The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1874-01-03
terrible sounds were succeeded by
an awful silence.


terrible SOUNDS were succeeded Dy
an awful silence.
Poor Kate felt that if more enc
mines came, her position was
desperate one. How could she for
any time defend herself agaisnt a
number of robbers?
She could scarcely reckon upon
the dog, for she dared not let him
out, as she could not be certain
whether the man in the room be
low was dead or alive.
And if they should attack the
house from before and behind at
the same time, she knew that she
was lost, for no help could come
to her; for who, in such severe
weather, would be likely to be pass
ing on even the high road, which
went through the woods not far
from the house? Once more she
prayed earnestly for help from
above. She then looked round the
house to see if any fresh danger
was theatening, and perceiving
nothing she went back to the room
where her weapons lay, to see what
was going on before the door as
the dog kept barking in the room
below.
just as she got to the window,
she saw an armed, bad looking fel-
low approach the house. At first
he tried to be polite, and inquired:
Have you seen an old man pass
by heres'
: Yes replied the girl.
! Where is he! Have you let him
in?'
. These words were spoken in a
fierce and insolent tone.
I shall only answer civil ques-
tions, replied the girl.
Where is her cried the robber,
with an oath Have you murdered
him? Then commend your soul to
God!'
4 have a helper below, my father s
wolf dog, who has fought with him,
and as you hear, the dog is victor.
More than this I know nothing of
him.
Open the door, then, that I may
see after him-he is my brother!'
cried the robber.
/, That may be- replied the girl;
the dog then will serve you as he
did your brother
Bah! cried the robber; my
double barreled gun has two bull
lets-one for you, the other for the
dog. Open quickly!
The girl leaned back, seized her
weapon, and took aim, at the mo-
ment when the blow from the rob
ber made the door tremble.
Back! cried she, 'or 1 will shoot
you down.
He jumped back q few steps, and
quickly pointed his gun up toward
the window; but at the same mo
ment there was a flash and a report
fom above, and the robber first
sprang up, and then fell backward
in the snow, q stream of blood pour
ing from a wound in his breast.
$. Kate's courage now gave place
to anguish and sorry of heart. He,
eyes were fixed on that terrible
sight of the dead body. Her bal
had killed him!
b. What maidens heart could bea1
! such a thought as that?
| = In her despair, she fred the othe1
barrel of the gun out of the win
dow, and then both barrels of tn,
second gun. Quickly she loaded
them all again, and fred them Of
one after the other. This she die
five times.
! Then she perceived, with dismay
that the suppy of powder was get
!. ting low, and she was not sure tba
the robber she had wounded woult
/ not collect his comrades
! But her distress lasted only
short time. Two mounted police
men were riding up the road from
Wilhelm, having heard the day be
fore, from o peasant, that he ha.
seen three suspicious looking mel
lurking about there.
| If the policemen had not met tn
well known forester and his famil
lat the gate at Wilhelm, they Nigh
have heard hundred shots fire.
in succession, and taken no motto
of them, for they would have tho
that the forester was chasing wolve
through the deep snow; but now
struck them that there might be a
attack and danger to the forester
house. So they at once turne
| from the road, and hastened thithel
+ When Kate saw the two policemen
| a new terror seized her, as she too
them at first for robbers in disguis,
but when they came nearer, she reco.
nized the two men, whom she ha
often seen before.
| "Kate" cried one to her, "youl
was a master shot. and good dee,
too, for this is one of the worst rasca
among the mountains-a robber whOl
we have long been pursuing, but nevt
able to catch. 1t is all over with hi
now, for you have shot him throug
the heart!'
/, A shiver passed through the bra,
girl at these words.
"Oh! God be thanked and praise
that you have come, otherwise shoul
have died of terror; for in the roo
below, have another, with whom o,
Sultan has been fighting"
Come, then, and open the dot
.quickly!" exclaimed both.
Kate moved her barricade of woo
from the door and opened it.
The dog barked for joy when
heard the girls voice.