The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-03-18

witRan unknown being who had hidden
himself-God only knew for what pur-
pose. To have shown the least alarm or
suspicion of his presence would have
been to court immediate death; for felt
well assured that one who had taken the
trouble to secrete himself would have
been deferred by no scruples to gain his
own ends. What was | to do2 IL is
true that my husbands dressing-room
opened out of my bedroom; but there
was no other outlet from it, and the key,
moreover, was in the bedroom by the
side of the door. So | discarded that
idea in despair. Then | thought OF SIT
ting up and reading all night; but this,
too, would be of no use; for, even sup
posing / could keep awake, the rutlian
would soon lose patience, and | would
have to face him. Far better, then, to
go to bed, simulate sleep, and trust to
Providence for the rest. Accordingly |
put out the light, and with a beating
heart as neared the spot where knew
he was concealed, | crept to bed. 10
have told me not to 60 to sleep would
have been so much breath wasted, for
l never felt less inclination to do so.
The Pickering of the freight enabled me
to discern the surrounding objects, while
without the incessant patter otthe rain,
as it fell from the caves, seemed to make
the silence more oppressive. By degrees
/ began to breathe little heavily. and at
regular intervals, as one just dropping of
TO sleep, and | even went so far as to
feign a snore. After had lain like this
for what seemed to me hours, but what
could not really have been more than
twenty minutes, a slight motion behind
the curtain told me that at last my enc
my was about to come out | immedi-
ately closed my eyes; and only just in
time, for the next instant felt that he
was bending over me to ascertain whether
| was really asleep.
'Having assured himself on this point,
he went to the window, opened it, and
gave low whistle. Another minute,
and ladder was placed against the sill
and soon a second man was standing by
the first. | then perceived that both
wore black masks, and | heard the one
who Just entered ask the other whether
the old gal hadtwigged anything
No. he answered; she went to bed
as quietly as a newborn lamb
"'Then let's set to work at once
"With these words, to my great joy, /
saw them going toward my husbands
dressing-room. But | had counted my
chickens too soon, for one of them, turn
ing back, came and flashed the candle be-
fore my eyes, as if to convince himself
that my sleep was unfeigned. To keep
still during this ordeal vas most trying;
for had l betrayed the slightest con-
sciousness of his presence, or otherwise
moved in the least, it would have been
all up with me. Seemingly satisfied he
rejoined his companion, and heard
them rife the plate chest, which had
been placed there for greater security,
with no unwomailike hands All at
once an idea flashed across my mind
how, if by getting out of bed quietly, l
could reach the door, turn the key upon
them, and so catch them in complete
trap?
"No sooner thought of than done;
gently | turned back the clothes and
glided from the bed. As my foot touched
the floor the clock was striking the first
strokes of twelve, and | thought l heard
in the far distant the thud of a horses
gallop. True it was very faint; and |
imagined that perhaps after all my hear
ing had deceived me; so | stealthily ad-
vanced. | was within three steps of the
door when | stumbled over foot-stool
had not noticed The noise caused the
robbers to look round, and our eyes met.
Then came the race for life, for | knew
that | might expect no mercy at their
hands. We were within an equal dis
tance of the door, which, as | before
mentioned, locked on my side. | made
rush forward, and caught hold of the
handle; they on their side did the same.
For one moment l thought | was lost;
but then, gathering up my remaining
strength into one final effort, pulled it
to, turned the key, and with one long
scream fell senseless on the floor.
"'When | recovered | found myself in
the arms of my husband while a second
glance round the room showed me my
two visitors in the hands of a policeman.
The 'denoument' is easily explained.
"My husband, upon arriving at his
uncle's, found him in the most perfect
health, and quite innocent of having
sent him any message. Being alarmed at
this he hurried back, and on his way
through the village had got the constabu-
larry force (which. by-the-by, consisted of
only one man) to accompany him to his
house. When within a few PAGES of it
they heard my scream, and seeing the
ladder against the window, had hurried
up to it. And only just in time, for the
robbers were on the point of breaking
through the door, 1t is almost needless
to add that the man hidden in my room
was the servant we had discharged, and
who, ont of revenge, had planned this
robbery with one of his pals. In fort
nights time they were wanted over the
seas, where have no doubt they are
still Illuminating there over the vicissi-
& I -