Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-07-27
you'd better hire me, suggested Pat,
"While he's sick"

Chloe, showing her teeth.
A little after 8 o'clock, Pat, being ia
tigued with his long tramp, went to bee
and was soon fast asleep. Mrs. Stanton
and her daughter sat in a room on the
second floor, one working and the other
reading aloud, when the daughter, ap-
preaching the window, deserted to hel
alarm company of men, ten in num-
Der, approaching the house.
At this time it was not uncommon fol-
small rowing bands, passing themselves
off as Confederate soldiers, but really on.
ly robbers, intent upon plunder, to scour
1 the country, forcing their entrance into
lonely houses, and carrying whatever OF
value they found.
| Now it happened that Mrs. Stanton,
who had recently received large pay
ment. had no less than two thousand
dollars in Northern greenbacks in her
house, and these she feared would be
discovered in ransacking the hos Sc, and
carried off. This money was upp. rmost
in her mind and that of her daughter.
"What shall we do with the money,
Jennie9" she asked in toae of distress.
l"Where can we hide it?"7 20
II know Of no safe place. The house
will be thoroughly searched"
"But can't afford to lose it" said
Mrs. Stanton, In dismay.
"Give 1t to me, mother. have thought
OF way Of saving 1t. There may Be
some risk about it. but It may do" 49, :
| From a bureau drawer the mother
took roll of large bills, and with trem-
bling hands delivered it to her daughter.
What are you going to do, Jennie?"
81 will tell you aftsrward. Now there
| is no time"
The young lady summoned Chloe,
briefly explained her purpose and aro-
ceeded to the room occupied by Pat
Roach.
Patawoke. on being shaken, and stared
in surprise at his visitors.
Whats wanted ?" he asked.
"Are you an honest boy? Can trust
youp" asked the young lady abruptly.
Il never stole a cent in my life,' said
Pat, proudly.
Il will trust you, then," said Jennie,
briefly. "There are some robbers ap-
preaching the house, who will carry off
all they can find. Now we have $4,000
in the house."
1.-TWO thousand dollarfr calculated
: at In amazem6nt.
"Yes. The only place they won't think
of searching is in your pocket. Dress as
quickly as possible, and put this money
in your pocket"
"Yes, Miss; what will I do then?"
@These men viii probably stay all
night. Early in the morning before
sunrise-yeu must leave the house, and
stay away till 10 or II o'clock. Chloe
will give you some food to take with
you. Do You understand? ?"
"Yes, Miss
"By probably, those men will be
gone, and you can bring the money
back"
"Yes, Miss. I'll bring it back faith
fully. Loud knocks were heard at the
door, and the two hurried away. Open
ing the front door they confronted the
troop of marauders.
"What do you want at this late hour?"
asked Jennie.
Supper and shelter for the night" an
swered the leader.
"Who are pou, sir ?"
Captain Jones, of the Confederate
army"
"Why are you away from the main
army, sir9
"That's my business" answered the
so-called Captain Jones, impudently.
eff you insist upon entering, yeu
must, but we object to turning our
house into camp"
Cant help it, Miss. It's one of the
necessities OF war. File Ia. men,"
Chloe was obliged to produce from the
pantry all the cooked food in the house,
and the men did justice to 1t. Jennie
Stantan remained up, feeling in no hu-
NOR to go to bed. When the repast was
over, Captain Jones said:
@aMiss Stanton, learn that you have
large sum of money in the house. We
must have it"
"What, would you plunder usf" asked
the young lady, Indignantly.
I've don't take it for ourselves. It |
Is for the cause" said the leader, hyo-
critically. "You may as we'll bring it at |
once and save the trouble Of q search. |
Yon can't deny that the money was |
paid you last Monday"
81 don't deny it." said the young lady, |
intrepidly, "but it has already passed |
out of our possession"
Il
looking very much disappointed.
"Then you may search the house.
said Jennie, outwardly bold, but in
wardly trembling, lest the money should
be discovered.
81 will" said Captain Jones. aOf
course. where such a large amount is
we cannot trust the word OF
any one"
"Very well, sir, proceed. Chloe, 60
with these gentlemen"
She slipped away to inform her moth
er of what she had done, and put her on
her guard.
In the course of the search they came
to Pats room.
"Who sleeps herep" asked the leader.
"a poor Irish boy, who asked for lodg-
ng."
"Let me see him." |,
The door was thrown open, and Pat
stared at the new visitor. 1;
"What's your name, boy ?" asked Jones.
sPat Roach" II
ado you live herep" |;
"No, sir; the ladies let me sleep here
20 night. They gave me good supper
,eside." Il
Where are you travelling? /.
"Tm seeking my fortune" II
Are these your clothes?"
"Yes, sir"
To Chloe's great alarm, Captain Jones
.ook up Pats poor garments, and thrust I
his hands into the pockets. But she .
heed not have been alarmed. Pat had
aiken out the bills and put them under !
he sheet upon which he was lying. On l
y cent was found in the pockets. II
"You are not very rich" said Jones. l.
Pat laughed.
"If was what would be seeking my l
fortune for?" he answered.
There's nothing here" said Jones,un- {