The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-04-14

1t, ana actually opened my bedroom
door for that purpose, when I heard
crash below, which told me, Is plain as
words could utter it. that the hall door
had been successfully forced, and that
the robbers were then actually in the
house.
I retreated to the shelter Of my little
room, locked and bolted the door, prey
to my worst apprehensions. I remem-
bered the cruelty Of these masked men,
and knew that if they did not murder
me outright, they would by binding and
gagging so torture me as to make even
death itself desirable.
OF one thing I was satisfied. thu =
safety Of the robbers depended upon
my being secured. and to achieve that
result would be their first object. If I
had weapon, SO that I could have made
an effort to preserve my life, I would
then have been contented, but the idea
of au unarmed boy being thus left to
the mercy of these unfeeling rufians al
most drove me to distraction.
I heard their footsteps ascending the
stairs and proceeded to barricade the
door, when thought flashed across my
brain. How was it that it escaped me
SO long? The carrier-pigeon that had
just received from Uncle Toby I would
release with q message; it would return
to Uncle Toby's, and I would be saved,
and the robbers foiled in their search
for plumber.
Wrote message hurriedly, secured
it to the bird, which I placed upon the
window-sill, when, after moments
hesitation, it assembled skywards, and
when it passed from my sight was fly.
ing like the wind in the direction of
Uncle Toby's. The message read as
follows:
UNCLE TOBY: The house has been entered
by six masked burglars Come immediately.
...... .a BOB.
Scarcely had the bird started on it's
homeward fight when the robbers
reached my door and tried to force
it.; but I had pushed by bedstead
against the door, and, with my per
sonal efforts to prevent them from en-
tering, I had improvised barricade
that promised to resist all attacks made
against it.
The prolonged defense was making
incensed and exasperated the fellows
to such degree that they poured
forth threats of vengeance upon me-
Their patience became exhausted at
last, and pistol-shot which grazed
my cheek warned me of the danger of
my long remaining in that position. It
had been fred through the panel of the
door.
I rushed to the window and gazed
out upon the lawn below. The distance
was great, and it seemed to me that,
while torture awaited me if captured by
the robbers, there was certain death in
leap from the window.
What should do? The distance to
Uncle Toby's house was five miles,
which the pigeon must have covered by
this time. But suppose the bird should
not be discovered? Suppose Uncle
Toby had gone to his room for the
night, and my message should not be
seen and read before morning? The
very thought was so agonizing to me
that refused to entertain it.
All this time the fellows were work
ing at the door. The bolt was forced,
and slowly but surely the barricade was
yielding to the power outside. saw a
masked face peep through the opening
thus made, and the gimmer of the dark
lantern from outside. I could remain
no longer. Death itself seemed prefer
able to the uncertainty of my fate at
the hands of these desperate fellows.
I rushed to the window, and, without
hesitation, I jumped. It seemed to me
to be lifetime before T struck the
ground, and when I did, rolled over
upon the grass temporarily paralyzed
from the shock I had received. When
I attempted to rise, the grip of an iron
hand pressed my throat, and felt the
cold steel of pistol as it was pressed
against my temple.
To resist meant death. The house
was surrounded. Iheld my peace while
the robber proceeded to bind me; for
whenever I displayed any restlessness
that cold steel was pressed against my
head. The only struggle I made was
when he attempted to insert q gag in
my mouth; but I had to submit, for
received blow from the butt of the
| fellows pistol that multiplied the stars
! that I saw in the heavens q hundred
fold. .........
Completely discouraged, I gave my
self up in despair. resisted no long
er, closing my eyes to shut out, as il
were, the gloomy prospect before me.
Somewhat surprised at the prolonged
delay of the robber in perfecting my
pinioning, I opened my eyes.
Uncle Toby stood over me. Stretched
upon the grass by my side was the fel.
low who had secured me, gaping
wound in the head afording an explain
alton of the sudden ending of his at
tempt upon my liberty.
A dozen determined and wen-armed
men were with him. The masked rob-
bers at first showed q disposition to re-