The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-02-05
SAVED By A FLASH.
A Remarkable Story In Telegraphy, by
Which a Gang of Burglars Were
Completely Foiled by Two
Young Girls.

WEsLEYvILLE, Pa, January 2S.-Mr.
and Mrs. Guthrie. with their daughters,
1dalie and Jeannie, and son Harry, live in
a lonely suburb, three miles from town.
Owing to its isolation the house was
firmly secured against thieves. Mr..
Guthrie is travelling salesman, and the
small farm is worked by nephew named
Edward Camper. Mr.. Guthrie returned
home Saturday evening, with considerable
money. Soon after his arrival he was
handed a letter imploring him to repair
to the bedside of his dying mother who lives
near here. Upon receipt of this distressing
news Mr.. and Mrs. Guthrie and the nephew
left, leaving the two daughters in the house
alone, the lad being in this village practice
ing telegraphy. Six months ago the boy
obtained permission to sit and watch the
operators in the Lake Shore depot. 1t be-
came a passion with him. At meals he
would spell out messages with his spoon on
the cups. To facilitate his studies he had a
wire across the fields to house in which
lived companion named Higgins, who was
as much infatuated as himself, and the two
lads have been known to sit for a whole
day telegraphing to each other. For pas
time Miss Jeannie took the instrument and
soon became proficient in telegraphy.
Saturday night, Miss Idalie thought she
heard noise outside the house, and,
upon looking from an open win
dow, discovered four masked men
standing near the porch in consultation. The
brave girls demanded of the men who and
what they were. They We're told to unbar
the door on the Epain of death. This the
young girls determined not to do. having
confidence in the bolts and bars. Then the
burglars set to work filing the iron bars of
the first floor windows. The young ladies
knew that with the bars removed access
would be easy. Suddenly Miss JEANNE
was inspired with an idea. "The telegraph ~
and darting to her brothers. room her fin
gers closed over the key, which she worked
hoping that her brother was still at the
Higgins homestead, inrwhich case she could
tell him of their danger, and bring rescuers.
The instrument gave back no sound. "Har-
ry, for Gods sake, answer" licked the
instrument, but Harry had left
the house some minutes before,
his chum walking part of the way home
creased by the fear that their brother
would be set upon by the burglars. when
he reached the house. The files of the viii
lains had by this time cut through one OF
the bars, and the removal of two more
would admit them. In their despair Miss
1dalie hit upon another expedient. In
their practicing with Henry they had tel
egraphed with flags and lights. Getting
out small family magic lantern, they
darkened the room and lit the lantern
Placing IL III a WINDOW uOWu the
road which Henry would come. Then with
a book in front of the lens, the young lady
commenced to signal with long flashes for
dashes and short ones for dots. When few
minutes later they discerned the glimmer
of his hand-lantern in the distance, the
young girls became almost frenZied
with excitement. Henry Guthrie had
parted from his companion, and was near
ing his fathers house, when his attention
was attracted by a powerful light and its
peculiar flashes from an upper
window. He watched the lights
with great curiosity as he ad.
vanced when suddenly it tdawned upon him
| that the signals were telegraphic. Hating
he put down his lantern and spelled out the
signals: "Harry, stop"' Harry, stop"
He stopped, and waved his lantern up and
down to let his signalers know he had OBJ.
served them. His sisters almost tainted
from joy when they saw they were success.
full. In few moments they told the dis
tant boy of their danger, and had the Joy
of seeing his light recede. He had gone tc
| arouse the Higginses. Twenty minute.
later Dan Higgins, Grandpa Higgin:
| three farm hands and Henry sur
prised the robbers, who by this time hat
| effected an entrance in the lower part o.
the house, and were robbing the drawers
Two succeeded in escaping, but the other:
were captured. When the masks were re
| moved one of the villains was recognized a
| Dan Schaw, a boon companion of tn,
| nephew, Camper. This fellow made th'
| startling revelation that the whole affail
| had been planned by Camper, who hac
| forged the letter calling Mr.. and Mrs
| Guthrie and himself away.