Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-03-22
I'D take the key, num-" said Sarah.

"Id take the key, num-" said Sarah.
Mamie took the key with her, and
the two descended to shut up the house.
After they had made everything secure,
they went back upstairs.
You must sleep in my room to-
night, Sarah" the mistress said. Sarah
dragged in her bedding and made pal.
let ON the floor, and then, after the Gus.
tom OF women, they examined the clos
cts, looked under the bed, and piled the
chairs against the locked door. The
rain was still falling heavily and the
night as black as ink. The mistress and
maid went to bed, and although worried
and anxious went TO Sleep.
After midnight Mamie found herself
awake, and bright light shining in the
room. She started up, and saw that it
was the moonlight. The storm had
cleared away at last. She got up,
unable to compose herself Immediately,
and went to the window. The moon
was shining brightly. As she stood, look
ing Mt the peaceful scene before her she
saw away down the road, for it was
bright as day, several horsemen. twas
such an unusual sight at this hour that
she stood watching them as they came
nearer. To her surprise they turned up
the lane leading toward her house, and
on reaching the gate came into the
yard. She was almost paralyzed with
fear. The truth flashed across her.
They must have learned that she was
alone-that she had this money, and
they had come to get it. For moment
she was paralyzed. She remembered
Harry's last words "You must guard
it with your life if necessary"
She ran to the sleeping Sarah and
wakened her. She got down Harry's
rifle. The sleeping girl was soon thor
oughly awake, and she explained to her
their situation.
"1he tramp? No. Sarah, the key,
the key of the attic"
She flew up the stairs, unlocked the
paddock and opened the trap. The man
sprang up at the sound.
"Come, come with me-" His own
senses alert, and hearing the noise of
the horses below and steps about the
house, he followed her without word.
At the foot Of the stairs she stopped.
Il have large sum Of money in the
mouse, and those men have come TO get
II, thinking lnat L am uIvne. ,n,y
Kill me that money must be guarded"
What have you? pistols, shotguns?"
he whispered, taking in the whole sit
nation.
Here is my husbands rifle. 1t is
oaded."
"Hist Where are they going to
break IMP The steps came boldly on
he piazza to the front door.
"Get behind me. / will fire ut the |
irst man who enters. How many lar.
'els are there?"
"Six, oil loaded"
Every we'll. Keep this cane in your
land for me. in case need it,
There was no stosming of shutters.
They heard the key applied 20 the door
softly. 1t opened, and a man followed |
Dy two others confidently entered. The |
irst figure walked directly to the stairs.
He had taken but n step when three |
shots came in rapid succession. There
was heavy thud ; this man dropped and |
the other two turned and fled. Sarah |
rau to the window and two horses
galloped down the lane.
Don't faint, madam there is work |
yet to do" said the tramp.
Mamie caught hold of the rail for sup
port, and then went into the room.
"Get a candle, Sarah"
They lighted candle and gave it to |
the tramp, who went down stairs, the |
two women following with brandy and |
The man had fallen back
ward, and lay with his face up and head
toward the door.
"Aha!' said the tramp, curiously,
holding the light up and peering into
the dead mans face, "he's fixed. Shot |
through the head"
Mamie advanced and gazed at the
white face, across which thin thread
like stream of blood was trickling. She
Tell back with wild shrek.
1t was her husbands dead body which
lay before her. r.--Mc,0 York World.
FIVE LITTLE BOYS BURIED ALIVE.
A dispatch from st. Joseph, No., says |: