Connecticut western news., 1880-12-08

yentured within @ hundred yards oi them. es. ...-.
 "We must go back" she whispered. And with nervous haste, followed by Miss Sophie, she retraced her steps homeward.
 "We must make the best of it Fan n.y. Miss Sophie said, heroically, SC soon as they had gained the shelter oi the house.
 And she locked and bolted the hall door, and went up stairs and down, and assured herself that every fastening was as secure as it could be made.
 "I haven't an idea that they will ven- ture on the place tonight" she said ; ''for they don't know that it is unpro- tected: but they may come in the morn ing, andw must be prepared for them. ,
 It was ten o'clock when they retired six long hours before daylight
 For long time Mrs. Hawes lay awake, starting nervously at every sound, and often sitting up in bed to listen. But she was fatigued by the days work, and sleep finally overcame her, as it had already her aunt.
 The moon had arisen, and was shin- ing in at the windows, when she awoke. The hall clock was just striking twelve.
 "Thalk heaven p she thought <; "only four hours now to daylight"
 But what might not happen in those four hours
 She was restless, and could not sleep. Her aunt, on the contrary, was soundly slumbering, as her snoring testified. Fanny arose presently, and, going soft ly to the window, looked out, just to satisfy herself that all was as it hould be.
 The moon was shedding a dim light in misty sky, and as she looked, she fancied that she perceived something moving in the shadows. Watching in- tently, she distin guished the figure of a man, which glided softly along in the shadow of the wall and entered the stable-door.
 "He's after the horse P gasped Mrs. Hawes ;" or he means to set the hay on fire p ...
 She instantly awakened her aunt, who promptly arose and cautiously took a survey of the situation.
 There's somebody under the elm tree," she whispered. "Good gracious! there's two of them p
 The man under the elm tree came out of the shadow, and advancing few paces, surveyed the house, and looked up at the windows.
 They're going to break inhere. Oh, aunt, what shall we do ?" exclaimed Mrs. Hawes, hysterically.
 "Calm yourself, Fanny, do, and let us think what is best to be done. Where are Joseph's pistols-?"
 Shudderingly Mrs. Hawes pointed to the bureau.
 Therein the lower drawer; but can you use them, Aunt Sophie ?"
 "I know how they are used. You have only to cock the trigger-this way and then pull it. If they attempt tc get in, I'll fire !-yes, I'll fire, if it kills the whole lot of 'em don't doub but that they are those tramps, who have somehow discovered that there are no men in the house but I'll show then that all women are not towards. Come and help me barricade the door, Fanny!'
 Bureau, table, washstand, and every thing else available, was speedily pilet against the door of the roo m and the1 the two ladies took another survey iron the window.
 "Gracious heavens, they're bringing the stable ladder! Oh, aunt, they vii kill us-I know they will p
 A rough, grating sound against tn side of the house was heard, as the mel below adjusted the ladder. Miss Sophie tightly grasping the pistol in her trem bling hand, again ventured to peep out She heard slow, cautious footsteps as cending, and moment after the hea and shoulders of @ man rose above tn caves of the piazza, beneath the window The ladder was evidently not steady and he muttered to himself: "Hello, steady now Howld on there ye niggur !"
 "Merciful heavens it is Andy, an there is 8 horrible negro with him."
 And Mrs. Hawes staggered back trembling and half fainting, against tn bed.
 | Andy gave low grunt of satisfat tion, as he stepped on the roof of tn piazza. The next moment they hear him forcing open the shutters of tn next room and raising the sash.
 "All right p he called in 8 subdue tone to his companions below. "Ji. step roun' an I'll let yez in at th kitchen door,
 ooh, aunt, we are lost Why didn you fire ?'' gasped Mrs. Hawes, despa1 ingly.
 Miss Sophie's teeth, despite her her. ism, were chattering. CT forgot to; but l will nov } There's the little closet window openin on the hall. I-I1l shoot 'em as the
 come up stairs.'
 Trembling as with an ague, Fam followed her aunt, and saw her moul table beneath the closet window. The } there was the sound of the outer kitche door opening, few muttered word and slow, deliberate step, which VI not Andy's, ascending the stair. Ju as it reached the upper floor, there WI stunning report, followed by yell
 agony and the crash of falling tabl Poor Mrs. Hawes gave one feeble mos 8 of horror, and sank down in des |, SWOOn.