The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-16

they could have returned SO soon. Whose,
then, could these steps and voices beG
The kitchen had high window seven
feet above the floor, and it was closed
with shutters. But in the shutters
lozenge apertures were cut. Ma!chen
climbed on to the dresser under the win
dow and looked cut; what she saw would
h i've made most timid girls jump down
squealing and run away half dead with
| terror. D5
Nine rnen-not one less-with black
masks on their faces and housebreaking
implements in hand, had entered the
farmyard, and were evidently holding
council as to how they should commence
their attack on the house. They stood
in group, and some Of, them pointed to
the apertures in the kitchen shutters,
where light was visible, as if they were
taking note Of the fact that the farm
was not quite abandoned. /.
\ Malchen remembered having heard
that brigands had been infesting some Of
the districts in an adjoining province,
and she saw that if she hesitated to act
she would be lost. There hung over the
mantelshelf two double-barreled fowling
pieces and a horse-pistol, which were
always kept loaded for the protection
of the farm against wolves in winter,
and for the intimidation of poachers and
tramps at other seasons of the year. Nal
chen had the same horror Of firearms as
most other girls; but at this moment her
blood reyolted at the idea Of leaving the
farm to be plundered without striking a
blow for it. Herr Won Polheim owned a
good deal of silver plate, and was ac-
customed to keep pretty large sums OF
money within the oaken chest in his bed
ROOM Among other reflections which
rushed through Malchen's mind was
this, that if her father were robbed of all
his cash he would get into vile humor,
which would make its effects felt at the
farm for weeks, and render the place un-
inhabitable. Now Malchen stood in
great terror of her father when he was
angry. ,
She ran to the chimney and unlocked
the arms, then swiftly climbed on the
table again. The little lattices outside
the apertures in the shutters were open,
so Malchen could thrust out the barrels
of her weapons and fire at the malefact-
tors. Before doing so, however, she put
a coin into her mouth to alter the ring OF
her voice, and making a horn Of both
hands, shouted in tone which sounded
like mans "Who goes thereT
No answer. The burglars stared at
one another in astOnishment, and were
fairly dismayed when they heard the
next exclamation, which conveyed the
idea that the person who had first spoken
was not-alone, but had several men under
his orders. "Now then, my men, when
1 give the word, fire sharp, and aim
straight. Fire"
Two reports instantly followed this
command, and then came two others.
When the smoke had cleared away Nal
chen, who looked out with haggard eyes,
her heart humping awfully the while,
saw four men stretched on the snow, and
nothing else. The other five members Of
the band had taken to flight.
"The guns were loaded with slugs;
perhaps l have killed them ALL" ejacu-
lated Malchen in terror; for her COM
bative ardor abated Of sudden, now
that so easy victory had been won'
"Oh, dear, what shall l do?' .......
She had taken up the horse-pistol and
glanced out to see if there was another
shot to be fired. There was choking
sensation at her throat, and she began tc
whimper. 1t was all too dreadful, she
could not bear the sight Of those dead
men, all killed by her hand. But one Of
them suddenly moved and tried to rise
!, to his knees. Immediately the senti
mental Malchen aimed her pistol tt
give him his quietus; but, luckily TO
himself, the man roared out: -. ~.
l "Oh, Malchen, Malchen! help! I'll
Karl ............ .... ...e. .-....
"Karl!" exclaimed the girl, as her voic'
seemed to expire in her throat, while he
t heart turned to ice. "Karl, is it thou :?
"Yes, and am wounded. am dy
ing,' sobbed the luckless fellow. cane
r it's all for thee" ..
y Malchen tottered, and might hav
fallen off the table had there been an.
one present to catch her in his arms. A
0 it was she scrambled down somehow an
e made for the door, still holding her pis
tol. One moments hesitation. as sh
q touched the door-handle; but she sul
d mounted it and went out. In anothe
!, moment she could judge with her ow
g eyes of the murderous effects Of her vo
J, lev. Three men lay on the snow ston
n dead; as for Karl, slug had clean slice
d off part Of his right ear and cheek, &
) that he bled like pig, but he was othe
y wise unhurt."
n "Oh, Karl, Karl, how camest tho
r hither in such company% exclaine
IS Malchen, as she tore off her apron
e staunch his wound. ......-...
d "Mein Gott, it was for theep snivele
e the unhappy Karl. "These men are m
e friends; we had all come for a. lark, an
:. meant to carry thee off; for I hoped tn
L too-obstinate father would consent 4
II necessity to our marriage. "Oh, oh, m
carp
a "Peace, Karl; but oh, how foolish (
e thee!" sighed Malchen. "How could
:. thou think that nine men were require
70 to carry me Off '''i
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