The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-02-22

would have told her 10 do that II the telr
phoue bad kept on. Bui how could lit
lie girl arrest two armed and desperate
meni
by this time she began 10 feel silly. She
eould not 20 TO bed with this responsible.
~ upon her. even though she did not
know how 10 meet IL So dressing herself
she opened the frpni door aud looked and
listened. The night Was darker than ever
A little space around the gate vas ht up
by the warning lantern. II tsonld not help
in stopping the burglars she suddenly
thought so going over to the light she
blew It out and left the road in utter dark.
ness, That WAS one move st least towards
the desired end.
All at once she thought Of the gate.
"How stupidl' she said 10 herself.
"why didn't think Of that beforey" The
gate was fastened back against the front OF
the house. but in . moment she hsd un-
hooked il and swung Il around so that il
stretched completely across the road.
There WAS only latch on The gate but 60.
ing into the house she brought out OF one
place paddock. and from another chain
with which she fastened ii so securely that
no ordinary strength could force it open.
"They cant get through that. she said,
"and there isn't any way OF getting round
it. Then she went into the house, locked
and bolted the door and drew bureau up
against it, fastened oil the windows. pulled
down tho shades aud waited in the dark
for the sound OF wheels.
II was not long before they came. but to
Jennie every minute seemed an hour,
while every rustling leaf outside sounded
like mans stealthy tread. When ut last
she heard them coming, far up the road,
her heart stood still Nearer and nearer
they came. Would they not see the gate?
she wondered; the horse kept on; and in
stantly there was a sudden exclamation
Outside, crash as though something had
come into collision with the gate, the
sound OF splintering wood and the noise
OF plunging horse. Jennie did not ven
ture to move; she dared not go near the
window, but sat in the middle of the room
shaking with fear and listening for what
might happen next. Presently steps sound
cd on the walk outside; there was rap
On the door
Jennie remained perfectly quiet, though
her heart beat SO loud that she thought
hey must hear it outside. In a moment
he knocking ceased.
"Folks asleep" she could hear one OF
he men say.
"Asleep or dead. or run away" the 9th
" growled.
"Shall we try the Window"
Jennie tremblsd all over, but the sash
leld firm.
''Oh, come on!' exclaimed his compan-
on. Don't let's waste time. We eau
plice the shaft with the halter. ID
They moved off again. and Jennie
reathed more freely. He shaft was brok /.
n IL would take some time to repair it,
nd the pursuing patty might yet arrive
0 time. Mr. Allen, whom Jennie knew
. be the president OF the Leicester bank, /
ad the fastest horse in the county and
ught to be able to make up ten minutes
A ten miles. For while there was quiet
utside. The men were evidently work Q
,g at the shaft, and only the stamping OF v
ne horses feet gave any sign Of life. Jen. t
ie began to get nervous and to listen more t
ltentl for the sound Of the pursuer's ap v
roach. lBy this time they could not be y
II of. Finally. unable to sit still any J
niger, she crept up stairs, and sitting t
own on the floor by the open window Of
ie attic, ventured TO look out. The white
orse was quite distinctly visible as it b
ood by the gate, but the men, bending il
yer the wagon were hardly more than an II
ntline. Presently they seemed to have f
nished and backing the horse around "
to hitch him iuto the shafts. a
'ould the others never come? The gate o
as not yet opened but Jennie. began TO |
ar that this would not prove difficult
SIX for the burglars. Suddenly through b
le woods came the sound OF horses hoofs q
llloping as if for life. Did the men hear
too? o
Apparently they did.
"Open the gate!" she heard one OF tn EN- L
y. e.
His companion went to the gate. and il
Iinly tried to pull it open. "It's pad b
ckedl" he exclaimed after moment.
The other uttered an oath. "Pick i'll" o
, cried They've put mp job on us u
ere. knew we didn't cut that wire Q.
lick enough"
II was minute before the burglars skill
'uld pick the lock, and by that time the ~
irsuing wagon was very dangerously '
Ear. u
"0pen the gatc!" shouted the first man, Ie
lckine the horse to escape its sweep. 81
The other pushed and the gate swung @
owly Rack, but before it had opened wide u
rough to let them through the other wag al
! had dashed in upon the scene.
"Stand where yon are, Jennie heard &c
r. Aliens voice call out, 'or I'll shoot II
,u down. X
Whist Immediately followed Jennie did ID
ot see, for leaving the window she rushed
own stairs, lit the lantern, rolled back g
10 bureau. unlocked the door and went 9.
IT. When she had gained the road, the
70 burglsrs captured and tied. were be-
g guarded by the two constables. while
Il. Allen was investigating the contents il