The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-02-27
wife likewise brntally murdered, her
body lying benepth atabie.

curate was about to harry out and
alarm tho neighborhood, when his
attention was attracted by q strange
gurgling sound proceeding from the
chimney place. b)oaiiig il tho di-
rection indicated, his blood curdled
for an instant, his presence Of mind
entirely forsook him. for there he
beheh hanging in sight pair d
feet which gave several convulsive
movements, the eurgliug sound still
continuing. Recovering his self
possession. however, Father Gervaise
rushed forward and found the female
domestic OF tho family suspended by
the neck, in the last ayonies OF death
To seize knife that lackily lay near
and cat the cord that held her, was
tho work of an instant, bat some time
elapsed afterwsrd before he was en- 4.
ablea 10 restore her TO sutiicient con
sciousuess to give an account of the
circumstance attending this horrid
deed.
The poor girl, on recognizing the
good curate, aud being earnestly en-
treated, with many sobs told how
the black masks, some dozeu in mum.
Der, hal broken into tho house an,.
murdered tho master aud mistress
ia cold blood she herself had found
temporary safety by hiding behind
the freboard, aud fncying their
work of death accomplished the ruiz
fans proceeded to ransack the house
in search If gold, which it was well
known the aged couple kept secreted
in the bnildinS.
Having succeeded in their search,
they returned to the room in which
she vas hidden, in order TO divide
their booty, aad having seated them.
selves aronnd the table, they all re-
moved theic masks, except tho lead :
er aud the poor girl began to re-
late how through crcvice in the
fire-board.she recognized the counte-
nnnces of every one of the robbers
that woro unmaskel, AMI, 20 the
horror and amnzement Of her listen
er, disclosed the names of young
men Of the highest familioG. before
unsuspected.
so eager did Tho girl become in
prosecuting her scrutiny, however,
that leaning too heavily against The
screen. it fell forward. The robbers
sprans to their feet aud instantly re-
placed their tnssks then the leader
rushed up N her and seized her, al,
ready hnif-dead with fright, by the
neck. They c,nsaltsd together ~
to the manner Of her death, an con
cluiel. with stvu., ltrsh. Is bapl,
her Ivy tie nocli in tho place she had
chnsen to socrete herself in.
/ Moved by disptir ut hearing thi,
irea !fnl doom pronouncel,sho m,ic
one vain effort to free herself anl in
-, doing managed to displaco The
mask from tho face of th- chief, and
as in u trembling voice she repeated
the name of that man, the gooC
cnrate tnrued white as death and fel
PROSTATE upon his knees, with hi
halds raised to haven. Tho name
shs uttered was that of Julim dt
Mon.ressor, his own much-be- -iovet
nephew.
When she bad concluded her mar
rative, the good curate placed her il
chtrge of the nearest neiyhbor, anC
then, with boayy heart bnt firn
purpose, set out once moro for hi
home Before hs reached his owi
residence he applied to the mayor
declared to him what be had sect
aud heard, and requested him to as
Isist him in the plan be had formed
to secure the robbers, who, from
certain circumstances, he firmly he
lieved to be secreted in his owl
house.
The mayor employed every meas
ure suggested by the curate, and nc
compained by u sufficient guard, fol
l,:wed him ut short distance to hi
dwelling.
The curate, on entering his librar,
found his nephew applh'ently watch
ing for his return, and il was will
the utmost difficulty that the goo,
man could restrain his omotion
Making powerful effort, however
to control his feelings. he told Ju
liam that he had had vory painful
visit. and requested him to go to th
cellar and bring him some wine. TIN
young man changed color at thii
unusual request, and hesitated mo
ment, at which the uncle offered /
go himself and fetch it. and in eifec
rose to execute his design, when til
nephew, with great eagerness
sprang to his feet and expresse
himself quite ready to do as lie de
sired.
Taking a light, he passed ont @
, the room aud down the stairs lead
ling to the cellar. No sooner had h
Idone 30 than tho curate locked an
, lbolted the door, aud then gave q sis
nal for the mayor aud his guard I
enter. III E
II hey did SO at ouce, having oh
tained lights. dniastened the celia
door, aud were about to enter, whe
they were set upon BY about dozs
men. armed with short-sword
. dressed ali ia black, and having thsl
faces covered with black masks.
The struggle though desperat'
lasted only . fsw Inousents, the cit