The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-02-10

The elder man had such pleasant
face that Tom was beginning to feel
ashamed of his suspicious, when he sud
denly bobbed down into his seat with a
cold chill at his heart. The man was
examining somethinghe held in his hand
a thing so small and delicate that at first
glance Tom had taken it for pocket
knife, but it was pearl mounted revol
yer The full gravity of the situation
now forced itself upon his excited mind.
This was the chief criminal spoken of by
his father, the younger man, of course,
being his accomplice. They were hand
ling the very revolver which had been
shown during the trial This mans
fierce anger had been excited by his
fathers vigorous attempt to consign him
to merited punishment, and his words
fully indicated that he was now on bis
way to seek revenge. How Poor Tom
fairly writhed in his seat as ali the pos
sbilities of the case came before him. and
he was obliged to own to himself that
but for his petty acts of carelessness
these men would be now safely under
lock aud key.
He left the car full of the one idea of
using any and every means of insuring
his fathers safety, fastening to his Of
flee he learned that he had been absent
from it nearly all of the day 1t was sup
posed that he had been called out of
town again. Reaching home, hoping to
find him there, Tom learned that he had
not been up to dinner, but was still ex-
pcctod, though it was long after the usual
hour Hot, tired and anxious, Tom made
butapoor attempt at ;hc dinner URGED up
on him, and took his way to the front part
of the house to watch for his father. He
established himself on a sofa near Il bay
window in the parlor, with heavy press
ure of care on his hcalt He knew it
would not do to tell his nervous molher;
even poor, needless Tom va, lh9uLhtful
of her comfort. And he did not want
Frank to know anything about it. 1t
might all come out right-yet, AMI then
only his father need know.
"Tell him not to hurry-we can watt
said a voice in the room. Tom rubbed
his eyes and stared about. as the maid
| showed in two strangers. lie was wide
awake in a moment and drew himself in
to a corner of the sofa, where he was
nearly concealed by curtain which divi-
ded the bay window from the room The
maid drew aside the curtains of another
window and threw it open. And there.
in the bright sunlight, Tom saw with
fright and horror, which at first took
from him the power to move or speak,
the chief criminal and the accomplice
seat themselves comfortably in his faith
er's house.
What now? With desperate effort at
selfcontrol he tried to think what it was
best to do 1t rested on him now not
only to insure his fathers safety but to
prevent the escape of these men,
lie presently got up,and going quietly
to door which led into another room,
locked it and put the key into his pocket.
Then he turned to the window near
which the men sat. The older one adj
dressed him pleasantly:
"1ou are son of Mr.. Primrose" he
said Offering his hand.
Tom bowed slightly, but took no no.
tice of the extended hand lie lowered
the window and fastened it, hoping that
the burglars, if they yelled to open it,
might not understand the catch. He
then passed into the hall, noisclesslv
locking the door also.
Frank then nursed his sprained foot ON
the back piazza. In answer to Toms ex
cited inquiries, he told him their father
had returned home a short time since.
had dined and gone to his room. His
mother was i'll the kitchen Canning fruit.
Glad not to see her, Tom sprang up the
stairs and knocked at his fathers door.
begging to be let in.
Il am bathing, Tom," was the answer;
'wait a little"
"Oh, father" pleaded Tom, "do let me
speak to you just one minute"
Toms claims to be heard were usually
urgent, so his father only said: 'IIave
little patience, my boy, in ten minutes
I'll hear all you've got to say"
Ten minutes! What might happen in
ten minutes! If he waited up there the
criminals might find themselves shut in,
guess that they under suspicion, and
make good their escape. If he went to
call help his father might, in his absence
run into the very danger he was seeking
to save him from.
y bright thought came to him. So
long as his father remained in his room |
he must be safe. Tom turned the KEY
in the door, and locked him in. Then |
with all the speed which terror could |
lend to boys nimble feet, he ran to the
police station, a few blocks distant,
reaching it.in condition which only left |
him able to convey general idea that |
something dreadful was going on at Mr. |
Pemrose's. Two policemen were there.
FIRST sending message to headquarters |
for further force, they followed Tom in
all haste, small crowd of byslanders
falling into line ard gathering strength
as they neared the Primrose domicile
AS they came to the gate Tom saw the
accompice trying to open the window.
See. They're getting away" he ecricd |
And the policemen bounded into the
house and seized the two men. At this
moment a heavy pounding was heard
overhead. Tom turned paer than be
fore.
There must be more of them up
stairs, he shrleked; "they are getting
after my father
He tore up the stairs aud found the
room still locked; but the pounding kept
on, lie turned the key with trembling
hand.
"Who locked me in p exclaimed his
father, "Such foolery-" lie stopped in
surprise as half a dozen men tramped
hastily up stairs
"Are you hurt Mr., Primrose" A,e the
rascals in there?'
Hurt ! No. What's the matter? what
is all this fuss about?" lie stared in
amazement at the crowd pressing into
the hall. "ls the house on fire."
"Not bit, sir; but we've got two of
the men i'm there"