Smyrna times., 1888-05-02
Labor Well Rewarded.

lOISi we decided TO learn TO talk with
our fingers. The childrn were delight
ed, and every evening they came in to
instruct their pupils. John progressed
finely, but l proved rather a dull
scholar. However, in spite of discour-
agements, L persevered, and, in the
end l had my reward, as we shall see.
Several years had passed away, and
our cottage in the village had been. ex-
changed for more pretentious house
in the city. John was now cashier in
a wealthy banking house, with fair
prospects of becoming a member of the
firm in the near future.
One night, just at dusk, he brought
home box cOntaing large amount of
gold, and, turning the key in the door
OF the secretary, said:
Nellie, on no account allow any of
the servants to tamper with this lock.
That little box you saw me place in the
inner drawer contains five thousand
dollars of the banks funds. The
money should have been placed in the
safe, but the messenger sent to deliver
it did not arrive until the bank was
closed, and l was obliged to bring it
home for safe keeping. But no one
knows about it, so you will be perfectly
safe. Put this in your pocket, and, if
you have occasion TO open the door, be
careful to lock it again." he said, as lie
threw the key into my lap.
Then | remembered that he was to
take the midnight express for a West
ern city, and l will confess l felt mo-
mentary trembling in the region of the
heart. However, the evening passed
swiftly away, and, when John babe me
goodbye at half-past IL, had forgot
ten all about the precious box in the
secretary upstairs, or the important
key that lay so quietly in the bottom of
my pocket. l was accustomed to being
left with the servants, for Johns mid
night visits were by no means rare
when the interests of his employers de-
manded a faithful agent.
was tired that night, and retired
soon after John took his leave. How
long l had been in bed l cannot tell,
but | was just falling into a light slum-
ber when rustling behind the cur
tain startled me. The next instant the
drapery was drawn back, and a gruff
voice close to my ear whispered
hOarsely:
" Keep perfectly quiet, ma'am, and
not hair of your head shall be harm
ed. All l want to know is where your
husband put that box of gold that he
brought home. 1t contains enough to
give me good start in life, and l in
tend to have it. Tell me where l can
find it, and l will leave you unmo-
lested."
Almost paralyzed with fear, 1 could
not have spoken had he attempted to
kill me; but the sight of the revolver
he held so close as almost to touch nv
face gave me strength to point toward
the secretary.
"Where is the key? Get up and
open the door," he said, as 1 made no
reply. Hurry and if you attempt
to escape or deceive me, look out for a
salute from this" waving his revolver.
Just at that moment quick step
sounded on the stairs, and the villain
drew back, whispering:
There is your husband. He has
forgotten something If you make any
outcry or in anyway make known NV
presence, will shoot him on the spot.
Speak cheerfully, and let him go with
out suspecting my hiding place. Re-
member, if you offer to get up, or warn
him, l will not be accountable for the
result"
He had only time to crouch down
among the curtains when the door
opened, admitting John, fully equipped
for his journey.
" Don't be alarmed, Nellie" he be-
gan, at the sight of my white face. a
forgot that deed of Harknet's, and, as
the train is 80 minutes late, con-
cluded to run back after it,"
He took the paper from a drawer,
and went to the fire to examine if it
was all right. Satisfied with its iden-
tity, he slipped it into his pocket, and
commenced buttOning up his OVercoat.
l had tried to speak cheerfully while
answering him, but my heart suddenly
grew faint when thought of being left
alone again with my unwelcOme guest
Watching him closely, caught his eye
long enough to say with my fingers:
Z" For Gods sake, don't leave me,
John there is a ruffian behind the
curtains who has come for that box.
He is armed, and will shoot me if l
stir"
John made me no reply, but the next
moment he glanced at the fire and said
CaTelessly:
You need more fire, Nellie. The
night is growing chilly. 1 should not
be surprised if a perfect blizzard swept
down upon us before morning. Henry
must bring in some more coal before |
he retires," he added, touching the
bell.
Taking up the poker, he stirred the |
fire briskly for a moment, and then |
facing me he spelled out upon his fin
gers:
g Do not be alarmed. l understand" |
Just then Henry appeared in answer
to his summons.
Bring up bucket of coal, Henry,
and if you see the hatchet in the cellar
bring it along. That window in the
hall has got to rattling dolefully, and
must be frightened a little"
l breathed more freely, for both |
Henry and John would have weapons
now. Still, l trembled for the result of
the struggle l knew was at hand.
Shall l drive a nail or two into the |
shutter, sir?" asked Henry, setting the
scuttle down by the door.
" Come in, Henry and give me lift.
-NAS 10 q fiAAetlll bOllluU VIC Dbu cur
tains, and propose to take care of him
for the night" said John, advancing
toward the wretch's hiding place.
l listened for the report of the revol-
yer, but, instead, out walked the trem-
bling culprit, and without a word
placed himself under my husbands
protection. Tearing off his mask,
John exclaimed in amazement:
George is it possible you have
taken to robbery and murder for a
livelihood ?"
Forgive me, Mr.. Matson," whim-
pered the coward. II am embarrass-
ed greatly, and-well, knowing that
you were in possession of such a large
amount, could not resist the tempta-
ton to help myself to portion of it,"
coward do you suppose that your
crime is any more eXcusable on account
of your circumstances A thief who
would murder a defenceless woman for
a paltry few thousand has made long
stride in the road toward the scaffold,S
John retOrted, still tightly grapinR the
arm of the would-be burglar.
only meant to frighten her. /
had no thought of committing such a
grave offence as murder" he replied.
" And still you expected to take the
money at any cost" was Johns reply,