The Russellville Democrat., 1877-03-22
CLOSE YOUR SHUTTERS.

CLOSE YOUR SHUTTERS.
 It was between ten and eleven o'clock on wet and chilly evening in Novem. Der, that sat alone by my comfortable library fire. My sister and nieces had zone to party, and the servants had re- tired, the kitchen, being as is generally the case at the south, a building de- tached from the house.
 I had been very busy settling some household and other accounts, and count. ing money just collected, to be next day deposited in bank. Having now con- cluded this business, I put away my books and papers, carefully locked the money in private drawer of my secre. tary; then, producing 8 decanter and little brass kettle, was presently calmly imbibing steaming beverage of sugar, lemon.iuice, water and one or two other ingredients-a sovereign remedy against cold. Not that l was as yet affected in the adage that Gan ounce of preven- tive is worth a pound of cure."
 I was just falling ints state of luxu- rious drowsiness, when slight noise at my window aroused me. I listened. and the sound was repeated. The library, I may observe, was on the first parlor-floor of the house, and the window was about eight feet from the pavement
 Rising, opened the window and saw two figures standing on the portico of the adjoining house, which, by-the-bye, had been for some time unoccupied. The dim light of the nearest street-lamp showed one of these men muffled in a great coat, whilst from beneath the loose cloak of the ether caught gleam of the belt and buttons of policeman's uniform.
 "I want to speak to you," said the latter, leaning forward and speaking in a tow voice. "I am officer Perrin of the Third district. Open the door, but do it with as little noise as possible"
 1 ebeyed, and found the two men standing on the threshold. Officer Per rin, as l coniron.ed him, looked not at me, but beyond me, over my shoulder, into the farthest recesses of the hall as though searching for some enc. Then, with a silent salute, he entered, followed rather reluctantly, it seemed--by the . other man, and both tiptoed noiselessly across the hall into the library. But first, to my surprise, the policeman, on my turning the key in the door, had tried the bolt, and, removing the key, silently handed it to me.
 In the library Perrin turned to me.
 You are Mir. Sanders, I presume" he said in the same low voice as before. whilst he carefully shook the rain-drops from his oil skin cap.
 "Yes."
 Have you, or has one of the house. hold, admitted any person at the front door within the last quarter of an hour 2" No; am alone in the house. No one has entered but yourselves"
 The two exchanged glances and signi- fcant nod'.
 "Thtn," resumed Perrin impressively, | have to inform you don't be startled or make any exclamation--that there is >probably at this moment burglar in the sE house."
 "A bug"
 He checked me with motion of his finger, and at the same time turned his ear Tn listening attitude towards the door of the dining room. adjoining.
 What room is that? ?"
 told him. He turned on full blaze of gas went to the door, drawing pisto as he did so, listened moment or two then, opening the door wide, gazec around with keen, searching eyes.
 I"Is the farthest door locked? Ant s,ose closets?"
 believe so but he proceeded to in ,vestigate for himself, still holding thu cooked pistol in his hand, and said, as h. nodded toward the plate on the closet shelves:
 It is here that they will naturall, try, No doubt it is this that they ar' alter, unless you have other valuables il the house."
 Nothing, except the ladies jewelry. " That is up stairs, I suppose? w will first search this floor thoroughly and then proceed above" " But" said little nervously; "wha leads you to suppose that there are burg lars in the house ?"
 I was coming up Foushee street jus now-not on duty tonight, you see when met this gentleman here Mr. eh?"
 " Goodman - James Goodman - Be yin's furniture factory" said the man the great coat, speaking for the fir: time.
 An! He stopped me, and said h bad just seen something suspicious man standing ir the portico of the nez house here, leaning over and stealthil looking in at lighted window tn window, you sec"
 Good gracious" said I, remembe ing the money had been counting.
 That led me to watching him. sai Goodman, taking up the narrative " Sispped into dark doorway, and sa him come down and go up the front stel ol this house. He stood there co siderable time, now and then steopiI