Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1889-02-28


After he had gone | took the money up
to my room and hid it in the tin box
whore kept Tom IIarrings lettcrs-the
sailor boy who was coming home soon to
marry me.
When Q O'Clock came slipped off to
bed and was soon in the land of dreams.
Ab,ut midnight | WAS aroused by the
sound of voices and noise as if some
one was working at the door.
"What do YOU want I called cut bold-
ly. "If yon don't want me to rouse my
father you had better go away"
"lour father is miles away, my gill {;
so you'd better let us in"
To this made 10 answer, so they con
tinued
Wed like drop of beer, too, if YOU
have it handy. Will YOU let us in or
uol?"
This is my fathers house." answer
ed. In his absence | admit no strang-
ers."
We'll show you" they scornfulIy re-
piled.
And once more chisel and hammer fell
boldly to work. Oh how blessed the
trusly lock, and when at last they ceased
their useless cfrrts, and their footsteps
died away, | fell on my knees in n tran.
sport Of gratitude that had escaped the
danger.
But it was, alas short lived. From
it | was aroused by crash which made
the walls trembe. The men had with
drawn. and arming themselves with n
huge log as a battering ram, assailed the
door saw the bar shake and knew it
could not long stand their united pres
sure. With strength almost suporhumau
/ dragged what furniture | could to it.
deicn,e piling it up rs a barricade. fear
being los in irenzied Indignation at this
outrage to Il helpless girl. Then speed
Ing up stairs, | took the money from the
place where had deposited it, ard plac, d
it in my breast, determined to protect II
with my life. As turned to go down
again my eye fell on my fathers gun, and
with almost sob of thanksgiving J
seized ii in my grasp. AsIdid soauothcr
blow was struck, followed by another
and another.
Il am armed" I cried through tie
door. If YOU force an entrance | viii
kill you."
a scorniuI laugh was the only reply,
rs the blows fell thick and fast, the men
relrcaiiug far enough to move forward
with newlyacquired strength. Once
more | glanced around the room. Tic
fire vas dying out; only a few cmbers
were lett in the ashes. You can fancy
my white face with blazing resolute eyes
and stout young heart facing the unseen
enemy, not knowing at what moment my
sole defence would yield. Another blow !
lhe limbcrs crack. Soon, stout rs they,
are, they will give away. But "A few mo-
ments must elap-e before they are destroy
ed. Once more | shout through tie
door:
"AIen, if you enter, it is at the peril Of
your lives BE warned in time -
Again scorniu laugh is my reply.
You shall pay well for this work, so
no more of your threats" they say, aud
obey them.
What i, my best defence ? Back Of me
/ Is window low to the ground. Have
they spy at the rear? This | must risk,
and trusting To the noise and darkness.
slip silently the bolt, and raising the sash,
leap to the ground. just as, with an awful
crash, my barricade falls to The floor. The
door gives way and the men leap into tic
now deserted room.
The open window betrayed me- They
rush forward. There is lut one chance.
raise the GUN and empty both barrels
in space; then clutching the mopcy, press
ing it tight to my breast, fl c into dark
hess. On and on 20 until | pause to
listen for the footsteps following. but the
bcating OF my own heart is the only
souud hear. Then sink, iaiuiing for
the first time in my life, upon the cold
ground. When open my eyes they
peer into my fathers pale, anxious face,
who bends and kisses me.
"Ihe MONEYS it safe 2 is my frst
ques ion.
"YeS, my brave girl-thanks to you
every dollar of it,
"And those menT