The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-07-08
UNCLE WINTHROP'S WATCH
CONCLUDED.

CtHORTLY after entering the street
~ Henry imagined that his steps were
dogged. Street assaults and robberies had
been alarmingly frequent of late, and on
ascertaining that he was persistently fol-
lowed by some one, he became not little
arprehensive of an attack. There was but
little passing ON the steet now and then
solitary individual would hurry along the
pavement, as If aware that it was suspic-
ious neighborhood. Henry was far from
being a timid man; If anything, he was
over daring. Still the thought of sud
den attack, of being taken at advantage,
awoke any but agreeable feeling, sensa-
tions, indeed, akin to fear. Save his
watch he bore no valuables about him.
He had too much good sense to venture
abroad in strange and crowded city, es-
pecially in the night, with more than tri-
fling sum of money. 1t was not robbery
that he feared so much as personal injury,
for howell knew that these desperadoes
thought but little of taking human life.
He had nothing with which to defend him
self, being opposed to the carrying of
weapons about the person. With six
barrelled revolver in his breast pocket he
would have felt decidedly more comfort
able.
It was not the hearingof footsteps behind
him that first led Henry to suspect that he
was dcgged, but certain intuition which
men sometimes have as warning of i'm
pending danger. Influenced by this mys-
tical impression, all Of his senses were on
the alert. CHANGING frequently behind him
it was not long ere he detected a man
noiselessly, following him. What assured
him Of this was that when he slackened his
pace his follower did the same when he
quickened it, the unknown increased his
when he paused, so did his pursuer. Twice
Henry retraced his steps for short dis
tance, but the man had vanished, disap-
peared like phantom; yet the moment he
resumed his walk, sleuth-hound like, the
man was on his track. Henry came to the
conclusion that the fellow was shod with
felt or rubber, as night-watchmen often
are, to prevent their approach being heard
This by no means tended to allay the sus-
picion that he had evil designs on him.
He could do nothing, however, but con
tinue ON his way, which he did with an
accelerated pace, hoping that he might fall
in with the police, Or reach less deserted
locality.
Hurrying along an this manner, he came
to neighberheed where the lamps were
far apart. He had left the last some dis
tance behind, and about the same distance
ahead was to be seen the feeble glimmer o
another. Just then sharp short whistle
sounded in his rear, which was immediately
followed by similar one in front. Rights
suspecting that they were signals of confsd-
crates, Henry slaekened his pace, and wal
la the act of stepping off the walk to eros,
the street, when a man sprang out from an
adjoining alley or court and threateningl,
confronted him.
Had Peabody taken a moment for reflec
tion, which men seldom do in such an
emergency, he would not have attempted
resistance, but have passively allowed the
fellow to 60 through with him." as th.
newspapers phrase 1t but being muscular
and placky he was not disposed to sue
cumb without a struggle. AS he waI
about making some demonstrations of de.
fence, another man stepped softly up be-
hind him, and with blow from a slung
shot laid him inscnsibIe on the walk.
"That's the best way TO settle the
hash p said the assailant, with coarse
laugh
In a moment the two men were bending
over the prostrate form. But few words