The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-04-21

me Black bsIi they call him, tor hf$ hair and eyes-and says he. Jim. lcol here. you've been a useless cub for soms time back, and ycuve go, to 20 into busi ness nov. We're going to break ints that brick house by the old foundry to night. There's lots of money there, we'rs told. And the old woman has beer giving you victuals lately so you car get in. Pretend to be ill.' says he. aftei you've go, your supper. and ask to sleep before the fire in the kitchen. Mind you're not able 10 stand or si,. They'll let you do II. never fear; and al tws O clock get up and open the kitchen doc, tor us. That's all you'll have ,o do i There's clock Tn the kitchen, sup pose.
 Yes says land didn't dare ,o look a, hlm-'yes, says l.
 ".See you don't go to sleep. then We've sent humbug letter to Martha and it's all right with her. You ain'' afraid 10 do it. linn 7
 50 l promised. and I've come here and now, you know. you can send for the police. and you can send me to prison too. if you like. only swear wouldn't steal from you nor see you hurt in nc way for fortune
 :. believe you. my poor child, said Mrs. Bonner.
 She stood up. ,all and straight. before the fire. and looked into II for a few mo- ments with the olf stern look
 James. she said. '' trust you. an, going ,o write note to Mr. Hunt. chic, of police. You must take II 10 him and come back to me Eet ,hc dreadful wre,ches who sent you believe you are ready to obey them. and think all will be we'll"
 Then Mrs. Bonner wrote fcS lines upon sheet of paper. placed it an en- velope, and gave i, to the boy.
 Go ou, by ,he side door and through the garden, she sad. '' Ii any one is watching. you will not be seen going in that way"
 Then the old lady sa, alone again, and her brave heart bea, high with wrath. Not for a moment did she doubt little James, nor did she even tremblc al the thought of her danger and solitude. James came back in half an hour. Mir. Hunt followed him.
 live done myself the pleasure of call ing for the first tune in fifteen years, he sad. Well. well. so you have got your sclt into trouble a last. You'd much better have trusted the banks However feel no fear. assure you of your safety. Let all seem Ia be .s usual. ketlIe to your room Il ten. Meanwhile. ,io not leave this one. am on guard ! Aou are qut;c safe.
 Then the magistrate hustled eag oi the room. leas .ng James and Ms. honnei together.
 strange ereaks and squeaks were hea,,! tll over the haase d ,,tile dash and elat;er then lew voices then ,di WAS stllt The chef returned.
 Retire ,o Noer room, Mrs. Bonner. Il you please. he sad. Do not undress or light your lamp. but lie down m your clothes. lames leave d candle in the kitchen. and he upon the floor. \, two o'clock le, the burglars in. as you prom ised. Good night"
 \ weaker woman than Mrs Bonner would have asked questions. She did not. She went quickly la her room. | oi a long while she lay, with the co,crle, drawn over her. listening for some sound.
 Then there came the opening of q door-a slow efesk on the stars. She saw d flash oi light from lantern on the wall. and the dark shadow of head in its midst The burglars were there. Two masked men bent over ;he bed Bu, where were her prote, tors There was no sound. no movement, Had they failed her:
 Gag her and ne her" sAid one voice :" i;s always the safest.
 ;. It's safesi tn blow her hraIns ou, at once sad the other.
 \ hand touched her shoulder.
 = am deserted '-l shall Dc murdered sad Mrs. Bonner.
 And in A sor; of desperate fury she sprang up in bed. and stood on the floor between her assaslants.
 Al ,his instant the room became fllcd with light. which flashed from several open lanterns and from under the bed, from behind the curtains, wherever they could be hidden, sprang armed police men. hidden there by the chef w,thou, Mrs. Bonners knowledge. She was safe
 There IS little more to tell. The rob- bers met with their proper punishment, and their little victim, James. became the hon of the hour, Mrs. Bonner declaring her intention of adopting h,m, and Martha, who had returned home in ter rible fright ln the morning, heartily seconding ;he resolution.
 To-day no one could recognize in the handsome, happy you'h. he poor lit;le loxenge-boy of i've years ago; and no mother Is proBder of her child ,han IS Mrs. Bonner of her adopted son, who Is 10 Dc her 70 ali her fortune.