The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-07-01
Sslsrf Sfory.
A Robber in the Room.

When I was thIrty-one was passing
rough the Western States on the track
a speculation which promised well.
Ny plans had led me to leave the boat
Cincinnati, and strike about sixty
lies southerly into Kentucky. | fonnd
yself ut the end Of the day in question
a small tavern waiting for my supper.
had come to this particular house only
accident, and certainly nothing but
latcness Of the hour, the rain that
as falling heavily, and my own tired.
Ingry condition, prevented my sallying
rth at once in search of better accom-
odations. The house was quite apart
ON the rest of the towr, and seemed
be one Of those illskept, unattraative
MS where traveller only goes bv acci
mt, and where he never gees twice I
,uld not discover that there was any
her guest than nv self present that
gbt,and the loneliness Of the place was
1t much relieved by the busting, Off
)us manner of the landlord, whose face
d the marks of low sconndrel, in my
Union. However, | resolved TO make
hest of il, and partaking of the in .
'farent meal that was set before me,
ked 10 be Shown at once to my room
'is request was complied With, and the
ldiord left me alone.
took my candle, and carefully exam
q the room 1t was small, square
,rtment, with nosfurniture save the
|, a chair and the washstand Hooked
der the bed and behind the stand =
body was there. spied eiosss.and
plored it, with the same result, The
or Of the room fastened on the inside
n heavy butt, but,to.m make assurance
ubly sure, set the stand against it
er sliding the bolt; and not yes con
#, moved he bed around and effec-
,ily harri1aGed it. The two windows
,eared to be about eight feet from the
ronnd :and these also scared in such
way that it would he impossible to
Use them from the outside.
Pretty safe, this, | think" was nv
mark, as | looked around at my de-
nseS, and throwing off my coat, / drew
ou the bfeast-pocket. a long, leather
Il-book, and proceeded to count lis
lntcnts. Three thousand three, hun
cd dollars i'll no.es-a large amount to
rfy about ones person; but the basi-
SIS Twas engaged in demanded it, and
had no choice. Ii is quite possible
at | should have felt no great uneasi
ass on this night, hut for the money las
was, | felt decidedly unpleasant, and
ished myself well out of the house l
iipk l must have felt premonitiOn of
proaciling danger, for had several
mqs before been in places qr1itg as srs-
rvrTs us '.fits, VIII rs f1grTU m aT0HnJ
tmoney, ,but never had | been so great
troubled in mind, nor impelled to
ii precautions.
placed my pocket book beneath the
low and laid my pistol beside it; then
ting The candle on the stand, / went
bed.
Usually | was sound and ready
aeper, but now / lay wide, awake, and
the arts I,useIl to ull myself to rest
ere unavailing., The house was per-
,ctly still, and there was no noise from
ne street, save the steady drip, drip of
ne rain, which seemed to intensity the
fitness I closed my eyes, and st the
I'D of ten u,tnutes opened them again,
erfectly sleepless .
I turned on my side; my eye was
aught by my pistols lying by the pill
wv. | l8aked at them merely for a
aange OF ol1ect,and as5I hooked l made
discovery that sent chill of terror all
yer me. The caps had been removed
ON both Of them! p
NY heart sank within me, and G terror
.e that Of death seized me. Some in,
rnaI plot was on foot 20 destroy me
lie m ysterioas agency that was to take
life might be in readiness that ia
ant ! laY perfectly still,with my eyes
most closed, moi daring even 10 turn
Jon my back as / had been lying. (.
II VAS well for me that | did not. ]
'ard no step, not even breath; but q
t.S, glittering knife vas slowly project
beElnd me aud held suspended by a
man hand above my head For full
mute did that dreadful object shine
ire before ms. eyes, nojionless ,and by
.,h On e4S'Yrt of my will as I nepe.
,de before. I restrained my voice and
limbs. I knew that movement, 3
rd, would send that knife into my
irt.
drew mY breath quietly and regular
-how, / know rot, but / did it,
n counterieited a slight snore, The
Der was apparently satisfied. The
fe was sill poised above inc; but ]
his hand cautiously feeling beneath
pillow. 1t seized the pocket book
slowly drew it forth. a half subiGad
lamatioh Of delight followed and the
&c Tor one incautious instant was laid
ny head, TO allow the opening oil the
sure, IS supposed
Tbal followed passed with slmost tie
ID OF thought, Ny right hand few
he knife and gtasf,ed it as | rolled
u nv back. With a terrific oath the
Der stated back ard threw himself
n me lie WAS q biawny muscular
ain Of thrice mvfstrhugth, hat there
to be no tria, Of that kind between
As he dung hiinsplfaat nj threat
ne,i the lfaife upon him; the poin'
bk l,im in the breast, and his weight
d impetus drove the blade righi
rough him. With one spasmodic move
ent Ike rolled off from me and tumb!eG
cad on tile floor, ssa ns
The horror Of his. presence5 and tht
of my peril had been SC
suddenly forced upon nae that the shock
was too great for mel fell back faint
ing to the bed
Wien / aweke broad daylight was
streaming in at the windows, Little by
little recalled the dreadful realities o.
nv adventure. and persuaded myself
that it was not all nightmare. ] assur
ed myself of the safety of my money
and then put on my clothes and looked
shout me The robber Icy On his face
the fall had broken the kniie,and a grea
pool of blood was oozihg out on th'
floor. The mystery Of his presence there
was soon explained A secret closet wa
let into the wall where he had been aid
der, and from chink of which he hae
cen where ] deposited my morey. ]