The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-05-02

big dog.
But didn't want to be bothered with
either of 'em. / told him I'd rather run
the risk OF burglars, though / don't sup
pose either of us ever really thought
there was any risk 10 run. I'm sure
didn't.
One day friend Of Johns who'd been
at work good while in the factory, aud
was prudent, saving fellow, got tired o
that kind of life, and said he was going
to quit it, and look about to see if he
couldn't find little farm somewhere
that he could buy with the money he had
saved,
knew what that meant. There was
smart girl IN the factory that be had
taken fancy to. and she liked him, and
they were going to be married es soon as
be had found . home to take her to.
Well, he brought his money to us, and
wanted we should keep 1t for him till be
was ready to use it. There were over six
hundred dollars. John told him he'd
better pnt it in the bank but he said he
calculated to use it right away, and he
guessed it would be as safe with US as if
he put it in the bank.
So he left it, aud John put it in the
lelt-hand till of that old blue chest that
you see in the corner there. ] shall
always think the man was looking in at
the window and saw John when be put
it there-But there! I'm getting ahead
of my story!
One night John went of to the factory
and left ms alone, as Csual. 1t was dark
and stormy. The wind blew in great
gusts, and kept the lilac bushes tap, tap,
tapping against the window as if some
one was tryin to get in. 1t made me
nervous and fidgety to hear them.
The little one was about two years old,
and such youngsters get asleep early,you
know. About eight o'clock ] undressed
her aud put her to bed. / sat up q
couple of hours after that, to finish q
pair of socks for John. By the time I'd
got them done, 1 was sleepy, too. aud l
went to bed, went to sleep, and must
have slept about two hours, for the clock
was striking twelve when / woke up.
heard a step In the hall. At first /
thought maybe there'd been break
down at the factory, and John had come
home. But it sounded different from
Johns step rs l listened heavier and
slower, and it reused me, and set me to
wondering about who it was, and how he
had got into the house. But can't say
that was frightened any at first. May be
/ wasn't awake enough to be scared.
At first thought I'd call out and ask
what was wanted, but didn't. / don't
know why, though. just kept still and
waited TO see what was going to happen.
The step came to the door, and then l
heard hand on the knob and it was
turned as quietly as possible, and the
door was pushed open very cautiously.
As the door opened light shone into
the room, and knew it was some one
who had lantern with him.
You can be sure j was scared then.
was so scared that I couldn't stir, nor
scream. just lay still and looked out
of the least bit of a crack in my eYelids.
A great burly fellow that recognized,
the moment he put his face into the
room, as a man who had been at work in
the mill, came 10, and held up his Ian
tern 30 the light could shine on me.
/ shut my eyes tight then. He came
up close to the bed, and stood and
watched me for title while TO make
sure was asleep, suppose.
could feel the light on my face. Oh,
il was terrible! didn't dare to move
muscle. / was in agony for fear the
child would wake up. I've no doubt he
would have killed US.
tell you, you've no idea what q trial
it is to lie still and be in mortal fear,
thinking every minute may be your last
and knowing that your only chance
for life depends on keeping quiet.
1t seemed tonne as if he stood there and
watched me for an hour.
By and by he seemed to be satisfied that
was fast asleep, for he lowered the
lantern aud went toward the old blue
chest. | breathsd easier when he left
the bed and opened my eyes just the
least bit, to watch him.
| saw him bend over the chest and try
several keys in the lock before he found
one that would unlock it, and lie opened
the chest. and began to look through the
till where had put Ben Green's money.
Pretty soon he found it under some
pieces Of cloth, and he took it out aud
counted it over before lie put it in his
pocket.
You can't imagine how Ifelt when
saw what lie was after, for knew what
terrible loss it would be to Ben, who'd
worked long aud hard for it.
1t was as much as l could do to keep
from screaming, but knew that wouldn't
help matters any, and it would make
them all the worse for me. So kept
still.
Well, after he had put the money in
his pocket, he shut the chest, and then
looked at me to see if / was still asleep.
When he had satisfied himself that |
was, he turned away, aud | supposed be |
would 90 directly out Of the house, but |
he went toward the cellar door, and |
opened it, and stood looking down the |
stairs.
Quick as a cat, aud about as still, l |
spriRg out of bed, and before you could |
have counted ten, / had crossed the /
room and sprang against him with push |
that sent him tumbliug down the cellar .
stairs, and then swung the great thick /
door together aud slipped in the bolts. |
/ krew had him safe then, for a while |
anyway, for there was no way TO get out /
Of the cellar except through that door.
Myi but how that man did curse aud /
rave! 1t made my blood run cold to hear
him, But ! didn't stop to listen. l
hurried on my clothes and took the
baby. and wrapped her up well, aud
started for the factory,
found John and told him my story,
and half-a-dozen men started for the
house at once. Aud they'd got the man
tied up with rope by the time got {
here.
He looked at me as if he wished he'd
killed me. I'm sure he did.
So You see 1 saved poor Ben's money,
after all But you may be sure we did
nj keep IL in the honse another night.
John took it TO the bank next morning.
then he resigned his position on the