Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-01-23

going into the house she brought out oi
one place . paddock. and from another q
chain, with which she fastened it 20 -
eurely that no ordinary strength could
force it open. "They can't get throush
that" she said to hsrself; "and there
isn't any way Of getting around it,"
Then she went in the house. locked and
bolted the door, rolled . bureau up
against it, fastened al the windows,
pulled down the shades, and waited in
the dark for the sound Of wheels.
It was not long before they came. but
to Jennie every minute seemed an hour,
while every rustling leaf outside sounded
like q mans stealthy tread. When At
last she heard them coming. for up tho
road, her heart stood still. Nearer and
nearer they came. Would they not sec
the gate she wondered. The horse
still kept on u; and instantly there was .
sudden exclamation outside, crash as
though something had come into COLI.
sion with the gate. the sound Of splinter
ing wood. and the noise Of . plunging
horse. Jennie did not venture to move /;
she dared not 90 to the window. but sat
in the middle Of the room shaking with
fear, and listening for what might hap
pen next. Presently steps sounded on
the planks outside. and in q moment
there was q rap on the door.
Jennie remained perfectly quiet
though her heart beat 50 loud that she
thought they must hear it outside. In
a moment the knocking ceased.
Folks asleep" she could hear one OF
the men say.
Asleep, or dead. or run away" the
other growled.
"Shall We try the window :"
Jennie trembled al over, but the sssh
held firm.
"Oh, come on :" exclaimed his COM
panion. Don't let's waste time We
can splice the shafts with the halter"
They moved of again, and Jennie
breathed more freely. If the shafts
were broken, it would be work Of some
minutes to mend them. and the pursuing
party nigh, yet arrive in time. Mr.. Al
len, whom Jennie knew to be the presi-
Of the Leicester Bank, had the fastest
horse in the country, and ought to be
able to make up at least ten minutes in
ten miles. For . while there was quiet
outside. The men were evidently work.
ing At the shafts and only the stamping
Of the horses feet gave any signs Of life.
Jennie began to get nervous, and to lis
ten more intently for the pursuen ap-
proach. By this time they could not be
far off. Finally, unable to sit any long
er. she crep. upstairs. and sitting down
on the floor by the open window OF tho
attic, ventured to look out. The white
horse was quite distinctly visible as it
stood by the gate, but the men, bending
over the wagon, were hardly more than
an outline. Presently they seemed to
have finished, and backing the horse
around. proceeded to hitch him in the
shafts. Would the Others never come /!
The gate was not yet opened but Jennie
began TO fear that burglars would not
find that . serious difficulty. Suddenly
through the woods came the sound OF
horses hooh galloping - If for life.
Did the men hear it.
Apparently they did.
"Open the gate" she heard one OF
them say.
His companion went to it and vainiy
tried to pull it open. "Its psdlocked,
he exclaimed, after q minute.
The other uttered an oath. "Pick it "
be cried. They've put up . job on US
here. / knew We didn't cut that wire
quick enough"
It was . minute before the burglars
skill could pick the lock, and BY that
time the pursuing wagon was dangerous
ly near.
..Open the gate !" shouted the first
man, pulling back his horse to escape its
sweep.
The other pushed, and tho great bar
swung slowly back. But before it had
opened wide enough to let them through
the other wagon had dashed in upon thu
scene.
"Stand where you are" Jennie heart
Mr.. Aliens voice call out, "or III shoo
you down"
What Immediately followed Jenni
did not zee, for leaving the window, sh
rushed down stairs. lit the lantern, ROLES
back the bureau, unlocked the door, an
went out. When she had gained tn
road the two burglars. captured and tied
were being guarded BY the constabls'
while Mr.. Allen was investigating th