The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-01-17


ward; indeed, from that time he had
been constantly growing worse. /
made him q cup OF strong tea, bathed
his head, and did oil in my power TO
arouse him from the stupor that
seemed to be rapidly overpowering
him. AT length, becoming alarmed,
| dispatched the wood.sawyer for the
nearest physician. He soon returned,
saying that the doctor would be there
in half ap hour. Eight, nine, ten
o'clock came, no doctor. / looked
from the door, but the drift
ing snow kept every person within
doors, so that could not see a single
] could not leave my help.
less babe and apparently dying hus-
band, who now lay perfectly uncon-
scious, bis livid face aud heavy labored
breathing awakening my greatest
fears; so with a fervent prayer that
God, in His infinite mercy, would
spare my dear one, ! prepared TO
spend the night in watching by his
side.
"Eleven o'clock. and still no change
for tho better. The fire was burning
low and took the coal scuttle to re-
plenish il with coal. AS knew that
the wind would extiuguish the lamp
/ thought that | would find my way
to the coal house in the dark. AS |
stepped upon the kitchen porch l
started, thinking that / heard the
sound of voices. Robberies had been
frequent, particularly during tho last
few months, and for the first time
that night thought of the large sum
of money now lying in the house. /
was not mistaken. Notwithstanding
the violence OF the storm could hear
persons conversing in the coal.house,
silently approaching, | could distin-
guish the words. To my amazement
the voice was that of Mr.. Tremainc.
care you perfectly sure he said,
'that she has had no opportunity to
send the money back to Lee IL Broth
ers.'
"'Surel OF course Tn sure an
swered the other. Haven't watched
the house all the EVENING" She came
TO the door two or three times and
looked up and down the street; bu,
no one would be out such a night as
this
Have you seen Gordon 2
AYES. She sent me for the doctor
and hid myself bit, and then went
and told her the doctor would be
there in half an hour. Gordon
brcathed so hard that you could hear
him all over the house; his face was
purple, almost black, and he appeared
not to know anything
"'Yes, / suppose so. gave Tom
the wink to give him strong dose
Did You remove the bolts aud window
fastenings from the store room!'
ayes; | did that when went tc
tell Mrs. Gordon about the doctor
You have done well. If we sue
ceed you shall have three thousand
How about that shanty of yours OF
Pigeon Lake? Can we take her there
and will there bc anybody 10 tax,
care of her 2
"Of course; l have an Indian wifi,
there and two grown daughters. Sh'
must he gagged and well wrapped ul
in the buffalo robes for the last sixt,
miles you must hire Indians TO carr.
her. But what will you do with th,
child? Will you take that tooy"
mo. i shall leave that with Cor
don. II he lives-which is doubtful
for he took a strong dose-he viii
think that his wife stole the none
and deserted him and the child. Il
careful TO replace the bolts and lcav
everything secure but the front door
l have made Gordon think that hi
wife is discontented-tired of he
hard life and longing for ease an
wealth.
"When will the sleigh be here?
"At 10 o'clock precisely. Yo
must be ready for action then, bu
now you had better see that all is safe
II had stood as one spell boun
while the villains discussed their plan,
and now / dragged myself wearil
into the kitchen, closed and bolte
the door, and then went back to til
bedside of my husband. took m
sleeping baby from its crib and laid
by its fathers side, and taking th
money from the drawer placed it III
der his pillow. A revolver lay on tn
secretary, and Harry had taught m
how to use il. examined the barre
to see that all were loaded an
primed, and laid it on table by til
bedside; then, after one prayer fc
Divine aid and protection, / seate
myself once more by the side of m
apparently dying husband to bath
his head and breast, and do what litt
/ could to arouse him from the fea
full stupor which l now feared mui
end in death. That was a terrib
watch, dear Anna. The strong arr
that had always been ready to prote,
me now Lay weak and powerless .
an infants; and I, frail and timi
woman, was left alone to defend m,
self and my dear ones from the cru
villains already on the watch to il
wade our peaceful home.
/ Twelve O'Clock! How soon
came! Not quite one; but there WI
a slight noise at the store room Wi
aows. My ears were strained |
catch the slightest sound; a do.
| opened softly, and muaaed steps wei
heard crossing the kitchen floor.
raised the revolver, with my finger Z
the trigger; then two men vii
masked faces bending forward ar
peering carefully around Them, sto
slowly into the parlor; they were ju
/ opposite my bedroom door, whe
taking deliberate aim, fired, ono
i /.