The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-07-16
In the Hands of Brigands.

brigands, near Salonica, Turkey:
On Thursday evening, the 7th of
April, at about 10. 80, Mr.. and Mrs. Suter
having retired to their sleeping apart
ment, Mr.. Suter being already asleep,
but some Of tho servants still up in their
room, Mrs. Suter's attention was attract
ed by hearing the dogs round tho house
bark furiorlsly. Suddenly dreadful
scream from one of the servants con-
vinccd her that brigands were in tho
house, and prompted her to call to her
husband, "Harry Brigands p Mr..
suter then sprang out of bed, seized his
rifle and rushed to the door, which no
opened, but, seeing the gallery full of
armed men, Instantly tried to close it
again: The brigands pus he'd it from tho
outside, trying to keep 1T open, but tho
united efforts of Mr.. and Mrs. Sutor,
were successful i'll shutting and locking
it. Thus they stood for a moment in
their nightdresses, face to face with tho
terrible reality that they were in tho
hands of brigands, and terrified ut tho
result Of what was likely to ensuo.
Their hesitation was short; mute
glance Mt each other decided their course
of action, and convinced them that they
had no ono but themselves to look to for
hope or protection. A knock was heard
ut the door, and Mr.. Suter asked quietly
and firmly who was there, and what was
wanted, while Mrs. Suter made a.rush
to the window, threw it open and called
out rs loudly rs she could to the. soldiers
in the house opposite. The knocks then
redoubled, and blows were struck at tho
door with al axe. Mr.. Sutcr then went
to the window and called to tho troops,
when the brigands fired q volley from
the balcony of the house.. This was
evidently done to show that they were
masters of the situation, and that an
attack by the soldiers would be perfectly
useless. The soldiers responded with
another volley directed ut the, house, and
the firing became general, tho bullets
penetrating tho walls and passing into
the rooms it was perfect miracle that
no one was killed. Mrs. Suter and her
child lay fiat on tho ground under q
thick quilted covering, while Mr.. Suter,
rifle in hand, stood i'll readiness to receive
tho first conner. Seeing, however, that
tho door was giving way, Mr.: Suter pur-
sued the wisest and only course loft to
him-threw open the door and welcomed
them with 'KaVos Oricstr (wclcome), and
extending his hand bade them enter In
the moan time the firing had redoubled,
the messengers of death from the rifles
of tho Turkish soldiers entering the
dwelling on nil sides. The danger was
imminent both to captors and captives,
the latter standing in their nightdresscs
expecting instant death, till tho brigantls
told Mr.. Snter the firing must be stopped
for the sake of all concerned.
Mr.. Suter hastily dressed and went
out on the balcony. to use his influence
to effect this Indispensable measure.
Fortunately his voice was heard and tho
firing ceased instantaneously on both
sides, whereupon he returned to tho
room, and once moro fncing his captors,
eight or ten i'll number, he quietly asked
them what they wanted of him. They
replied "Your money or your life. "
He replied: "Do what you like with
me, but spare my wife and child. I
implore you, frighten her not, for she is
ENcIENrE, and tho result will be fatal to
her" This he repeated several times,
and asked why they wished to harlA him
when he had not wronged them. One
of tho number, rougher than the rest,
approached Mrs. Sutor, who WAS ut the
further end of tho room, md drawing
his sword, placed its point to her breast
and said, "Give me your money or will
cut your throat" Mrs. Suter neitho,
screamed nor tainted but looking stead
lily. at him said, "I have only four liras
in the house. They are in that box
take them if you wish"
He replied, "It is a lie. I will kill
you" She responded, "You and
believe in the same Christ, and in His
name T tell you that I have no more
money, and Qaying bare her throat) cut
my throat if you will I can do no moro. u
He then said, cit is n lie. What Eng
lishman lives without money in his
house? We have been told that your
household expenses amount to EGO a
day !; how can you have only four liraa
in the house ?" He again held his sword
toward Mrs. Suter, who then appealed
to her husband, and he addressed him
self to the brigands, and pointing to his
wife, said, "Did not entrcat you not to
frighten her? She is lady, and I ask
you to treat her rs SUCH On this the
brigand left Mrs. Suter, who took out
the four liras and gave them to him.
They then began appropriating every
article that they imagined could DO of
the slightest use to them. Mr.. Suter
then asked the brigands again what they
wanted. They answered that that was
not tho timo or place to discuss that
subject, and ordered Mr.. and Mrs. Suite,
to dress themselves and their child and
accompany them to the mountain. Poor
Mrs. Suter followed these instructions to
the best Of her ability. Her littlo girl,
q pretty child Of four years of ago, who
had been lying half hidden by Turkish,
quilt; with big, wide open blue eyes,
quietly surveying the scene, now came
out of her refuge and asked to bo dressed
to 60. Hastily throwing on some clothes,
she added to them some articles of wear
ing apparel belonging to her husband
with tho idea that they might bc useful
to him. Dressing was difficult matter,
as the brigands had ransacked all tho
drawers, boxes, &C.,, in tho room, and
heapod their contents promisouously on
the floor. To IN ,mcourtcous command
made to Mrs. Suter to open n box that
was under tho bed, she Indignantly
roplied HI omen tho box for yo,, / o,,nn