The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-11-28

Minn,W

intmatiOn of what was wanted of him,
he Slid, unObserved. out of the room and
down the stairs to the street three steps at
time.
''YOu hard-hearted WITCH" he muttered
as he made his way down the street.
you've heart of stone, or none at all.
You've pestered me for rent, when you knew
me to be out of employment of any kind, and
next thing to starving. You've harassed
me till Pm sick of it,"
Herewith he banished Mrs. O'Rouke from
his mind and proceeded at rapid gait. as
upon some definite purpose intent, through
the cold. piercing air.
YES" we presently hear him mutter.
''I'll do it. Pm tired of looking for work
that's not for me to be had. Pll do it. and
have at least, tor this day, one good warm
meal, if nothing more. Right or wrong;
Pm not going to starve Pll take the
money; I'l find it there alright for he
couldn't have seen me, when on that night,
over month ago, while making my bed in
the loft. through the knot hole in the parti-
tion. | saw him counting his silver
money: he couldn't for the darkness shielded
me from him.
Finally, after fifteen minutes of rapid
walking, the poor, ragged wanderer reached
narrow alley way that divided two rows
OF handsome residences. Casting furt,ve,
guilty glance about him, to note that he
was not an object of observation to any one,
he entered the alley way, and did not halt
until he had reached twO-StOry barn about
one hundred yards distant. Casting again
an anxious glance about him, he now eau.
tiously approached the window that was
one OF the prominent features of the barn.
ic inc I
pected it would be: the cOachman has taken
the family to church. and will have moth
ing to fear: for. very likely. he will not be
back for all hour or more"
Ere Bob had finished this sOlilOquy,
he had raised the window. which, as for
tune would have it, was unlocked, and
entered the barn. Once on the inside, he
lost no time; he Immediately aScended the
stairs that led 10 the loft. whence. On an
occasion already mentioned, he had beheld
the coachman counting his earnings In the
adjoining room; and from here he found no
difficulty in gaining access to that apart
ment. But alas! when he reached the
chest. wherein he knew the money to be
stored, he found it locked, and unwilling to
yield to the kicks that he bestowed upon
it. Even then, Bob did not abandon his
wicked design.
II will find an ak or hatchet, or some
thing of the sort about here. and that will
answer" he muttered. And Herewith he
made hasty, but diligent search of the
premises, without, however, finding the OBJ
ject sought for.
And even now, dear reader. this-crazed
by adverse circumstances and grief-pOOr
Bob persisted in his evil intentions.
Curse the luck!" was the expression of
his disappointment, ''but I'll have it yet.
There's an old hatchet lying under my cot
in the garret. I'll run and fetch it; in half
an hour I'll be back, and before an hour is
past, l will be enjoying cup of nice, hot
coffee with rolls"
In the cafe of the hotel n, situated
on Broadway near the Casino, there sat,
partaking of late breakfast. all elderly
gentleman, with face that bespoke life
of sorrow and care, and a youth-a boy of
perhaps fifteen years. Both were fault
lessly attired in suits of dark cloth.
But, fatherw presently the boy. in
answer to some remark the gentleman had
made, replied, lit all seems so strange!
Why did you not write to uS-tO mother
and me-and let us know that you were
alive?"
''Well, Robert. my boy, you see the
facts were these: After the explosion at
the mine wherein my cousin. James Bur-
ton-and not myself (our names are identi.
cal. you see)-was killed, l concluded to
give up looking for fortune in the diamond
fields, and return home. The schooner l
embarked on, however, was delayed many
times by adverse winds, in consequence of
which, l did not arrive in New York until