The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-04-01
Bread Upon tbe Waters.

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Bread Upon the Waters.
1t was midnight, and the household Of
George Grey, wealthy merchant doing
business in Boston, but resident some miles
distant, were hushed in repose. There
seemed to be nothing stirring in or about
the house, yet intruders had entered the
grounds.
These intruders were three in number,
two men and boy They carried dark
lantern, and from their evident fear of dis
covery, were upon some business which
would not bear scrutiny. In a word, they
were burglars, and their present object was
to rob the house of such articles of value
particularly plate-as might readily be con-
verted into cash.
The two men were dark complexioned,
and with reckless expression which be-
spoke no compunctious visitings. The boy
was, perhaps, thirteen years of age.
Of his appearance we shall speak shortly.
"Bob," said one of the men, addressing
the boy, 'you are lighter than either of
us, and won't make SO much noise. You
must get in through that window after we
have lifted it, and hunt round for the plate
I have information that it is kept in
closet leading out of the dining-room. I
expect from appearances this is the room,
and that must be the closet"
The boy drew back reluctantly, and
said:--
"Why do you make me go2 You know
I don't wish to be thief"
"You can't help yourself" said the man,
exultingly.
"Why do you have such a spite against
me?"
because you are continually preaching
to us al out our improper condact. WeH
make you as bad as we are ourselves"
81 won't CO."
oath. "You won't, you rascal, and we los
ing our time here when we ought to be
doing something! Say that again. and"
Instead of finishing the sentence in
words, he presented pistol at the boys
head.
Bob was frightened-what boy would not
be at the menace implied?
II will CO." said he.
'I thought should bring you to your
Senses" said the other.
This conversation was of course carried
on in low tone, and the preparations for
possible.
Nevertheless, there were two circum-
stances which were likely to interfere with
the designs of the burglars. In the first
place, Mr.. Greys sleeping-room was di-
rectly over the apartment which they were
about to invade. Furthermore, he had
been kept awake that evening by severe
toothache, which did not permit him to
rest. His wife, who was seeking by vari-
Gus remedies to relieve her husbands pain,
was likewise awake.
II thought 1 heard noise down stairs, y
said Mrs. Grey, who had detected the noise
made in raising the window.
Mr.. Grey listened attentively.
He, too, fancied he could hear a noise,
and rising, slipped on his pantaloons.
Hastily snatching pistol, which he always
kept loaded in case of emergencies, he
descended with cautious steps to the din
ing-room.
1t did not take long to satisfy Mr.. Grey
what was going on, for Bob was at that
moment carrying piece of plate to the
window to his confederates.
''Drop that" he exclaimed in an au
thoritive voice.
At 1.-The sound the two men made off pre-.
cipitately, and Bob would no doubt have
followed their example, but that in his haste
he stumbled over an ottoman and fel
headlong on the carpet. In falling his hea6
struck against the corner of a chair, in
hcting so violent a blow that he became
senseless.
Mr.. Grey hastily lighted the gas.
By this time his wife, who had becam,
alarmed at her husbands long Absence de
scended, and inquired snxiously:--
"What is the matter?"
"Our house has been assailed by bur
glars, but fortunately they took fright a
my entrance, and have all made off excep
This boy"
Surely you have not shot him." ex