Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-09-12
A Terrible Vengeance.
'Hark Cyrus What was that 7"

''Hark Cyrus What was that I"
Nothing, Emily. Let me 60 to
sleep, will your"
For few moments silence reigned
in the sleeping chamber.
Cyrus Wintsrbottom, there's
somebody in the house I hear q
noise in the kitchen ~
Cyrus sat up in bed and listened.
It's the cat" he grumb!ed, drows-
lily.
"A cat doesn't wear boots and 60
around opening doors. Harkr'
The baby stirred and Mrs Winter.
bottom soothed il TO rest again.
IL don't see what anybody wants
TO get into our kitchen for" growlsd
Cyrus, with yawn. There's moth
ing to-heigh-ho Ito steal in that
part of the house, is there y
Nothing to steal There's plate
ful of tarts, a pan of doughnuts and
a sponge cake"
"Some OF your-heigh-ho-your
own concoction, Emily"
Yes, some OF my own making.
Then there's all the silverware, and
-
Hell never get TO the silverware,
Emily, il he tackles the doughnuts
first. You will find his horribly dis
torted body in the morning"
Hush Hark y
He listened again. All was quiet.
But presently an unmistakables sound,
as Of somebody moving about on the
floor below, aroused even Cyrus dull
senses. Steps seemed to be approach.
ing the stairway. Cyrus took his re-
volver ont from under his pillow,
climbed softly out OF bed, went to the
door OF the room and got behind IL,
first having cautioned his wife In a
whisper TO make no noise and leave
matters entirely In his hands.
Softly and stealthily came the steps
up the stairway, and In few mo-
ments the dim light Of the ght-lamp
on the dressing-case fell upon the
stalwart form Of a man whose face
was concealed by a mask.
Mrs. Winterbottom screamed at
sight OF him, the baby woke up and
howled. and before the burglar could
recover from the momentary confu-
sion into which this unexpected re-
ception had thrown him, Cyrus con-
fronted him with the revolver.
"You Internal scoundrel ~ he Kissed.
Don't you move muscle or I'll
put ball through you ~
The revolver hadn't been loaded
for year or more, and Cyrus knew
1t, but the burglar didn't
The pitiful wretch stood perfectly
still
Take off your mask ~ sternly com.
manded Cyrus.
The burglar complied. With ashen
face and mean, hang-dog look he
stood there and said not a word.
Mrs Winterbottom had recovered
her self possession, but the baby con-
tinued to howl.
1T would serve you right, you
sneaking, contemplate villain" said
Cyrus in a deep, tragic voice, III !
should shoot you where you stand.
l believe I'll do II anyhow"
Mercy Mercyw pleaded the
trembling wretch. ''It's the nrst
time ever broke into a house. I'll
never do 1t again. Please let me CO."
IT'S the first time you were ever
caught at 1t It'll be the last. Down
on your knees !"
Don't kill him. Cyrus r. begged his
wife. Think Of the carpet ~
Listen ~ said Cyrus, coming close
to the kneeling burglar. Hold up
your hands ~
While the fellows hands were mp
Cyrus riHed his pockets. He took
therefrom two loaded revolvers, q
bowie knife, dagger, a slung shot,
a bottle OF chloroform and and q
sandbag.
"Your first offense. is itr' said Cy.
rus. For novice at the business
you carry a pretty good kit Of tools.
Stand upr
The burglar obeyed.
Are you a man Of family -
"Yes sir; o, please"
stop your whiningr'
A look OF hare, stern, relentless
purpose settled on Cyrus face. He
pointed the revolver at the abject
scoundrel's head again.
go and take that baby he COM
manded.
"Wh-what forr'
Never mind what for You go and
take that baby r.
Cyrus ~ exclaimed Mrs. Winter
bottom, in dismay, what do yon
meanT'
~ know what i am about, Emily.
Pick up that squalling infant, you
villain -
The man obeyed.
Handle it carefully r.
"Yes, sirr'
Now walk the floor with II y
For four long hours Cyrus Winter
bottom held that empty revolver lev
eled at the head Of the miserable man
and compelled him to walk up aud
down the room with the crying,
suuirIning infant in his arms.