The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-11-21

IOOLl was SJIduRc Out. DuuuCul1 Nlt |
was dark it was not that the match had |
gone out, but the brain was shadowed'
| knew nothing more.
SHE TELLS 1T.
/ was always rated courageous. l
seemed to lack that instructive fear which
causes some to shrink from darkness and
loneliness. My brothers and sisters Of
ten declared that would never be fright.
ened not even, added May, with a
shudder, if a burglar were to present him
self before me and demand my valuabes.
These would not tempt any well-regu-
lated burglar, being small and of little
intrinsic value; but should not like to
lose them. and had always determined
to defend my property stoutly if threat
ened, providing of course, that l had
sufficient warning of the robbers inten
tions to enable me act.
| awoke one morning at that proverbial
darkest hour Just before the dawn. |
had no idea what time it was, as the
whole house was wrapped in silence and
darkness; it is from after events that |
am able to say that it was nearly morn
ing. / had started suddenly from sleep,
but at first | could not tell what had
aroused me. As lay listening for some
sound to follow that which had recalled
me from the land of dreams, my thoughts
turned instinctively to our next door
neighbors, who had been domiciled in
the row for about week.
Nobody knew them, although several
of the older residents had spoken of call
ing upon tthem-perhaps; for we liked
| the looks of the ladies aud they seemed
| l.. -. I,tx
ever, seemed to be home all day and
l,aYsy III night. They were not work
ingiaeh %6fs.esld sec ihatn JhE their
hands, their clothing, their bearing 'd'Rse
we were afraid they were not just what
they should be. We recalled certain
grewsome stories of counterfeitcrs, bur
glars and other criminals who settle in
respectable neighborhoods, and only ex-
cited suspicion by the unreasonable hours
which they kept.
Was that step on the stuirsl L lis
tened more intently, my wandering
thoughts recalled from all other sub ects.
Surely it was, and that was another.
There was burglar in the house. |
sprang out of bed and enveloped myself
in a circular which CHANGED to be hang
ing on a chair, as had worn it out into
the rain the preceding evening.
In spite of my boaste1 courage, my
heart beat very loudly as the step was
heard once more, aud this time upon the
landing Just outside my own door
grasped the poker firmly, however, try
ing to restore my wonted courage by the
pressure of that formidable weapon il
my hand. ..~It twas, a plais heavy .bAee
iron, at which the Others often laughed
declaring that it must make me tired t.
rake the fire.
The knob of the door turned slowly
and cautiously, and the burglar entered
the room. What would he do next2 He
closed the door as gently as he had opened
it. and for moment seemed undecided
Did he have dark hnternAnd pistol
Icould not imagine burglar withou
such adiuncts, both of which were equal
ly unfamiliar objects to me; and
shivered as | thought of the advantage
which he would have over me and m!
poker.
Evidently the dark lantern was not il
working order, however, for he simpl
struck match. The little flame showed
me that our new ncighbors were not un
founded upon reason-this was one 0
them. They were certainly a gang o
burglars.
lie made a step toward the dresser
To reach it he must pass me. He wa
within reach of my arm. l raised m
weapon, and uttering the loudest screar
of which my lungs were capable,
struck him on the side of the head. H
fell like log to the floor. Horrorl
had killed him
NV renewed screams alarmed tn
house, and the others were speedily a
my side. had already lighted the gaE
p. and was on my knees beside the man
had struck, vainly endeavorjng to reca
life. My assortment of restoratives,
was afterward assured, was sufficient t
have revived dozen swooning men.
c "What in the world" began IN
Z brother as he appeared upon the scene
: He was the first to come to the room.
"Oh, my burglars come !" exclaimed
v half Historically, "but I've killed him.
;, "Wholly unnecessary severity" re
i marked Tom; ''you always overdo th
thing. But that man isn't dead"
e Asi to confirm his words, the burglG
g just then opened his eyes and looked in
l quiringly around him.
u Gle looks dazed,n l whispered
c Tom.
II "He has occasion to look dazed
you hit him with your beloved poker,
reioined Tom, pushing me aside and al
e plying restoratives in his turn; "put
g where it belongs and go get me SON
u brandy or whisky or something of II
1t kind. Wen have to get this fellow G
:. his feet before we call the police"
/ I-I-was mistaken, SIR" said Il
IS burglar in feeble voice, but with
II very decided manner. 81 was mistake
: in the house. 1t appears that the san
% latch key unlocks both doors, aud | g
g the wrong one"
'r 'Yes. think you did, " reioined Ton
n emphatically, and cycling him with su
&c picion.
k The burglar managed TO scramble
his feet, although | could see that he W
n still dizzy from the encounter with n
g poker. retired into the closet al
1t held the door shut-that is, very nearl
10 Il think that you will do me Il
le favor to change your mind about SEN
Of ing for the police" he said, 'wheu
explain. am employed upon a NOR
rs ing paper, aud am not through with II
at work until nearly this honr in the NOR
9. ing. usually walk home, but too
ID advantage of the new owl cars to-nigh
~ and went TO sleep on my way HON
ne hardly waking up when l got out al
5; walked the half block here. l live
IS, AIS, and | hone YOU will accept my G