The Van Buren press., 1872-12-10
Caught.
By EVoLNI.

''Good by, folks; take good care O
yourselves and the old coach rolle
away leaving uncle Thorpe standing oI
the porch to watch his departing friends
Bob Thorpe was an old bachelor (no'
young ladies do not turn away). ugly il
appearance, good at heart, amiable il
disposition, and above all, a millionsir
(yeung ladies do not crowd so, give tn
man breathing place. he will give yo'
ill . chance). Yes, Bob Thorpe was tn
wealthiest bachelor in Orange, and ther
was n,t a girl in the county who woul,
not have taken the o.i, worn out sea cap
tain at moments notice But on thi
,ont Bob and the girls could not agree
as loved them; but he loved his littl
niece Stella better than all the rest, ant
be was going to keep his fortune for her
The whole family, consisting Of Mrs
Cramp, (Bob's, sister Stella, Ralph an'
Georgia Cramp. and an old servant, wer'
going down to the city, and as Mr.
Thorpe was not afraid OF being alone il
that large heuse, he insisted upon theiI
all going together.
But, Robert, you'll die ofloneliness,
demonstrated Mrs Cramp.
Fudge, humbug, | have lived toe
long alone for that You may so, I'll
be monarch Of all survey"
"Yon'd I've pretty monarch if Black
Tom shows himself" and Mrs. Cramp
appeared frightened as she spoke.
Black Tom was not, as his name would
indicate dark in color, but he was black
in heart He was an outlaw, and when
ever any person was known to possess
money, Tom was sure 10 get it. Thorpe,
however, had no fear OF him, and ii was
we'll known fact that the outlaw had Il
grea. regard for him; as Bob had saved
him from drowning, and Tom had re-
yield his life for Bob. Mrs. Cramp, how
ever, mistrusted the fellow and with what
good causo we shall presently learn.
1t was growing dark and Mr. Thorpe
had entered the house to take little
lunch, preparatory to retiring and wss
just on the point Of lighting his pipe
when the door suddenly opened.
F" Halloa. old chap; what brings II
to Woodyiile to night, and Bob Thorpe
placed chair for Black Tom, it must
be admitted, however, that the former
felt somewhat uneasy.
bob Thorpe, you saved my life ono
time, did you nst'"
"Well, what OF that? y qusrricd
Thorpe
"Only this much have come to re.
pay you.
.l hat 4
Listen, Bob: You've got sixty thou
saud dollars in your vault, and l must
have it y spoke Tom, in determined
tone
Suppose won't give it p
Then ! shall XIII you and take it my
self.
Bnt, and Mr. Thorpe WAS evident
ly growing calmer "you will be suspect
cd Of
g Fiddlosticks. Do you think any one
would think me guilty Of numbering your
Why we are the best Of friends. 1t il
but an hour ago that cowhided a fellow
at the inn for calling you al old sea
dog, =" and he leaned over the table in a
defiant way.
"Will You tako ten thousand p Mr.
Thorpe was talking in q regular business
way
"No; I want the wholc--and then
friend Bob, I'll tie yoa anl place you in
such position that you can live till your
folks return and meanwhile permit me to
leave the country in safety,
"If you promise, Tom, that you will
let my felix's know of my predicament,
Ill grant your wish, "
"Well, by Jupiter you take that thing
cool. said Tom, somewhat mystiiied
mo. | don't" returned Mr. Thorpe
"but you've got everything on your side,
and"
do not let us idle away time. Bob
lead the way to your vault, " and the
outlaw produced brace Of pistols
"I'll follow you, sir; you are armed
and / will not trust you.
" No, sir; you go first; I'll not in
jure hal. Of your head
Tom, il you 60 before me I'll take a
solemn oath to one thing. That no one
shall ever hear from my lips o, this
nights work." and Robert Thorpe
spoke so honest and truthful that the
ou'law, turning and extending his hand,
said:
Bob, you are gentlcmsn; I'd trust
you with my life, " and ho put the pistols
in their places, as he led The WAY into
the cellar, He knew where the money
vault was.
They descended long flight Of Stairs
and Mr. Thorpe unlocked the vault
"Go ahead. Tom - Scarcely had the
outlaw entered the vault when Robert
Thorpe stepped back on sqiare piece
of iron, which was placed in the floor,
and the next instant the door of tho van ,
flew shut, and Black Tom was impriscn
ed for life in vault containing over hall
million in geld.
The outlaw now understood the ehsst,
but il was too late, Hecnrsed, he plead.
ed, he prayed, but Mr.. Thorpe wss i'm.
movable.
81 promised that no one should ever
hear from ny lips OF this nights work
! shall keep my word"
Those we're the last words he evei
heard he suffered the most terrible
death imaginable, starvation and re.
morse
Black Tom was missed, and Of course
oil search proved unavailng. One day
about three months later Mr. Thorpe
with aomc workmsu o,a,al b;s ,.,lt