Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-06-25
A'ilc Burglars Defeat.


than you Nould SUPPOSE remarked u
Louisville gentleman, few days ago.
Upon being asked the particular
ground for such a trito observation he
told the reporter Of an incident which
occurred two months nIo, and which IL
lustrated the trnth Of his remark in u
striking manner.
A widow lady, one bitter cold night
was nursing her little thrce-ycar old
girl, who had been seriously i'll for
several days The mothers heart was
sad, and brain and body were weary
with long vigil. The clock had struck
The hour Of midnight, the wind, was
shaking every window and bowling
round the street corners, and tbs snow
was being driven pitilcssly hither and
tLither.
The little child dropped into fit
ful sleep, and the wcaried mother
rested, looking into the fire with a
sense Of loneliness. The other mem
bers of the household had long since
been asleep, leaving the patient moth
cr alone ON her long nightwatch,
With d lull in the wind and cessa-
ton of the little scher's groan's the
mother heard a suspicious noise in an
adjoining room. She listened intently
aud the sounds grew more pronounced
Some one was forcing entrance into 4
bureau. Trembling, yet brave Of heart
thinking more Of her sleeping child
than she did Of personal Danger, she
stepped into the hall and walked noise
lessly to room in a distant part Of
the house, The door wtss PARTLY open
anl the gas was turned up.
Her heart stood still, for there before
her were two burly men, engaged in
prying open bureau tiraFer. One Of
the burglars, with an ooth, presented
lis pisol and said
"Doh't speak or more step, woman
YOU received some money q few days
ago and we're going to have it,
The woman E,ltcrcl, and then said
II a low tone Of VOICE
"non't make any noise, please. The
uo>e" IS in NY room, where ny child is
living sick. Comic with me AID YOU
shall have it. But for Gods sake, don t
frightcr my child; it will kill her
She is very s;ck;;' and the trembling
voice ard tcar-I'tlcn eyes were ample
proof Of her truthfu!ncss.
"We'l! try her. FjlI. Go on ahead,
woman, SAID -hc ruifiNn, with D threat-
cning gesture.
Down the hal, ehc three figures
walked noisecSsly until the mothers
chamber door was reached. Pushing
the door wide open, the mother held
up an cntreating hand, which gesture
said palmer than words. "Don't come
into ,h. light." Just at this moment
a Il ;ntiyo voice cried ouJ,-
"Mamma. Where is 10y mamn-a : :
want drinkr'
I'm coming, darling. Mamma is
horc,' said tie the mother, IN a cheer
ful voice.
Then she handed the little child q
drink; benGing over her she lui'ed her
to rest with a rlaintivc little song, and
she dropped to sleep.
Then the mother went to the bu:eaH
unlockct. t, and drcw cut II vi Of
money. 1t was not much but sufficient
for the wants of month. Again
benling over the child to see that she
y~aa not disturbed, tho mcther went
orc into the hall, closing the door be.
hind her The burglars were not there
She ateprol hastily down to the hall
door. No one was there, but the door
was jar. Opening the door che heard
u voice sayiag,-
"It's the last time l',n going to DO q
Job Of It's kiMl, Bill. 1t isn't % my
stomach.'
The mother spoNe in a low tone,
holding out tbs money!
"I1crc is the money. Th&nk you for
net disturbing n.3 o'AId,'
"lNcer it mn'am. | hope The kid
Will sct we'll. Goodnight ma'am.'
And the two rutlians, who but few
uomcnt, as the mother l::tcncl to their
departing steFs, j: seemed aa il the
fierce wine: was $tilled, and the black
night was lghtened up with strange
light.