Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-04-10

In newborn apprehension he returned
to the parlor door, and was admitted
in rome wonder by the ladies. who still |
discussed the situation.
is Everard at homer he asked.
'Yes-why?'
Il think III turn In with him to-
night, If he will give me half bed. |
Ou second thought l fear you are not
safe In the house with those jewels
Certainly said Mrs. Beverly, with
ready hospitality. You may have a
whole bed and room. too, If you like
Thanks Il prefer TO concentrate
forces. Give me the box, and you
ladies go to rest. Wen protect you, he
valiantly added as the young man of
the house appeared upon the scene.
But the four ladies surrounded the
newcomer with their tale of woe, and
did not release him TIL the matter was
1 fully and excited gone over.
Chester FIelden was not mistaken.
4 little after midnight he was startled
| from his half-slumber by a noise as OF
saving, or filing. Peering from the
upper window, he located the sound at
the parlor shutters, and soon dIscerned
the figure OF a man in a crouching
attitude.
Rousing Eyerard, the young men
swiftly and noiselessly stole down and
out by a back door, and were creeping
upon the burglar when a sharp, quick
bark from the house dog startled the
man, who Ged precipitately. The gen.
tlemen fired, but it was too dark TO
see beyond few yards
The ladies', aroused and alarmed, +,
were soon treasured, but persisted in
sharing the rem ainder of the evil.
Early next morning, leaving the ser
/ lot. ND
upon a berry excursion, the little party
set out, Chester bearing the mosaic
box. the ladies carrying other valuables,
and Beverly armei with large wooden
box and a pick. Their destination was
Dry Thicket, so called from the exceed
ing dryness of the earth beneath the
almost impeuetrabie trees OF native
growth. These trees were so closely
: interlaced by a tough vine peculiar To
the soil that 1t was necessary TO cut
r ones way, or force it by dint OF
) strength.
r In order to accomplish the latter feat,
! the ladies had donned homespun dresses
kept for such excursions, and the gen.
r tlemen were suitably provided. Wind
ing single file through an arabic Held.
= they descended the narrow path that
led to the thicket and were soon push
E stout lattice of vines. When far into
the interior they found themselves in q
natural arbor free from underground
e and utterly secluded. A fallen log
5 afforded a seat for the ladies, and tht
: gentlemen at once proceeded TO bury
their treasures of gold, and plate, silver
and jewels. Then, scattering leave:
p over the fresh turned earth, the party
returned to Beverly Villa somewhat
T the worse for wear.
a Until these dangerous invaders shal
y have left the community, or are ar
# rested, 1 think you had better arm th'
negro men and be prepared against pos
o bic SURPRISES was Chester Fielder
|. parting words as he took the train a
e the little station two miles away, an
u Was whIrled along towards Columbus
y twenty miles distant.
n VIllula was altogether inland, an
|, hence an easy prey to outlaws. Their
was church, store, a pos.-oilice An
i'd a right goodIy collection of white cot
ID tages. The Beverlys had fallen heir t
1, a tract of land in the edge of the VII
e, lage, and had erected a stylish moder
AT villa, not large, but quite conspicuou
by its air of refined taste.
II The first down train brought hui
re ried letter from Chester stating that
and Eyerard Beverly were detailed
ed convey four dne horses TO a place I
y, safety, and that the threatened sectio
10 was well pIcketed.
There was a general hiding OF vail
~ able, live stock and provisions. Il
ul numerous swamps and thlckets anor'
IS ing secure harbor5 all over the countr
Is, y reign of terror existed during Il
so two weeks that followed. The dreadt
maraudeTs were at work, and stori
d. were rife of insults to women and ou
RACES upon men. Some of these we
e peculiarly narrowing Mr.. Weldt
'm Hunt, a wealthy old planter. was hun
ed by the neck till almost dead, yet
at obstinately refused to tell where /
strong box was concealed. Mrs. Oliv
Towers. the only child of anoth
IT wealthy planter, was rudely persecutt
sIe in the effort to save her gold watch,
'ut precious heirloom, and the ruffia
he would have searched her person, VIII
m; the agonized mother fell upon her Ene
so in audible prayer TO the Almlgh
hs preserver of the innocent and helpleS
VS. This awed the Vandals, and they co
-, tented themselves with deSpoiling I
IL handsome furniture, and carrying {
is poor little Dolly, the favorlte pony
he the daughter of the house. The gen
nat creature whined pi,eously, with
OF most human intelligence, as she
mounted and heartlesslyIdrlven ava
The Every evening the citizens collect
/: together AID discussed the situate
eTl fresh stories meanwhile curdllng
ing blood of the listeners.
ND Thus far the highwaymen had bail
The vigilance of the authorities. L
ust country was thinly settled, and
me peculiar features of the landscape
ere forded facilities both for cOncealmf
the and escape.
our The ladies of Beverly Villa spent
ute weary days and nights IN torture
hat apprehension. One evening they W
ure watching the resplendent sunset fr
nall the front gallery, and also on
alert for whatever else might appe
city when a ragged urchin came up
tort dusty road, turning somersaults W
surprising agility. He pulled up at
hat gate, fumbled at the latch, then
tered and sidled rather doubtfU
be toward the ladies.
the Here's suthin' fur Miss Bowels
5 tC OF her?'
to Yes said Nina, receiving di
rap note from the boys dirtIer nng'
7 by Where did you get it?'
ap lie give il to me-he did, nodd
We his head down the road; an he GIN
Is thisl' he added triumphantly, hold
sta up coin, a. he darted away at
evolutions again.
ady Nina deciphered the following Ii
'eeD from Chester, scribbled upon leaf
ties his notebook:
We are encamped in Dry Thic
neu with the horses-all safe thus
nicn Black Bess has carried me nebly.
not attempt to come-you could
saw iud US. Keep a brave heart. We n
o' soon entrap the rascals. (Messer
> lie pest can flnd.l
Faithfully Yours, c. f
Nina hugyed the precious mess
ome close all evening, and ioyfuIly was
her message received py the neighoor
,ded we'll as the Beverly household.
n he About nine next morning a part.
,,zr baaded nv the notorious r