National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-05-03
A Man In q Black Mask.

No. 10 OOutn Nlntn htTcet DfoohiNH,
is the residence Of wealthy widow, Mrs.
Harvey G.. Law. One nigh recently,
Mrs. Law, who was in deep mourning,
was sitting with her married daughter
and her son-in-law at the dinner-table
talking about the deceased relative.
The house was quiet ms usual, being in
a retired neighborhood. Mrs. Law and
her daughter thought they were quite by
themselves, when on sudden the door
opened. They looked up and saw the
face of man. The face was black.
Mrs. Laws daughter, who saw the man
first, thought it was Peter, the black
servant She took II piece OF steak,
which she was about to cut, but on look
ing again at the door, became aware that
Peter had not shut the door, and had
not gone about his business, but stood
staring fiercely at her and Mrs. Law from
under his big bushy eyebrows. She
looked ut him again, and saw that the
man $ face was not black. He wore a
black mask. His eyes glared at her.
He had on n red cloak, and was dressed
in the costume OF Satan. The young
woman gave scream and dropped knife
and fork. She was speechless with terror.
mercy upon us, said Mrs. Law, very
much frightened; and thinking her
daughter would faint away, she had paid
80 attention, still thinking 1t was Peter
who was at the door. Mrs. Laws
daughter gave another scream.
Mrs. Law looked up, and saw that it
was "A strange man. He held n revolver
in his hand. His red cloak was flying
wide open. She even thought she saw
his hoof. The man kept staring tiercely
at the two women.
"Nercy upon ns,' Mrs. Law cried,
rushing from her seat. She thought the
man would shoot. Mrs. LAWS a woman
about fifty years Of age She is delicate
and rather timid. Her face became
white with terror. She held up her
h.Ads and cried "Don't shoot" Her
daughter had tainted away On her chair,
and threaten to drop on the floor.
The man raised his hand as If to point
the revolver at Mrs Law, when her SON
in-law jumped upon him, and he fled.
He darted through the back door, the
two women after him. He ran through
the conservatory, jumped over yhe fence
and escaped. Mrs. Laws son-in-law
was sick, and therefore unable to follow
him.
The two women rushed up stairs into
their room. The drawers of one bureau
were found forced open and papers,
Jewels, and valuables of all kinds were
found strewn on the floor. Mrs. Law
almost thought her satanic visitor had
taken nothing, when she discovered that
her late husbands gold watch and chain,
which she priced beyond anything in
the world, were missing Something
else was mlssing-it was the will of
Harvey G. Law. Mr. Law died only
four weeks ago, and left an estate valued
at $500, 900 or $780, 200. The colored
servant said he came upon the thief while
the latter was searching for the will
among the papers. Satan quickly pre-
sented pistol at his head and told him
he would blow his brains out if he ut
tered a sound. Thereupon Peter kept
quiet.
reporter called at Mrs. Laws resi-
dence. When he rang the bell he heard
chain rattle, and the door was opened
an inch. The servant girl took good
look at him, rs though satisfying herself
that he was not a burglar or robber, and
that he wore no red cloak. After he had
stated that he wanted to see Mrs Law,
she called another girl, who also took a
good look ut him through the aperture
The chain was still unloosened, and the
reporter could not open the door. The
two girls, after consulting each other
five minutes, finally concluded to trust
the reporters appearance and to let HIM
in. The chain fell down and the door
opened.
Mrs Law, who is very genteel, nice
looking lady, begged the reporters par
don for not having ordered the servant
girl to admit him at once. Il have been
so terribly frightened she said, that
| have given orders not to admit any
man. For several days have not been
able to make up my mind to y low man
to come into the houe. l hank God
for having spared my life. felt almost
sure that the man would kill me. )"
Reporter you suspect anybody ?
Mrs. Law-Yes, L do; but have no
right to tell my suspicious. may do
them wrong.
Reporter-Coull any one profit by
stealing the will ?
Mrs. Law-No not at all, not ms the
Will now t "hiiN,
and with tears in her eyes.l Still, |
think they might have waited little
longer to get me out of the way. It's
Just four weeks since my hnsbandidied,
and | was so sick and so worried-they
miglU have waited little longer.
Reporter--Could you recognize the
man?
Ms. Law-My daughter could She
could not stay in the house after this oc-
currence We both of us were kept
awake all night thinking of the frightful
vision, and she has left the house now,
and is staying with friend Of hers.
Reporter-Do you think it was pro-
fessional burglar
Mrs. Law-No / am convinced that
he was not burglar He left great
many vauables he might have taken
along Just as well as not. / found a rope
in the second story window. | don
know what he expected to use it for. l
am so sorry for the watch. l looked
at it that very same morning, and said to
my daughter: 81 wouldn't part with
this for the whole world. (Cryin9.)
Now | have had to part with it. We
have lived twenty -four years in this
house, and never had any trouble. Oh
the next thing can expect is 70 lose my
life.
THE HIGHWAY OF LIFE. thousand
human beings set forth together on their