The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-01-23
FIGHT WITH BURGLARS.

positions that served to Harrow up my soul,
freeze my young Blood and turned my hair
as gray as rats before my fortieth birth
day.
l had been hired, when a small lad, as an
under clerk or apprentice in a wholesale hard
ware store In New York After several
years. service, during which gained good
practical knowledge of the business and
gradual promotion. became the head sales
man and enjoyed the fullest confidence of my
employers.
/ was nearly 20 years of age when the adj
venture which am about to relate occurred.
The work of my early apprenticeship had en-
larged and strengthened my muscular sys-
tenn, my health was at its best and as had
never been exposed to peril knew but little
of the sensation of fear.
For many years had slept alone in the
store. Every evening the doors and win
dows in the rear were protected with heavy
iron shutters, swung from outside and
strongly barred and bolted inside; the hatch
ways leading to the cellar and second floor
were securely covered and fastened; one of
the massive wooden front doors was bolted
at the top and bottom, while the other was
only carefully locked, and the key was sell
dom removed.
My bed occupied corner of the counting
room, midway between the front and rear
of the store. Upon retiring always turned
off all the gas, for, If necessary, could, from
long familiarity with the store and its con-
tents, make my way safely about all parts of
it in the most profound darkness.
In all my mercantile life the premises had
never been beset by burglars, and, indeed, the
store was 30 carefully closed and guarded
against intruders that it was deemed invul-
nerable.
One night l was suddenly awakened by
some noise that seemed to come from outside
Of the store. As l raised myself in bed to
listen, heard a neighboring city clock strike
two. When its vibrations ceased felt sure
that something was wrong at the front door.
There seemed to be saw and other sharp
implements in operation. Thus impressed,
quietly rose, dressed and made my way in the
dark to the front
Listening for few seconds, could hear
faint whispers, and then the sound of small
saw. Then ! knew that burglars were cut
ting hole in the door in order that the key
might be reached and turned From psasiss
discovered on the key, during subsequent
examination, it was evident that they had
tried to turn it with nippers, but it was too
cumbrous, and tho effort had been ADAM
doned.
/ could have frightened away the intruders
by making noise and lighting the gas but
wished, If possible, to thwart their purpose
In another manner, and capture one of the
marauders. With this intention | cautiously
crept to package Of stout bed cords, one of
which seized, and returned to the door. In
the end Of the cord l made an easy running
moose, and strongly fastened the blight to the
leg Of neighboring counter that supported
heavy boxes Of tin plate
Then l carefully held the moose around the
place where the burglars were cutting the
hole After waiting few minutes, heard
them remove the piece Of wood which they
had sawed out. The light Of bull's-eye Ian
tern flashed for an instant at the aperture,
sufficiently to reveal its outline and enable
me to adjust the moose. Then mans arm
was thrust through the hole
This was the opportunity for which had
waited. A quick and vigorous movement
drew the moose tightly around the fellows
wrist, and then hauled on the cord with all
my strength until l had pulled the arm
through the hole as far as could, notwith-
standing the opposition manifested by its
owner.
1hcio was iiO lo1Sc, ultIOuRu tub IeuOW WIS
undoubtedly In great pain; and when had
firmly secured the cord to the counter felt
along 1t until touched the arm, and found
that 1t had been forced through the opening
almost to the shoulder
/ was not in the least frightened had
one of the burglars prisoner, and knew
that the others would not long remain with
him. On the whole was rather pleasantly
excited and quite exultant over my success.
Slipping on my shoes, lighted three or
four gas jets, unfastehed back door and
shouted down the alley for policeman. As
soon as he came let him inside Of the store,
and then we began to reconnoiter and ascer-
tain the status of affairs at the front. The
arm was still there, Of course-I should have
been exceedingly astonished IL it had disap-
peared The cord was tightly drawn around
the wrist and the hand was black, owing to
the stoppage of the circulation of tho blood.
The policeman then returned to the alley
and made his way to the front, picking up
another officer on the street TO assist him.
Presently heard them shouting to mo that
the burglar was dead; that his companions,
finding it impossible to release him and fear
full that he would expose them to the author
tiles, had cut his throat from ear to ear.
was young and unused to dreadful acts
like this, and the unexpected denouement not
only astonished me, but so shocked my nerves
that / nearly tainted. The return of the
policeman to aid me In loosening the arm and
open the front door partially restored me;
but after the dead burglar had been removed
and the doors were securely refastened,
could do nothing but walk the floor in great
nervous distress, until 1t was time to open the
store for business in the morning.
Then, when the clerks arrived, and had
related my adventure to them, / was fain to
go home and avoid the excitement that
knew would distract me II remained to an
swer the thousand questions that would be
asked of me.
had only one satisfaction, but it was one
that a lad of my age could thoroughly enjoy
was hero. The police, the press and the
public freely expressed their admiration for
the GOODNESS and bravery had manifested In
capturing the burglar, and the sympathy and
hearty congratulations Of personal friends
soon restored me to comparative quietuds.
But, best Of all, was the kind consideration
which received from my employers. They
were very profuse in the expressions Of their
esteem. They had sent for the policeman
who assisted me, and he had told the story Of
the burglary in such a manner as to give me
Inc Sole circuit Oh tne capture Inc result WIS
a magnificent gift and fortnight's leave of
absence to recruit my shaken nerves.
Two years later was sent to Savannah,
Ca, by my employers to open and manage a
branch store In that city.
was yet unmarried. The store had bed
room in tho rear, adjoining the office, and
there lodged. In it was one large window,
which oreued ufon an allev aa did alan tha
rear door Of the store In the adjoining entry.
At night all the doors were locked and barred.
Tbs bedroom window had tight. heavy out