The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-02-28

this thought evoked, there was 0 stitled
exclamation--a shutting and tramplng
of feet--a crash of glass, and a heavy iall
on the floor The next moment Perrlnb
voice was heard shouting loudly;
Hello, here Saundersl Goodman!
Quick I've got him down
rushed up and attempted to open, the
door. To my surprise it was fastened
Break it imp cried Perrin, or get
through the landing window on to the
roof Of the porch, or he'll escape,
rushed to the landing. The window
was too high to be easily scaled by one
of my short and rather pussy stature, ana
ran down into the hall, seized CHAIR,
called to Goodman-who, however, mace
no response, having doubtless beat re,
treat on hearing the noise aboVe-anu
with difficulty and delay succeeded IN
getting through the window. wrenched
off the shutter of the room in which the
burglary was going on, and throwing up
the sash, sprang to the floor within.
All was pitch darkness and deep 81,
lence. Not a sound, not a breath could
be heard. A cold horror came over me-
The thief had murdered his captor, LETT
him dead on the floor and escaped.
groped my way to the door. 1t was
still locked-no doubt by the murderer
in his fight. l threw up the front win
dow and yelled Justify for help,
Whats the matterT shouted a voice
from the street.
Murder Burglary HelpP
A crowd, including two policemen
rushed in. They told me they found the
front door open, though | had the key
which Perrin had given me, still about
me, and breaking the chamber door,
passed in with eager faces.
Where's Sthe burglar" inquired one
of the officers, looking around as the gas
was lighted.
where's the murdered man?' demand
ed the other, whilst a precociously
thoughtful boy pushed his way through
the crowd ushering in physician, whom
he had hastily summoned from his office
few doors below.
There was no mangled body on the
| floor, no blood stains anywhere. A pro-
ken chair, an overturned table, shat
tered Bohemian glass toilet set-thesee
alone testified to the struggle that had
taken place.
In as few words as'possible I explained
| the case.
'The thief has escaped and the police
man is after him." concluded, had
you not better join in the pursuit at
once2 , 3,
I'VE will first look around little, said
one of the police officers, coolly.
Thesearch revealed some bureau draw
ers pried open, and several jewel cases
and two watch stands lying emptied OF
their contents. Down stairs the plate
had vanished from the dining room clos
cts, and the doors of my writing desk
stood open, revealing the secret money
drawer minus its roll of bonk notes
which / had an hour before placed there
with care.
How on earth could this have been
done? l exclaimed in bewilderment.
The secretary was locked when we went
up stairs after the burglar. He could not
have had time to do this work after his
escape, and with Perrin in pursuit and
Goodman at the foot of the stairs.
Il rather think, sir, that your disinter-
ested friends, Perrin and Goodman, know
more about this matter than you do, re-
marked the policeman grimly. I'll go
and look 'em up now, and no doubt
they'll be promoted for this nights work
to State prison. g..
Slowly the light began to dawn on my
dazed and bewildered mind. looked
around. saw grin broadening on the
faces of all present, and l heard mur-
mur in which l could distinguish only
the most appalling monosylable, SoidP
One month thereafter l had the pleas
ure of identifying my friends Goodman
aud the sol di8ant Policeman Perrin OF
the Third district as they were led from
the prisoners box, adorned with iron
bracelets, each to serve a second term in
the State prison. Goodman nodded pat
ronizingly at me, while his companion
looked me full in the face, smiled very
suavely and-winked.
I may add that the plate and jewels
with most of the money, was recovered
but have since been very particular in
always closing the window.shutters and
curtains at night.