West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-11-01

I
knew nothing more.
SHE TELLS TT.
was always rated courageous.
seemed TO lack that instructive fear whi h
causes some 10 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, IL IA burglar were to present him
self before me and demand my valuables.
These would not tempt any well-regu-
lated burglar, being small and of liitlo
intrinsic value; but should not like TO
lose them, aud had always determined
to defend my property stoutly IL threat.
ened, providing, of course, that had
sufficient warning OF the robbers inten-
tions TO enable me act
awoke one morning at that proverbial
darkest hour Just before the dawn.
hal no idea what time il was, as the
whole house was wrapped in silence and
darkness; IL is from after events that |
am able TO say that IL was nearly morn
ing l 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 instnctively 10 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 them-perhaps; for we liked
the looks of the ladies aud they seemed
inclined TO be friendly. The men, how.
ever, seemed TO be home all day and
away all night They were not work
ingmen -one could see that by their
hands, their clothing, their bearing; and
we were afraid they were not Just what
they should lie. We recalled certain
| ggewsome stories OF contradictions, bur
glars and other criminals who settle i'm
respectable neighborhoods, aud only ex-
cited suspicion by the unreasonable hours
which they kept. .
Was thata step on the stairs2 l lis
tened more intently, my wandering
I thoughts recalled from all other sub ects
surely 1t waS, and that was another.
There was burglar in the house.
| sprang out OF bed and enveloped myself
IN circular which chanced 10 be hang
/ ing on a chair, as had worn it out into
/ the rain the preceding evening.
In spite of my boastel courage, my
heart beat very loudly as the step was
heard once more, aud this time upon the
landing ust outside my own door.
/ grasped the poker firmly, however, try.
ing 10 restore my wontcd courage by the
/ pressure of that formidable weapon in
my hand. 1t was n plain, heavy bar Of
! iron, at which the Others often laughed,
/ declaring that it must make me tired TO
rake the fire.
: The knob of the door turned slowly
and cautiously, and the burglar entered
/ the room. What would he do nextl He
closed the door as gently as he had opened
[ it, and for moment seemed undecided.
/ Did he nave q dark lantern and pistol :
/ Icould not imagine o burglar without
! such adjuncts, both Of which were eouaI-
J ly unfamiliar objects TO me; and /
shivered as / thought of the advantage
which he would have over me and nv
! poker.
I Evidently tho dark lantern was not In
I working order, however, for he simply
struck a match The little flame showed
me that Our new Dcighbots were not un-
( founded upon reason--this was one of
! them. They were certainly gang of
( burglars.
lie made step toward the dresser.
To reach it he must pass me. lie was
within reach Of my arm. raised my
weapon, and uttering the loudest scream
OF which my lungs were capable, I
struck him on the side of the head. He
fell like log TO the floor. Horrorl !
had killed him
My renewed screams alarmed the
house. and he others were speedily at
my side. had already lighted the gas.
aud was on my knees beside the man /
had struck, yainly endeavoTing to recall
life. My assortment OF restOratives, I
was afterward assured, was sufficient TO
have revived dozen swooning men.
what in the world" BEGAN my
brother as he appeared upon the scene.
lie was the first to come TO the room
ooh, my burglars come :" ] exclaimed,
half Historically, "but I've killed him. :"
Wholly unnecessary severity" re.
marked Tom; you always oveTdo the
thing. But that man isn't dead -
ASH TO confirm his words the burglar
just then opened his eyes and looked in.
qniringly around him
lie looks dazed," / whispered to
Tom
"tle has occasion to look dazed IL
you lit him with your beloved poker. %
reioined Tom pushing me aside and ap.
plying restOrative5 i'm his turn: 'put il
where IL belongs aud 90 get me some
brandy or whisky or something of tho
Kind. Wen have 20 get this fellow on
his feet before we cali the police"
'I-I--was mistaken, sir" said the
burglar in a feeble voice, but with a
very decided manner 81 was mistaken
ia the house II appears that the same
latch key unlocks both dOors and got
Che wrong one"
''Yes think you did, " reioined Tom.
omphatically, aud cycling him with sus-
piciOn
The burglar managed TO scramble TO
his feet although / could sec that he was
Still dizzy from the encounter with my
poker ] retired into the closet and
held ihe door shut--that is very nearly.
y think that you will do me the
favor 70 change your mind about send
ing Tor the police" be said. "whon
explain. j am employed upOn % morn
ing paper, aud am not through with my
WORK until nearly This honr in the morn.
ing. usually walk home. but ! took
advantage of the new owl cars tonight.
and went 10 sleep on my way home.
hardly waking up when I got out and
walked tho half block here. live AZ
iij, and hope you win accept my ok
p'anaiion and apologies and allow me to
20 home 90 bed. am very serry I have
disturbed the lady, and probably fright
ouod har 30