News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-07-01

it. He is very anxious to secure such a
weapon
she did not dare look me in the
face, and her hands shook as she waited
for me to reply.
I" MY revoIver-ha ha! I'm afraid
no none would accept the walking
stick in the corner over there for a
shooting IRON
F." But you have knife, she persist
ed, making great effort to raise her
eyes.
"'Yes, this 1 answered, as 1 ex-
hibited pocket knife.
THAT ended the conversation in that
direction. From that moment the wo.
man seemed very busy with her thoughts.
and conversation Jagged. On two or
three occasions when | addressed her
she started up in nervous way, and
asked me to repeat the Interrogation.
At ten o'clock | signified my desire to
retire for the nighs. Sac took candle
and ascended to the loft, and l heard
her pulling the bedstead about and
tramping around. The floor was of un-
dressed and unmatched boards. and the
lioht OF her cauaTS G0uId 81 rla:..IJ-
made out When she came down she
handed me the candle, and hoped
would sleep soundly. As was my in
variable custom, took my pack along
with me, and climbed the ladder to find
myself in long, low room, lighted by
a window at either end The bed was
at the further end, and the lower sash
of the window was up its full height.
From the window to the bed was a dis
tance of about four feet Notwith-
standing the rain, the chamber was
close and sultry, and for this reason the
woman had raised the window, and for
this reason l left it up. l placed my
pack on the foot of the bed, blew out
the light, and sat down to think. The
widow had acted in suspicious man
ner, and yet there was nothing, when
came to think it all over, which really
condemned her. won't admit that [
was bit alarmed, but found myself
trembling at some unseen and underlined
danger. 1t was curious position to
be placed INTO feel no fear, and vet
be shaking as if some terror was upon
YOU. | looked out of the window, but |
the night was so black that | made out |
nothing. LIGHTED a match and looked
under the bed, which had a valance |
around it, but there was not even box
or basket hidden away.
81 think I sat by the window full |
hour before deciding to go to bed, and |
then | simply pulled off my coat and |
boots and lay down on the outside, full |
ly determined to remain awake for a
couple Of hours at least. | had trustv |
revolver with me, and | felt certain in |
my own mind that any one who attack
ed me in an open manner would find |
me a tough customer. There was no |
whatever from below. The |
clock struck eleven soon after got into |
bed. was wide awake when it struck |
twelve. l never felt less inclined to
sleep, but l had certainly dozed off |
when a noise at the open window
aroused me. listened until sure that |
'ome one or something was there, and
hen / swung my legs off the bed to
ace around. As my feet touched the
loor there was flash of fire and loud
eport, and by the momentary light /
aw the head and shoulders of a man
outside of the window l had my re-
oliver in my hand and the flash of his
Weapon had scarcely passed away when
gave him bullet. heard fall out
ide ID. rs, and id IS sES - the Oh byimdGw ind VI
aised. 1t was only then that knew
lis bullet had hit me in the calf of the
eg, though the excitement kept the
,ain almost subdued. l gave the ladder
heave and heard it go crashing down
md then drew away from the window
or fear of being fired on. Just then
he clock struck one.
''There had been an attempt to mur-
Ter me. Was the would be murderer
he widows SOM If not, the firing
must have aroused her, and she should
AVE called out. If so, had I killed
i'm? Would it be safe for me to 90
lown stairs? Wouldn't the mother Sc
ure the weapon and fire upon me as 1
descended the ladder? There was no
et-up to the rain, nor did the darkness
freak away. decided to remain where
was until daylight, providing l was
eft undisturbed. From that time until.
lay broke | heard no sound to alarm
ne. l sat in chair, revolver in hand,
nd the pain from my wound making
ne cringe; and if ever mortal man was
ittN w oSS NIAC 1Sl1tC way IL
vas the person before you. The rain
eased about half-past two, but made
10 attempt to get to the window and
ook out until daylight was strong
nough to enable me to see everything
'lainly. The ladder way lying on the
round, but nothing was to be seen of
ny midnight visitor. | took up my
'ack and limped to the open trap door
n the floor, but no one was stirring.
With a good deal of an effort descen-
ed to the ground floor, half expecting
o be attacked, but the house was de
erted and the back door open. l
Washed and dressed my wound as well
s l could, helped myself to something
o eat, and hobbled off down the road
lntil | reached a cabin, where q mule
nd cart could be hired.
''What did | do about the cold
flooded attempt to murder me2 Moth
ng at all. If had made complaint / |
hould have been detained for weeks or
months as witness, and l could not
ave sworn to the identity of the man
the window, nor to any circumstan-
es that would have convicted the wo-
IAN. l gave out that it was an accident,
nd though it was not serious wound,
gave me this linn for life.