Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-12-02

At last the clock struck nine. and
listened for the expected football; yet
moment aftsr moment passed away, and
he came not. IN hour passed." lie has
met friend,"1 said; then, They have
gone to sup At the motel, or the new
restaurant" enforced patience for
another hour.
The time wore slowly away, rs ! sat or
paced the room in al increasing uneasiness
and alarm. Twelve O'Clock tolled forth
from the ebony time piece On the mantal.
could delay no longer, but / was torn by
conflicting duties. How could leave
the house where my innocent
little one slept? How refrain from gain
ing some knowledge of the whereabouts of
the dear helpless husband who had never
left me alone when it was possible to be
with me? Every theory accounting for
his absence IVES flung to the winds. no
longer streve to think lie was in safety.
| carefully secured the fire, turned low
the lamp, and wrapping my shawl about
me, stepped into the dark wet street. As
| turned the key in the lock, and sent up
IN unuttered prayer for the little uncon-
swell of wind swept round the corner and
DlCTCCu LAY WI ApS W ILL XII ICY CIlill. i
waited no longer, hut with fleet footsteps l
darted along the dark. deserted streets.
Winged by fear, the way was passed
swiftly, and soon stood in the principal
street. No lights were visible save one
dimlv in my husbands Office l no longer
needed assurance that something was
wrong l hurried on, burst recklessly into
we'll as my husband, and then. without a
moments pause, turned the lock and
stepped into my husbands Office.
Naturally timid, only the deadly fear
that possessed me could have made me
forget that l was perhaps rushing into
undreamed-of danger.
As opened the door the wind rushed
in, and the faint light tiickered and died
out | had thrust matches in my pocket.
unknowing why, and a moment sutlicel
to rekindlc the light AS did SO, a faint
moan-a strange sound like An animal in
pain, struck my ear. 4 cod shudder of
fear crept over me. but finished lighting
the kerosene lamp, and replacing the
chimney unDroken. 1t burned clear, and
| gazed round tremblingly for the cause of
the strange sound l had heard, and, AS |
did So noticed the evident disorder Of the
room. the saIe-door swinging open, and
papers scattered on the floor. | seemed to
notice without seeing them-to see only
my husband stretched pallid and CHASTITY
on the floor in the corner of the room.
Oh. Bella, Bella was all l said, |
think but | knclt by his side and strove
with the cords that bound him. with the
gsg thrust into his bleeding mouth.
| removed that first, and bathed tn,
death cold brow. In moment heard
him murmur :, word or two with great
difficulty. but they directed my attention
to his pockets. in which presently found
a knife. with which severed the cords
could not lift him. He WAS large and tall
and the loss Of his arm made him very
helpless. Besides he had lain on tn,
severed limb. and had endured agonics
and his strength WAS much exhausted.
In nv haste to call assistance ran on,
to the dark hall, from which stairs rose to
the second story and, in my reckless flight
encountered a man who seemed to have
crouchcd at their foot. | screamed. and
the sound WAS heard, and followed 10y the
sudden opening of doors above. The man
rushed past me, and WAS lost in the dark
ness of the night and the deserted streets
| | went back and found Bella in grea,
! agitation, struggling to rise.
Has he gone? Why don't they try to
catch him We're his Agitated questions
and. God forgive me, deemed him losing
his senses from the fear and suffering Ii,
had undergone.
Five minutes later the office was tillcC
with men, he WAS raised to Il seat
4, 4 I
t" speak.
"Go after that man." he said wildly
the Iobber, | mean. Did any one SEE
which way he Went? Just saw him ru>l
past the door," he continued bv way o.
cxplanati, n, when he saw that he was no.
understood. In moment half-a-duze1
men started in pursuit.
Then we gathered and secured til,
papers and locked the SAT. and office
Thousands Of dollars were missing, an,
Bella looked ruin in the face. He sale
little but | knew the agitation would b,
procured and took Us nome, and triendl,
nrighbors volunteered to take care of til,
place. and conduct the pursuit
There Was but one man." Bella said
- he came in about nine o'clock and began
him to come in the morning. turned to thu
door as i! to 90. got up to set things te
rights before leaving. when. as nv bacI
was toward him. he rasiied suddenly upoI
me- and thrust this gag into nv moutl
before had time to cry out. l defcndc,
myself AS well as l could, with nv let
hand, when he threw me down. bound me
as YOU saw, and taking the KEY of the SAT,
from my pocket, helped himself to what
ever he chose of its valuable contents
The result is, | am ruined unless he cal
he found Here in this lighted room, on :
public street. and in Il building occupiet
by many tenants, it was all done SO silently
u, to arouse no attention. When he Ia,
finished. he turned down the light An,
went out, carefully clo>in. tine door.
hardly think should have lived till morn
ing owe my life to my dear wife"
We found our home safe, and little Bel:
sleeping soundly; and we tried to sleeI
ourselves, but in vain. Bella was sutierin.
in body and frantic with anxiety. W,
knew not how to meet this terrible mis-
fortune.
rose before the dawn. which came lat,
that lowering wintry morning. l was yer,
sad, but my duties demanded attention al
the same us II was perfectly happy.
The light glanced and glimmered from
the windows rs | moved about. and sool
l was surprised at the quick, loud ringing
of the bell.
Il hope they have caught him. criet
aloud rs fastened toward tine door
prepared to hear the report of som,
neighbor.
But nothing was to be seen; and afte
looking around | was turning away
wondering and disappointed, when m,
foot touched L package that lay on tn
threshold. l picked it up and carried i
within to examine it by the lamp. 1t wa
a small, square package, neatly folded il
brown paper, and addressed to me.
opened it curiously, wondering, but no
guessing what it contained.
Numerous wraps were laid aside an,
then came Il LARGE, flat portfolio or bill