The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-10-01


though determined there would be O
change in that board of directors an
other year.
"About week after this our secre-
tary returned from Boston on the EVEN
ing train and brought with him fifty
thousand dollars, and all in greenbacks,
the proceeds of our monthly bills re-
ceivable. He brought the money in
bills because the day following was our
payday.
al was in most perplexing state of
mind when he handed me that money.
I knew the Office safe was no protection
whatever, and yet if carried the money
home with me 1 was assuming great
responsibility. Without saying a word
to any one L determined to keep the
money with me. 1 found an old din
ner-basket i'll the Office and 1 carried it
home in that.
"You may be assured that I did not
feel very comfortable that evening.
thought Of every nook and corner in
the house, and wondered where would
be the safest. At last I determined
upon dividing it, leaving half here and
the rest IN my own room. 1 had not
mentioned the matter at home, mot even
to my %ife. but plead headache when
reminded Of my preoccupied air.
81 came in here and placed twenty
five thousand dollars in that ottoman
at your feet. See the top is on
hinges, and is fastened by this hook on
the side. This ottoman I pushed near
Nap The balance L carried to my
own room and put it in the stove, think.
ing that would be the last place where
any one would look for it. went to
bed, but it was nearly midnight before
fell asleep.
"I was awakened to find q mans
hand on my mouth, and to be informed
that he did not intend to harm me if [
kept quiet. My hands were then tied
behind me, a towel fastened in my
mouth, and the muzzle of a pistol placed
against my head. Another man was
treating my wife in a similar manner.
They had dark-lantern and wore
masks.
! "After securing us they began to
search the room. First my clothes,
then the bureau drawers, under the bed
everywhere but where the money was.
> L began to think had outwitted them,
when one said to the other How S
| that stove?' Another minute and they
were pulling out the money.
f "Imagine my feelings if you can.
Even if they left with this amount it
. was 40 small sum to lose. l could al
: most have cried right then and there.
One ran over the amount and said
!; to the other, Only half here My
e heart grew colder than before. They
: went to the easy-chair and cut open the
o stuffed seat they picked up the otto
man, examined it, and went out of the
+ room.
/ 81 was trying to get up when one
came back-the other had the money
: he pushed me back into the bed, saying
, 1 had better be quiet. I heard the
4 other man walk down stairs and l knew
l my money was gone. They evidently
! knew how much money had, and froEl
5 the way they had ripped open chairs
: and cushions in my room, they would
S not be long searching for that which
was down stains.
n "The fellow must have come straight
o to this door. I heard him turn the
q latch, and then-a most unearthly
. scream knew that NAP was doing
i his duty. In fash jumped to the
floor, and in doing SO gave wrench tc
the band about my wrists that broke it,
d and then before the man on guard
[ could fire, caught his revolver. He
made stroke at me, L lodged it,
:. caught him by the legs and threw him
. AS he fell he gave up his hold on the
revolver.
81 cared nothing for him, wanted
the man who had the money; so I dash
y ed down the stairs, only to see him go
i ing out the hall door. L fired, bu
missed him 1 fred again and heard {
t cry of pain; L fired once more anG
o broke his ankle and down he dropped
: The other man jumped out of the win
dow and escaped.
: "Of course [ secured my man, re
. covered my money, and old Evans hat
!; to admit that he had been wrong fol
: the robbers had first gone to the Office
and came to my house only when the,
g found the safe empty. Another revela
e lation that the morning brought was {
: confession from my prisoner that on
ok-keeper was one of their gang anC
e posted them about our affairs. The
: book-keeper did not come to work tina
:. morning, nor have we ever seen hin
g since"
0 And the dog?" I asked.
j "Yes, the dog had all the credit
f You see, the thief supposed by the 81
: ence that there was no dog about tn
premises, and he thought he was dom
!, for when he opened the door and Nap
sprang at him."
$ "But," said I, "he was frightened
t rather easily these fellows usually d,
Y not care much for dog"
t 81 guess he never saw quite such
y dog as NAP was that night" sait
b Alick, laughing. "I had rubbed hi
f eyes and mouth with phosphorus, anC
n put on the strong spring. 1 don
blame the fellow for imagining the evi
d one was before him."
4 phosphorus and strong spring I
: L exclaimed; "what are you talking
}, about ?"
d "His eyes are glass, you know"
d "Glass Have you been drinking
,, or have II"
st "Why, old fellow, don't you see tina
y NAP is fraud ?"
> Jumped to the dog, and sure enougl
). L had been badly sold the dog wa
70 hadia-rubber Alick laughed lou
1t and long at my sheepish face.
Is the story as true as the dog ?"
Is asked.
k sob, the story is true as preaching
d 1 bought Nap when was in Paris.
3. have springs fixed on the door and il
y the floor, so that when the door
n opened the dog stands up, and whe
le he is up there is an arrangement in hi
Ia throok tbot ,,olzao tho oroUl Won haard