Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-10-18
THE LADY AND THE BURGLAR.


II vas Just after the war. and things
we're In u very chaotic state. Ws-my
husband. my little n and I-were
living In Richmond then. On the night
Of which ! write ] could zee that John
was worried about something. He
seemed preoccupied all during supper,
and after the things were cleared away
he took his seat at the table. with y
pile OF medical books reaching above
his head OF the right. and an immense
volume spread open before him.
He evidently had II puzzling case on
hand. and was not In a humor to be
talked TO- took out my crocheting
and worked for a short time on little
Annals sacque. Then I yawned, Gro
cheted u round or two, yawned again,
and finally. in despair, folded up my
work and wen up stairs to my room.
Little Anna had preceded me there,
and lay tucked away in u corner Of my
bed In the rosiest slumber imaginable.
II won't put her In the crib just
yet" thought. ''she Is sleeping so
sweetly." | had got. in the process Of
disrobing, to the point Of dressing
wrapper and slippers. and was shaking
out my hair preparatory to its arrange
ment for the night when the brush
slipped from my hand and fell with q
sharp ring upon the floor. As stopped
10 pick il up a sight met my eyes the
very recollection OF which makes Inc
grow hot and cold by turns. A negro
was under my bed. He was drawn up
- close IN possible to the wall and lay
there watching me am only an av.
erage woman. not particularly cour
ageous or particularly anything that I
know Of. How ! ever kept from shrek.
ing or fainting will v e remain a mys
terry to ine
Supernatural strength must have
COME to my aid. | felt In u moment
the Importance Of ~concealing from this
man the fact that | was aware OF his
presence. I ARCS from my STOPPING
posture, and began brushing my hair
with the utmost GOODNESS and delibera-
ton. but II very white face looked back
at me from the mirror before which I
rtood. ! believe. IL anything. | brushed
my hair longer than usual that night;
then. dividing it in two parts with great
exactness. began plating IT, turning
over In my mind all the while what
course OF action ] should adopt. Sud
denly ] remembered that | had forgot
ten to bring up the basket of silver
which We always kept In our room at
night.
There" | exclaimed aloud. Il left
the silver down stairs. must ask John
to bring Il up with him."
'Johni Oh. John" ! said. going
out 1. 1.-the passage and calling down the
steps. bring the spoons and forks up
With you when you come"
There was no answer. The dining
room door was shut and John was deep
In his book.
How provoking!" exclaimed. Il
will have to 60 down for them myself"
Every detail Of that nights advent,
IRE seems craven. a. with an iron pen.
upon my mind. The very sound Of
my slipper-loose at the heel-as ]
went down the bare steps is distinct In
my memory.
John" | said. as closing the dining
room door behind me ! crossed the room
and placed my hand upon my husbands
shoulder. don't exclaim ut what I'm
going to tell you. There is u man I'M
der the bed In our room. He doesn't
know that ] have seen him. Slip quiet
ly out ut the back door and call for help
before he makes his escape" I don't
think ten minutes could have elapsed
before my husband returned. accompa-
MED by two policemen armed to the
very teeth. but it seemed like hours to
me as ! stood there thinking Of our
little M sleeping so unconsciously on
our bed. and Of the villain lying be-
meath ii.
He was a big. burly fellow. il was
discovered. when at last he had been
dragged from his hiding place and in
duced to assume the perpendicular.
On his person. in addition to nv dia.
mond ring. gold watch and set of pearls,
was found a bottle of c~hloroforn. a big
knife and n loaded revolver The next
day a very treInulous heroine was read.
ing In the morning paper an account OF
0 brave woinan's adventure with a bur.
glar. The brave wonan-the account
said she was myself. too philadelphia
Times.