The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-04-15

QASKED BURGLARS.

August t08t SAT on the porch OF OlO
Uncle Toby's house not yet entirely re-
covered from the impressions made by
q glorious sunset, which even then left
it, footprints upon the clouds in the
western sky.
Ny horse stood at the gate already
saddled, awaiting me, but I was deter
mined not to leave Uncle Toby's house
until I had carried my point, and, be-
ing bis nephew, I had enough of the
same old blood in my veins to make me
- persevering as he was obstinate.
"Unole Toby, I must have that bird"
"Waal, nefy, ask me for anything
else In the house except that and it is
4 don't want anything else, Uncle
Toby, but that you must give me"
"Waal now, neAy, You know that ere
cazrier-pigeon took the first prize at the
county fair"
(which fact will only make me prize
it dearer. Come, now, Uncle Toby, be
generous"
~Waal, boy, the bird is your'n. You
always had your own way with old IN
To say that I was delighted would
but family express my feelings. The
bird was q beauty, as may be easily
imagined, and as I bid old Uncle Toby
goodnight, and mounted my pony, with
the cage in my hand containing the
prize I 80 dearly coveted, I rode home
With light heart, and brain flied to
overlooking with plans in which the
birds speed would be tested. Numer-
Gus valuable prizes seemed already to
be within my grasp as reached home,
and, having stabbed my horse, assembled
70 my dark and lonely room.
was but Is years of age at the time,
and on the night in question I was the
sole and only occupant of my fathers
mansion, the other members of the
family having gone on a summer trip
TO the mountains, leaving me in charge.
Ny room was on the second floor,
overlooking the road, and thither had
taken my bird, where in my solitude
I could quietly admire its beautiful pro-
portions.
distinguishing my lamp, I sat by
theopen window, contented]y smoking
my pipe and enjoying the cool breezes
that swept across the lawn laden with
the rich odors of the flowers, when my
attention was attracted by some dark
object that appeared to be approaching
BY the road that led past our hou<'. I
listened intently, and above the wins
pefg OF the summer breeze thought I
could detect the hum of whispered con-
versaion.
; :: II was no unusual occurrence for
tamps to pass our place at that hour,
and the circumstance caused only ripple
OF curiosity to arise in my bosom, until
I heard latch of our gate lifted, and
distinctly the tread of many feet fell
upon my ear. ] was so surprised and
startled at this unexpected intrusion
that I was naomentarily dazed, and be-
fore could decide on a plan of action
they had assembled the doorsteps, and I
l knew from the splinterings OF wood
that they had already commenced op-
egations to force an entrance into the
house.,
BY the light of dark-lantern which
they carried, I discovered that there
were nix in number, and all wore heavy
black masks, the more effectually to
prevent recognition in case of discov-
cry: Then my voice came back to me,
and, thinking to make up for my youth
full years in the volume of my voice, I
yelled out in laundering tones:
Hellol What are you doing there?"
The dark-lantern was closed like q
dash, but yet I could distinctly define
tho dim outline of the robbers as thew
stood like dark shadows in contrast
with the white balcony beyond. For a
moment the stiffness of death ensued,
vhsn 1 received a reply, uttered in
E tones I shall never forget, and with an
emphasis that clearly indicated pur-
pose 70 carry out what was threatened:
Il say, youngster, just you take in
that head Of your'n, and keep that baby
mouth closes, Or I'll blow the top Of
I The sharp click Of 4 pistol followed,
sand you can rest assured that l needed
no second warning. What should do :?
I Wa at least half mile from the near
ct neighbor, but the house was sur
rounded, and escape was impossible
There was certain death in the very at-
tempt itself. 49,:
The shot-gun. Ali that was q good
idea I would get the gun and defend
NJ mansion to the bitter end, The
aA6e7gun I had Left In the parlor, so as
to have it within reach during the long
hours Of the day when tramps were as
thick - huckleberries, and I had forgot
ten to bring it up stairs that night. My
mind had been so much absorbed by
my o11er-pigeon that / had incautious-
y overlooked the making of my usual
preparations for self-defense.
thought I would go down and get
H. ana actually opened my bedroom
door for that purpose, wien I heard a
cEaah below, which told me, as plain as
words could utter II. that the hall door
y bad been successfully forced, and that
The robbers were then actually in the
house.
retreated to the shelter of my little
room, locked and bolted the door, q prev
20 my worst apprehenzions. 1 remem-
b9ed the cruelty Of these masked men,
and I knew that il they did not murder
~ outright, they would by binding and
GnGQn8 % torture me as to make even
death itsen desirable.
OF ono thing + was satisfied, thai
:4sassty OF tho robbers depended upon
: my being secured. and to achieve that
result would be their first object. If