Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-04-11

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Yes, he said that Murrel and his
men had been heard on the Ohio river
and they had committed several mur.
ders. Did you get your powder ? sh'
asked, rather abruptly, as placed my
little purchases on the table.
'Confound it forgot all about it,
I replied, and I could not help feeling
vexed at my thoughtessness, for l wa
entirely out of the article, and had in
tended to get some at Burton's Land
ing, by all means.
oh, don't be so scary!' I interrupt
ed, lightly. You're always thinking
about the robbers. 1t isn't likely they'll
ever get up into this ne'ghborhood, no.
are they any more apt to come when
haven't any powder, than when have
In any event We would have to scamp
er into the cellar
After supper we sat talking tor an
hour or two, in the course Of which the
baby had gone asleep in her CRADLE
We were just thinking Of retiring, when
my wifss quick ear detected the soune
of horses hoofs approaching, and drew
my attention to th, fact.
Put out the light she exclaimed, ir
nervous alarm.
Nonsense Ireplied. It's only some
Of the neighbors, probably
we are not sure. Put the light ou
till they have passed, at least.
And without waiting for ME to ex
tinguish the candle, she obeyed heI
own orders and did it herself. leaving
US in total darkness, for we had allow
ed the fire to 60 out
How nervous you are tonight |!
said.
We can't be too careful she re-
piled.
Well, you'll see that they will pass
right on. In fact. it may only be MIR
Foy on his way home.
No there are more than one
Asthe horsemen drew nearer,1 read
lily discovered by the sound that there
were number of them, and 1 must
confess that the discovery caused MI
some uneasiness, for so many horsemer
were seldom seen in body in tina
sparsely. settled country. But if fell
any misgivings at their approach, fancy
how I felt when 1 heard them stop al
my stable, and begin to dismount.'
oh, Lord! exclaimed my wifi
clutching my arm nervouslY. Come tt
the cellar-qu,ck God save my baby!
With this she. sprang up, and coul,
hear. her. lifting the sleeping child from
the cradle, and now thoroughly alarm
ed myself, l hastened to the trap dool
and opened it.
BE careful said. Don't fall.
Here. let me help YOU
| assisted her to descend into thu
cellar with her precious burden and
think that, if my hair ever stood on end
it did ut that terrible moment. l nov
fully realized that our detenseless home
was beseiged bv a pack of the most
mcrciless of foes, and the thought OF my
terrified wife and helpless babe almost
unnamed me.
We must have reached the cellar in
a very short time, but it seemed like III
age to me and to add to my trepida'
tion l experienced considerable Difficult
ty in securing the trapdoor in its place
after us, 1t was so darS. 1t was al
dark. 1t was all done, however, whel
the men approached the house.
Did you fasten the door p my wife
asked
4 never thought Of it, replied IN 1
whisper.
DO you think they saw the light"
I hope not. They were some dis
tance off, and you know there is M
window looking in the direction iron
which they were coming. Is the baby
as)eep?'
Yes, thank heaven-sound asleep
She was trembling violently.
Then keep perfectly still. Dom
speak till l touch you. and tell yol
what to do ~~
And there we sat in the dark celia
80 perfectly stlll that l could hear th'
beating of my own heart, which Wa
certainly more vigorous than usual.
trust may never be doomed to pass {
minute Of such. fearful suspense as EN-
dured then. How bitterly l cursed my
forgetfulness, in not getting more pow
der that day, and how keenly l felt my
helplessness without it!
A rrhun of mon baltad near to the