The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-11-13

treasures which they were suspected of
having secreted. The family had been
In the habit OF hiding money and
valuables underneath the flooring of a
room in the lower story, and in the
western corner of the house, as a place
Of safety and security which would not
be suspected by the ordinary robber.
But the uncle knew better than to risk
even this place of concealment when
such parties as the Doanes were about,
who, in addition to their own natural
sagaclty and experience, seemed to be
well informed by secret allies of Just
who had valuables in their possession,
and just where they were likely to be
secreted. Accordingly he told his
nephew to carry the money, consisting
of gold and silver, to the premises of O
trusted neighbor, Richard Wilgus, living
on property afterward long owned by
the Summers family, and throw it into
the swill barrel, which was kept full of
the gruntiDg porkers' favorite food
This was quickly done, Wilgus In
formed of the strategy, and Griffith
returned home. And none too soon, for
in half an hour five or six fierce-looking
men, members of the predatory band,
came riding up to the lonely farm house,
and in threatening manner peremp-
torily demanded the money. Even the
Doanes, accustomed as they were to the
preparation of deeds of violence and
crime, had their own codes of honor,
and some loose, imperfect notions of
morality and justice. So they opened
the conference with the Treasurer with
some preliminary observations, hoping
to gain their object without having to
use force or doing bodily harm towards
one who had never offended them by
word or deed
We do not wish to punish u man of
your age, and know you are worthy,
respectable sort of man, concerning
whose talk we have inquired and have
never heard that you have said aught
against us, but the money we must
have!"
This was true, as Griffith, very care
full, cautious man, had been reticent in
his language and comments to Others
concerning The Doanes as he habitually
was on other matters.
But" said Grifflt tn, 81 will tell you
to your faces that think that you are
precious bad set of fellows, from what 1
have heard Of your doings.'
Rather pleased than offended at his
frankness they replied, eve take this
at your hands, as you honestly say what
you think of us to our own faces, but
have refrained from talking about us
behind our backs, or boasting what you
would do if you had us in your power"
1t would have been the worse for him
if the case had been different. OF course
the Treasurer stoutly denied having the
funds, and told them he could not give
them what was not in his possession.
But we saw you on the road from
Newtown, and know you had the money
in your possession, although we were
not in position to take you before
reaching home"
Believing his assertion only natural
subterfuge to prevent the loss of the
money, they proceeded to put their in
credulity into practice, and forth
with thoroughly searched both the
family and the premises, and especially
making straight for the room whose
flooring had been repeatedly taken up
before and removed the boards under
meath, where they were quite sure that
the object of their visit would be found.
Great was their disappointment and
chagrin at not finding the coveted
plunder, and they told Griffith that they
knew he was in the habit of secreting
his funds there. The latter endeavored
to turn the matter off by saying that it
was convenient place for the women
folks to store away pots of preserves and
jams for safe keeping, But mounting
their horses the rough-looking visitors
left the house of Griffith without offer
ing violence, who was only too thank
full and glad that he had so well escaped
outrage and robbery from the bold and
lawless bandits. But his trepidation did
not prevent him from gazing with ad-
miration upon the most splendid speci-
men of physical manhood he had ever
looked upon, and concerning whose
fine appearance and the story of their
visit he was never tired of relating in
after days.
They quickly proceeded to the house
of Wilgus, more than half persuaded