Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-04-27


the glass face looking in at the
window. 1t was no instant Of terror
but [ neither screamed nor moved.
The face cauld not see my face
and kept my body still, and rolled
the long, shining rings of my cold,
white fingers. It was an ugly face
and recognized 1t. I had seen il
that morning, and 1 knew what lay
before me. l prayed inwardly a
brief prayer for help.
Turning from the glass, l went
steadily toward table that stood
near the window and on which l had
left my candle. l moved steadily as
usual, and took up the water pitcher
and looked in, then took my candle
and went towards the kitchen. The
lightning kept flashing, but the face
did not come again. l dropped my
candle on the kitchen hearth and put
my foot on the wick. I set down
the pitcher on the dresser, and with
soft, light football, fastened through
the west room up the front stairs, in
to my fathers chamber, and softly
closed and bolted the door at the
head of the stairs. l unlocked his
box, took out both the bags of gold
relocked and made my way into the
great chamber.
I heard voices; 1 heard the doors
tried below. | knew 1t was not my
father. dared not grow faint.
went through that room and two 9th
ers to the garret stairs. l hardly
breathed. l heard a window pushed
up; more than one person came in al
it. l felt about me in the dark
There was a sliding panel in the in.
side of the stairway; pushed it and
it rolled back. l entered into long
closet under the stairs, and slid the
panel carefully into its place. I felt
cautiously to see if all was safe.
pulled my dress close about me les,
it might be caught, and the door
closed tightly. Then 1 waited. ]
heard steps coming up the stairs.
heard search through all the rooms
below. My heart beat till | thought
that each bound must be audible
heard voiccs-one voice the Ravens
knew the harsh croak. 1t told me
nothing. The face had revealed all
to me. The man must have learned
in some unaccountable way of the
bag of gold, and learned, too, when
here In the morning, that | was to be
alone. 1t was all plain to me now
He had returned and brought accom-
plices. My peril was terribly immi
nent. Very soon the voices came
my way. 1 could distinguish plainly
the words that were spoken.
"Drat her! she must have seen
YOU"
"No matter; we'll split the box
open with this Ak"
| knew the AK was in the little
porch. Thomas had set it there
when he had done chopping the
brush, as it looked like rain.
l heard the steps and voices move
away, q dull crashing sound, and
then stifed, angry tones. | knew
they had opened the box and found
nothing but the papers. knew they
would now search for me. | heard
them as they looked into every room
and closet, and came up the stairs
separated. They all met at the foot
of the garret stairs. A thick board
was between us. l thanked God
that the panel was close shut; knew
it; for no ray of light came through
"She must be up here" said tho
Raven, "and we'll soon have her."
sI'll warrant she is there, and III
wiring her neck if she makes noise
about it."
"But the thorough search was end
ed, and the voices grew very angry
and full of frightful oaths and threat
enings. They sat down on the gar
ret stairs to hold a parley. A spider
ran across my face. A spider puts
me in mortal fear. 1t was with :
great effort that l kept from scream
ing.
"Come," croaked the Raven, ole
us 60 and get the silver; that will be
somethlng-that will be something
Course the silver! It's the golc
Tve come for, and I'll burn the house
If l don't find the girl. So let hel
look out"
A cold perspiration. Would they
perform their threat?
"Good! then the rats will squeak
Down drop the money, bags, ant
We'll choke the girl to make hel
dumb"
"Hold your noise. The old mar
will be coming home and We'll b'
caught here. Be quick"
"Who cares for him! He's only
one; bludgeon will give him a han
dy little headache as he comes in"
"And his wife?"
They spoke low, hideous words
that made my flesh creep. | almos
was ready to call aloud, to open thu
panel, to give them the gold, and bic
them go. They got up, and th'
steps and voices went down. 1t was
horrible there in the dark. | was
sitting. | moved the panel slightly
No light entered. l slid it softly
back. My resolution was taken
I'd get out of the house, run dowr
the road and meet my father.
would save HIM. l left the gold II
the closet, shutting 1t. in close.
stole down two steps into the cham,
Der below. l knew there was 6
window up there, l crept across the
room listening keenly. l lifted my
self cautiously on the window ledge
and caught y branch of the cherry
tree which grew close to the house
Swinging myself lightly out,
hastily decended the trunk of the
tree, and found myself safe on the
ground.
No. The lightning flash betrayed
me. The Ravens voice shrieked
hoarsely.
"There she goes! Catch her, quick!
This way!"
Out at the front door came the pur-
suers, hardly ten steps from me. |
dashed toward the thick shrubbery
to throw them off the track. Fortu-
nately I know the way, every step of