Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-30
A Terrible Vengeance.
From the Chicago Tribune.


"Hark Cyrus! What was that?"
Nothing, Emily. Let me 60 to sleep, will
your
For a few moments silence rsigned In the
sleeping chamber.
"Cyrus Winterbottom, there's somebody
in the house! / hear . noise in the kitchsni''
Cyrus sat up in bed and listened.
"It's the cat," he grumbled, drowsily.
"a cat doesn't wear boots and 60 around
opening doors. Hark!'
The baby stirred and Mra winterbottom
soothed it to rest again.
Il don't see what anybody wants to get into
our kitchen for" growled Cyrus, with . yawn.
There's nothing to-heigh-ho!-to steal In
that part of the house, Ii there?"
Nothing to steal! There's plateful Of tarts
pan Of doughnuts and q sponge cake"
ton, 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 distorted body in the morning"
Hush! Hark!'
He listened again. All was quiet But pres
emily an unmistakable sound, as Of somebody
moving about on the floor below, aroused even
Cyrus dull senses. Steps seemed to be APP
preaching the stairway. Cyrus took his re-
volver out from under his pillow, climbed
softly out Of bed, went to the door OF the room
and got behind 1t, first having cautioned his
wife in whisper to make no noise and leave
matters entirely in his hands.
Softly and stealthily came the steps up the
stairway, and in q few moments the dim light
of the night-lamp on the dressing-css fell
upon the stalwart form of man whose face
was concealed by q mask.
Mrs. Winterbottom screamed at sight Of him.
the baby woke up and howled, and before the
burglar could recover from the momentary con-
fusion into which this unexpected reception
had thrown him Cyrus confronted him with
the revolver.
s'You internal scoundrel!" he Kissed. "Don't
you move muscle or I'll put Q ball through
your
The revolver hadn't been loaded for Q year
or more, and Cyrus knew it. but the burglar
didn't.
The pitiful wretch stood perfectly still.
Take of your mask!' sternly commanded
Cyrus.
The burglar complied. With ashen face and
mean hang-dog look he stood there and said
her self-possession, but the baby continued TO
howl
ut would serve you right, you snsaking,
contemplate villain" said Cyrus in . deep,
tragic voice, 'if should shoot You where you
stand believe I'll do it, anyhow"
mercy! Mercy" pleaded the trembling
wretch. Its the first time I ever broke into Q
house. III never do it again. Please Let me
cts the first time you we're ever caught 81
ssfhink Of the carpet!'
"Listsn!" said Cyrus, coming close 70 the
While the fellows hands we're up Cyrus
loaded reviewers, a bowie knife, . dagger, =
slung shot, bottle Of chloroform and sand
bag.
'Your first offenss, il IT." said oyrua sFor
q novice at the business you carry . pretty
good kit Of tools. Stand up!''
The burglar obeyed
Are you man of familyf"
Yes sir; o, please"
stop your whining?"
look Of hard, stern, relentless purposs
settled on Cyrus face. He pointed the revolt
yer at the abject scoundrers head again.
"Go and take that babyi" he commandsd
"Wh-what forl"
''Never mind what forl You % and ssts
"Cyrusl" exclaimed Mr.. wintsrbotsou. in
dismay, "whst do you meant"
Il know what am about Emily. Risk up
that squallin9 infant yoa vtllaini"
The man obeysd.
Handle i carsfullyr
snow walk the Aoor With III"
For four long hours Cyrus Wintsrbsttom
held that empty revolver lsvslsd ct the heed Of
the miserable man and compelled him 10 walk
mp and down the room With The seying. squirm-
ing infant in his armA
At dsybreek The erinsins. sssvli,g villaaa
vas permitted 70 sneak away hon Ne prsmissa,
Q broken-hsarted man
His raven hair had turned grsy n 49, eas
night
II YES horrible retribution, bat wAs shau
say II was not dsssrvsd2 And thn vs lsarn,
my children, that crime sometimes bsinQ il
own punishment, and thstths vay of he trans
grsesor CONTINUES 10 be hard
Why This h Thna.
He kisssd me, Oh, how oeesni IN ~ haDSy lays q
He'd iiss unsl IA quite refuse - ~ hin k1ss ns
And looking baek through vsagy ysan sAoss
blisHful moments oes0