Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-10-05

1
| darted. blessing my India rubber shoes
till gained the door of the telegraph
Office. All was dark there and dared not
strike match.
listened. and then leaving the door
open, Rrcped my way to the well-known
desk and gave the signal for c., could
hear my heart throb as I waited for the
answer. It came Still working in the
dark, I sent this message:
Burglars in the Baysville bank vault
Waterman gagged and bound! Can you
send help ?''
Again the agony OF suspense in listen
ing, but at last the sound reached me;
will send help immediately"
crept to the head of the staircase afraid
the clear ring of the instrument had been
heard 10 the vault, but no one came up
stairs. The windows of the telegraph
Office faced the street, so returned. bolted
myself in safely and sat down to watch.
The town clock gave one resonant
stroke, breaking the deep silence. and nc
sions OF life were visible in the long stretch
of road leading to c., I was numb with
cold, wishing heartily that had not left
Tom s basket under the staircase. thinking
regretfully of my own coy bed, when I
heard afar off the sound of horses feet.
No sister Anne. in Bluebeard's tower,
was more watchful than I was them
Would the burglars take the alarm?
The building made corner of two
streets and I saw eight mounted men dash
up the road, separate, and while four dis
mounted in front, four went to the
rear.
The burglars were unprepared for this
flank movement, for while the police in
front were laundering at the main en-
basement door right into the arms of the
police stationed there.
I could hear the bubbub, pistol shots
fred, the scuff1e of feet, cries, oaths and
general confusion; and I slipped down
stairs and out OF the now deserted main
entrance aud ran home.
Everybody was in bed, and went to
my room. had crying spell, and comfort
ed my half-frozen body in double blank
etc, where soon fell asleep.
All this was on Friday night, and I had
no teaching to do until Monday; so 1
slept late, but coming down 1 found all
the family prepared to make heroine of
me.
II never knew, until mother told me
this morning." said Tom, ''that it wasn't
grandpa who sent the telegram to G..
BY Jove, Olive, you're spunky, if you are
little"
Tom then described in detail his expert
ences, and added:
II gave up when four of them bounced
on me from one of the upper rooms. They
must have got in during the day and hid
there''
I tried to make the Knights promise
not to tell my adventure, but could not.
Before night all Baysville knew how Olive
Hudson caught the burglars. was in the
came this message:
''Wbat does Olive Hudson look like.
Everybody in Dryden IS talking about her
great exploit
flashed back
"What d. yon suppose such woman
would l,r'k ike !? She is nearly six feet
tall. broad shou!dered and loud-voiced-a
perfect Elephant 7"
"Was it really yourself, Elephant p
Dear Lion. 1t was J."
''Do you know, want to see you. m
going to New York to-day, but I'll be
back next spring."
If he came to Baysvil!e he did not see
me. ran away in fit of shyness.
In March a wonderful thing happened.
My mothers brother, who had been in
Australia seventeen years-nearly all
my lifetime-came out to New York.
found me out, and took me iuto
life of ease and luxury, making me
a pet IN his splendid house. He was a
bachelor. over fifty years of age. handsome
and we'll informed. and with large wealth.
He introduced me to old friends of his,
and my circle of acquaintance widened
everyday I was entirely happy, for we
loved each other we'll.
One day uncle George brought home to
dinner stranger, who he introduced as:
1.-THE son of my old friend, Olive, Mr..
Roberts ?'
I made myself agreeable, as in duty
bound, to Mr.. Roberts, a man of thirty. or
Whereabouts, with face that was down.
right ugly, but pleasant from the express
sion of frank good humor and intelligence
upon it. We talked OF everything, and I
was surprised at the eongeniality of taste
we soon discovered. In an animated dis
cussion of heroines, Mr.. Roberts, turning
to uncle George, said:
you were kindly inquiring this morn
ing about my fortune since father died,
but did not tell you one little episode.
Before was fortunate enough to obtain
my present lucrative position, was for
time telegraph operator in small place
called Dryden, and there heard of real
heroine. of whom the world will probably
never hear"
knew what was coming, but kept my
face perfectly composed to listen. When
the story was finished giving uncle George
a sly punch to keep him quiet, said:
What kind of a looking person was this
wonderful heroine p
II never saw her; although Baysvil1e
was the next village to Dryden, never
went there. But she was described to me
as tall, strong and masculine
"In short, my dear Lion" I said gravely,