,aud
to have some clue to the identy of the
thief confess, however, that this last
consideration was not very strong one,
and | am afraid that, if | could have
seen my way clear TO an escape from the
room, should have fled incontinently,
without stopping to see more than that
terrible band.
A moment, which seemed an hour.
passed while these thoughts rushed
through my mind. 1 lay perfectly still,
with my half closed eyes counterfeiting
sleep.
At lass. the stiffness became more ter.
rible than even my first agony of fear
Several times fancied l heard soft
step approaching from the place of con-
cealment. As often was deceived
Then again that dreadful stiffness in which
| counted the ticking of the watch through
the pillow. 1t was positive relief when
he came out from behind the curtain,
stopped at the table, and stood looking
me, as was we'll aware, though my eyes
were closed. | forced myself to breathe
regularly and audibly. 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
quivered, though be did not seem to OBJ
serve their motion. Heaven gave me
strength not to move or cry out. Salts
fad annarentlv. he MT back the candida