Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1879-07-19

BY IsADoRE ROGERS.

THE WOMAN AND THE ROBBEH.
BY IsADoRE ROGERS.
It was q wild, lonely night, and the
rain fell in torrents and was driven
fiercely against the strong walls OF the
farm house that stood upon the prairie
a mile distant from any other habita-
ton. Mrs. Martha Adams was alone
with her two children, boy of four years
and q little girl one year OF age.
She was q timid woman, and she had
urged her husband not TO leave her alone
with the sum of money which he had re-
ceiyed by Q recent mail, but he had
0uieted her fears by assuring her that
no one knew it was in his possession,
and that it would be much safer at home
than with him; he would be gone only
one night, and be back before any one
knew of his absence. He promised to
engage q neighbOr's daughter to stay
with her, but the rain had set in, and
the storm had become so furious before
nightfall, that the girl did not come.
Mrs. Adams had been obliged to leave
the house to attend few matters out
side, and she returned and lit the lamp
in the cheerful sitting room, she then
looked around c0ntentedly, with the
thought that no harm could come
through such storm.
She sat down to her sewing while the
children played about the room, until
about eight O'clockin the evening, when
from some unknown cause she became
nervous and uneasy.
1t was in vain that she assured her
self that her fears were grOundless.
"WhO would be abroad in such a storm p
she asks herself again and again.
But it was of no use; the unpleasant APP
prehension only gained strength in spite
of her, and she listened in terror to
every gust of wind that swept around
the house, and any unusual sound that
fell upon her ear, magnified by her ex-
cited Imagination, seem to mean some
nameless terror. Finally, despalring OF
fixing her mind upon her work, she laid
it aside, and persuaded the elder child to
lie down upon the sofa which stood In
the room, and taking the little one In
her arms she was about to undress it,
when, prOtruding out from under the
table, which was covered with cloth,
she saw mans boots.
For moment she thought she would
fall from her chair in terror; but at the
thoughts of her children, she reused her
self to the comprehension OF her sltua-
ton.
aWhat should she dO?" To call for help
would be as little avail as though she
were in mid ocean. He had come for moth
ing less than robbery, and perhaps would
not stop short of murder If needful to
accomplish his purpose.
Oh <horrobf Of toRinN tho HbiIdPon
and escaping from the house, but per-
hans there were more of them stationed
outside. and she might only increase
her danger. Alas! what could she dot
The sweat stood in great drops upon heI
forehead, as she thought how utterly
helpless she was, and felt how completes
ly She and her children were in the
power of q rObber.
A dozen plans had been suggested ia
her mind only to be discarded, and she
finally mastered her terror enough To
proceed with the work arranging the
Child in its night clothes, and cOmmenc
ed to rock it to sleep, to the music OF
that beautiful, and pathetic song. "Rocl
me to sleep, mother" tw
Her voice was peculiarly sweet and
musical, and the trem0r which the oeca,
sion gave it, only added to its beauty and
Then she sang do they miss me 81
homer with all the inspirations Of m
early hope, and never before had Ael
voice sounded more sWeetly. ethel
songs followed until the child was fast
asleep, and then placing him beside the
other, she sank upon her knees beside
the chair which she had Just vacated
with her eyes fixed upon the table, she
prayed feryently:
.tear, Heavenly Father, while Others
are continually Offering up prayers fol
themselves. their families, and the ruler!
of the nation, j meel tonight to thanl
Thee for having already blessed me, and
nv children, husband and home; and
since Thou hast left nothing for me
to ask for myself, Ipray thee to grant my
petition In tavOr of class who are most
in need Of thy redeeming Power, but fol
whom have never, as yet, heard
prayer offered form the lips of any hu.
man being. I mean the robbers thai
infest our land!
"ThOu knowest, o! Father, that often
and often they have been driven int
these wicked ways through the harsh
ness and injustice of their fellOw-men
and none but the father above will eve
know by what trials and temptation
they have been led, step by step, from tn.
paths of happiness and virtue. And
Father. I beseech thee to turn tn
thoughts of every one Of this class to
NIGHT. back to the time when, in the in
nocense and purity of childhood the,
played with the little brothers and sis
tiers about the old homestead, Joyous q!
the birds to whose songs they listened
and happy as the lambs whose gambol
they beheld. Let their minds wander
back to the pleasant school days, wheI
their parents looked with joy and prid
anon bOyish Attachments, and talked to
gether of the happiness which should b.
fheirs: when with the youthful mind ex
panded BY knowledge and wisdom be
slowed With the years OF maturity, the,
should behold their sons holding hiel
and honorable positions, credit Z
themselves and q source Of JOY and prid'
to the parents who h>dl 50 tenderly rear
ed them. But, Father, thou kn0west o.
the temptations which b6eet them, thor
knoWest that too often the graspine
aYarice and unjust exactions Of employ
oru have driven them tn the verge of doS