The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-10-01

49,
or passages. When she reached the
head of the stairs she opened the door
and went in, and stood till they follow
ed her.
This is very dark passage" she
said: but 1t is not narrow we just go
right to the end of it, and then" At
that instant the light disappeared from
her hand, she slipped back, and before
the men had time to think or move she
had the door shut and locked upon
them. 1t was strong door and
strong lock.
"They can't break it open ih less
than ten minutes" she thought. She
flew down the stairs like bird the
front door was locked and barred and
chained, but her fingers served her WELL
In instant she was out. The gate of
the shrubbery was fastened too; she
tore it open, and away down through
the darkness and the mud she ran like
a hare to the hinds' houses, losing her
slippers by the way. Bursting in at the
front door, she had only breath enough
to grasp:
"There are robbers in the house they
may kill Mr.. Elliott
1t being Sunday night and supper
time, the men were all in their own
houses; they did not stop to think or
think, but snatched up pitchfork or
poker, whichever came first, and rushed
in body to the house.
John and Nelly sat looking at each
other from the chairs which they could
in nowise leave. The house doors were
both wide open, and a cold draught
swept through the house.
"Some one went out,' said John.
"The doors are all open at least" said
Nelly.
{" hear nothing" said John "what
can they be doing, the rascals ?''
BE glad you are not shot," said his
wife philosophically.
There would have been some salts
faction in being shot, but to be tied like
a sheep in my own house ~ groaned
John.
The robbers were not tied but they
were trapped, and had the satisfaction
of cursing their own simplicity and
stupidity. They struck a match, and
found there was no outlet from their
prison but the door; it was bathroom
and lighted from the roof, which was
high, and to try to climb the walls was
hopeless f; from top to bottom there was
nothing that either a hand or foot could
lay hold of. The only chance was to
break open the door, which they could
have managed in time, but they had not
time; many feet were on the stairs, and
voices discussing what had better be
done. Some consideration was needed
before opening door upon two desperate
men armed with revolver.
A minute or two after the farm
servants Hebe came on the scene again
with coil of ropes in her hand.
II noticed them in the barn yester-
day." she said, "and brought them in
to tie the men. Maybe you should just
watch the door, and let them be where
they are till the police come"
This suggestion was approved of and
adopted; half dozen men planted
selves on the stairs; one was sent off on
horseback for the police, and another
for Mr.. Elliot's brother, both spreading
the news as they went; and people be-
ing all at home and unemployed, the
population of the district set in for
Stonylea, and in short time congre-
cation was gathered not much inferior
in numbers to those drawn by Messrs.
Moody and Sankey. Mr.. and Mrs. Ell
liot were well known and respected,
and, besides, such an outrage had not
been heard of in the district within the
memory of the Oldest inhabitant.
Having posted her sentinel, Hebe
hastened to the relief of her master and
mistress; her face was bright from
exercise and excitement, and, the danger
being over, only very strong sense
of propriety enabled her to suppress a
hearty laugh, the situation was nov
ell and, as it struck her, comic. She cut
the cords that bound Mr.. Elliot, and he
stood up free man.
''You have done well the night, las
sie," he said.
Have?'' she said little surprised
she did not know that she had displayed
the valuable qualities of resource, pres
ence of mind and quick and deft exc
cution. Even Nelly, when she looked
at her own wrists showing the marks of
the cord that had bound them. felt that