The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-02-03

nolselessl ly to the window and peeped out,
but he could see nothing. Then creeping
to the washstand he laid his money-belt
in the drawer and closed it, He then
threw himself on the bed and once more
waited.
After an hour had apparently gone by,
Mr.. Spencer threw off his coat aud vest,
tumbled up the bed, hobbled to the door,
unlocked it, and stepped out into the hall.
This was all in accordance with Carrie
plan.
Landlord landlord p he shouted.
He then went back into the room and
noiselessly threw up the window, all the
time shouting for the landlord
That worthy came flying up the stairs,
and late as it was, he was still dressed.
ooh, landlord - gasped Mr.. Spencer,
rushing toward him, ~ have been robbed
my money all gone !"
"Gone II echoed the landlord in dsmay.
"Who could have stolen it" groaned
Mr. Spencer 81 had five thousand dol.
lars in belt, and it is gone-stolcn r.
The landlord lit the candle and looked
around, chagrin depicted on every feature
Why don't you wake your daughter,
sir ?" he questioned.
Mr.. Spencer hurried to her bed
Carrie, Carrie r. he called, but no an.
swer came and the landlord, drawing near
with the light, saw the dummy, and cried;
Why, man, the girl isn't there y
"What ?" gaspcd Mr. Spencer. "Oh,
see it all The wicked girl has robbed
me while | slept, and run off to meet her
lover, from whom was taking her. "
He ran to the window, followed by the
landlord.
AYES, yes, here are footprints in the
snow on the she'd r. cried the landlord,
while Mr. Spencer groaned aloud "How
long do you think she has been gone, sir?'
asked the landlord.
'' For an hour or more, the deceitful
jade !" replied Mr.. Spencer
"Then there's no use to look for her,
sir, " said the landlord
"Oh, but | must p cried Mr.. Spencer,
as he began to descend the stairway, fol-
lowed by the landlord, who had believed
every word Mr.. Spencer said,
They proceeded to the barn, followed BY
the landlords confederates They found
the horse gone, and her mode of flight was
easily explained,
" You may as well give her up, sir, "
said the landlord, consolingly.
" suppose [ may" groaned Mr.. Spcn-
Ger, and they returned to the house.
As they left the barn he heard the land.
lord whisper to one of his cofederates,-
1.-The jobs up, Jem-wcd better let the
old man alone
Once more entering the room, Mr.. Spen-
Ger threw himself upon the bed and await
ed the return of his brave daughter.
" God bless her and bring her back in
safety" he murmured.
Meanwhile all grew still, and the hours
rolled by. The fire had been raked up
and cracked on merrily. The eyes were
not looking from the bust; they had eyi,
IDENTITY disappeared for the night,
At last, after what seemed an age to the
anxious watcher, he heard loud knock
on the front entrance, and five minutes
afterward heard the landlord stumble TO
the door. Then followed confused jun.
Bile of curses and struggles, then a rush of
many feet up the long hall and stairway.
The next minute the door was thrown
open and his daughter rushed in, followed
by the officers, who dragged in the land
lord and his confederates
"Oh, father p she cried, you are safe,
safe !" and throwing her arms around his
neck the brave girl burst into happy tears.
The sheriff and his posse of men held
the landlord and his confederates in a vice
like grasp, while Carrie related the adyen-
lures of her perilous ride.
after left the barn led Tommy to
a fence, all unsadded, sprang on him,
wound my arms tightly around his neck,
and whispered, $50, Tommy y and away
he went like the wind. Up and down,
over the frozen road we went My arms
felt ike ice, thought | should certainly
freeze, and after what seemed to be an age
of cold and pain, and misery, We dashe 4
into the main street of $. As we
came up in front Of the tavern the stage
drove up, aud the inmates sprang out and
rushed to my assistance must have
been almost insensible, for | had to be
carried in by the landlord. l was given
warm drinks until | fully recovered, and
was able to relate my story, told them
my suspicious and my fears, and this gen.
tleman here Carrie paused, and turning
to fine looking man near her, said,
"Mr. James, by his ready belief in what
| told, and his energy and spirit in arous-
ing the sheriff and his men, has been the
main cause in bringing assistance"
Mr. Spencer grasped the young mans
hand, and thanked him.
"Your plan succeeded admirably, Car
rie," he said; and advancing to the wash
stand, he took out the money-belt, saying,
"my money is all right as you see."
The landlord quiyered with rage as he
saw how completely he had been defeated
As the men began to search the room,
the landlord protested his innocence, de.
claring that they had no right to hold
him or his men prisoners, or to search the
house.
Breaking open the door, above which
was the bust, the men rushed in. The
room was empty, save for long ladder,
which reached shelf above the door. A
hole above the shelf disclosed the bust to
be broken in half, so that a man could
easily climb up the ladder, get on the shelf,
thrust his head in the bust, which was
large enough for an ordinary mans head,
and see all that was going on in the ad.
joining room.
This certainly looked suspicious, but ab,
solute proof was yet wanting On return,
ing to the room occupied by Mr.. Spencer,
they again searched every nook and cor
ner. Suddenly, Carrie and Mr.. James,
who had been standing by the fireplace,
gave loud cry, for on close examination
they had found spots of blood on the bricks
which formed the hearth.
They began to pull up the bricks, which
proved loose, when Carrie, feeling faint
1