Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-07-24

After putting the room in order Dick '
climbed upon one OF the broad window soafs, q
behind the curtains, and began to read '
The door of the closet where the safe was
was open. The porcelain portrait, with the !
key behind it, was upon the table; A mo- a
mentary feeling of discomfort filled Dick as I
he remembered that he had not told MIR. I
Matthews of his discovery, but he at once
tied knot in his scarf as a reminder to do
so when the old gentleman returned. Il
Then he drew up his legs comfortably, ana
began to enjoy himself. The fire crackled on
the hearth, and outside the rain fell, and the
winds blew. -t.. ..-E.
Dick had read for a quarter of an hour. and il
was becoming somewhat dark, when he neaia
the noise of soft Il otfall. He raised his head,
and was thunderstruck to see, standing before
the door of the closet, two men, Win their SHOES
in their hands. lie at once recognized them as
two hall porters of the house. 10 moment
they stopped down and tried the safe door. ihey
looked and felt about for the key, going down
on their hands and knees TO do 1t. iney very
clearly thought that MIR. Matthews and DICK hau
gone for a walk as usual, and they had TAKEN |
the opportunity to endeavor TO rob the safe;
Dick shut his book with clap and leaped out
from bshpd the curtains. For a momen'
the men seemed petrihed with astonlshmeht.
"What do you want here 2" demanded
Dick ,,
Ore of them beckoned conhdentially to him.
| Dick. uususpectiucly, walked toward him, and
| was quickly seized, thrown upon the oed anu =
| towel fastened over his mouth, and tied penlnu
his head. lie fought valiantly, but ms arms
| were powerless In those of his antagonist. he
lay painting and glaring With his nostriis quiVer-
ing and his eyes running with teas .
] "Where is the key Of the safe = asked one
of ,he men with his lips TO Dicks ear.
Dick gave him what is KIN wn as a "iook.
| IN 4 and
Dick shook his head. They t9ld him to point
10 the spot wnere the key was; Dick kept his
clenc,ied hands beneath, and made no response
| of any sort. Tie thieves became enraceu pe-
cause their plans were bafilad. The time was
approaching when Mr. Matthews might return,
} besides, It was growing dark.
They threatened him and SHOOK jher lists
in his face, but Dick looked resolutely back at
them. One Of them gave hin bit oil paper
! and pencil. m
, Write where it is; ii you don't we Will
] choke ye."
: Dick wrote as well as he could
e "Choke if you think best. ! shall not tell"
Y He was not frightened. He thought that the
t m n wolld hardly dare to carry suca threat
into execution. But his answer infuriated
r them.
They made another search OF the room, pull
ci out all the drawers, felt of the carpet IN the
corners, looked into every nook and Granny,
ii While Dick, half stfed, looked anxiousiy after
them. They failed to find the key. Then they
c took up the porcelain picture, but without dis
| covering what il contained. Dick row began
}, to pray that Mr., Matthews would return.
y All at once, the most brutal Of the men APP
Il preached Dick, with TWO towels tied together
l lie made loop of them, and put the loop over
|, Dicks leg, which lie bent at the knee. mo
this loop lie twisted an iron poker. Then lie
. put IA thick, round ruler under the knee-that
:. is, in the angle made by Dicks leg. In this
l. position, if the men twisted the poker 1t would
bring Dicks foot up towards his thigh, AID
IS cause acute pain at tho knee, though there was
no actual danger OF doing the boy serious III
y jury.
!, cd the man.
I Dick nodded yes, defantly.
The man took turn with the poker
r. Dick WINGED a little, and shut his teeth TO
k gether. He knew what WAS coming Bat The
1t lion in his soul was reused. Here was direct
n contest between his courage and his weakness
s. Should he tell where the key was or should ht
e suffer? Should he betray his masters trust,
ie should he endure the agony that lie knew wa
ID before him?
re "Tell u.s." demanded the man once more
T. "tell us, or III pull your leg off. "
Dick held his breath.
u Tie man twisted the towel. Dicks hea
le bent down upon his shoulden and his hand
D. shut LITTER, but he gave no sign. The pail
was exquisite, Dut b WIS his pluCh' AlC iSi
rs a little sick, and his knee seemed ready T.
break.
es head.
Every moment brought Mr.. Matthews neare
Tia and nearer, but every moment also brough
s, more and more agony with it. Dick felt IS
I'd h. was burning all over. He could not get a
enough. The towel over his mouth seeintd
ali b. eating his head in two, and the towel VI
H. on his leg felt like an enormous cable that wa
lie IN IIp l.oL.pl at the
Ar ia es At his side. They were brutal, hendis
and desperate. There was another twist III u
rst towel. Dick writhed, and threw his han'
sit out
Tell u.s." demanded the man.
',Never :" said Dick, to himself.
IN "lf you'll point ont where IL is we II give yC
a thousand dollars" whispered the man.
ed, Dick was only able to weakly shake his hea,
t a Then the men whispered together. Mr., Ma
W. thews might come at any moment. II th'
der were caught the punishment, would be sever
est Yet, if they could only freak the spirit OF TIL
a. boy, they might become rich.
1--WE ask You for the last time to tell us whe
yeG that key is" cried the man, in tlercer undc
on, tone "lf you don I tell us, we will kill you.
re- Dick reused his strength and violently Shot
the his head.
lis. An oath burst from the lips Of both the me
lle- Both Of them exerted their strength hpon u
ler poker. For secord lac felt Thrill Of Tort
ike Ing pain, that penetrated to his very vias. l
an gusped. There was CONFUSION of asol
and Dick brave head fell slowly over upon
osi shoulder, his arms sank down, ard his DO
the seem-d TO settle in the bed, He had tainted.
aim Dick came to consciousness in about ten mi
les, tl;es, lie locked about linn The men w
and gone In their place stood the old eeutlems
His who was chatting his hands, and doing what
was could to revive the tortured lad.
pots My poor boy ~ he cried, "Upen your ey
tx aHl hook at me. Have they murdered you
/ he What tisnds Look w, Dick Are you 10
ina better?'
fed Tic then ran into the eutly and called alo
Ii, for help; and going to his closet, brought c
and medicines and restoratves. In fifteen minu
1t mole Dick was able to whisper his story. I
Iic- old ceuteman could hardly refrain from e
bracing him, in bis delight aud admiration
est lis fiithtlllness and bravery.
but you shall be my son, Dick. You arc
&C. brave, faihfll boy, and must always have Y
with me-
eces Dick forgot his pain in the new and p!eass
, he prospect that opened before him.
had Two days after This, Dick was carried il
be cosrt to identify the two wotlld-be robbers, "
iccp i'ad been arrested, anu VINO, after me u
ion. were sentenced 10 pri.on for their crime d
can cruelty. But in the months that follow
when he was enjoying the delight of plenty
MAJ b d!:s and plenty Of travel az the adopted
re- of his venerable friend, conld not restrain
y ia kindly feeling towards them, notwitnstand
tier brutality, for had they not been the iusl
ard ucnts by which he hsd entered upon ms
,me sent good fortune Youths Companion.
Zion -
STEWART HONE FOR WoNEN.--Mr. A.
pur- Stewarts Home for Young Women, says c
had respondent OLA Western paper, Is all fms
the except the interior work. 1t Is located
IN il Fourth avenue, between Thirty-secold
mall Ihirty-third streets. 1t has frontage Of