Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-07-24

Unlike many others, il has four roads
which are dignifed with the name Of
street or gate-Main street, Beck street,
Church street and Nethergate.
Down one Of these narrow streets or
lanes, in low. long-frontcd matched
cottage. fully two hundred Yards from
the nearest house, resided old John
Smith, the village tailor. John had
made suits for the fathers ard grand
fathers of the then present generation.
Though johns cut was not very stylish,
his services We're liz constant requisi-
ton. The greater part Of his work was
done at the houses Of his employers; his
remuneration being Is. Cd. per day and
MS food. On this scanty pittance John
had brought up large family respecta-
bly,; but they had all got married, left
their paternal home. and were busily
engaged in the great battle Of life.
Notwithstanding the poor remunera-
ton for his services. and the expense of
bringing 70 his family. john had man
aged to save over forty pounds. This
was about the beginning 81 the present
century, when so MANY banks we're fail
ing, and few were considered safe. John
therefore thought the wiser plan was to
be his own banker-though he would
lose the interest he would secure the
principal.
Smiths treasured savings caused him
many anxious hours. In the village he
heard The reports Of the daring highway
robberies and burglaries of Dunhill and
his dreaded gang. A suspicious charac-
ter, singularly misnamed Samuel Good
man, who resided in the village and
seldom did any work, was believed to be
one of the fraternity. This man was
treated with a sort OF cool respect, no
one venturing to offend him through a
fear of the consequences. Smith would
frequently lie awake for hours. devising
plans of defense should his dwelling be
attacked. For this purposc ne purchased
a gun and plentiful supply Of ammuni-
tion
One dark night shortly after Christ
mas, lying awake, be distinctly heard
heavy footsteps at his back door He
sprang out Of bed, though age and i'm
firmilies had partially enfeebled his
frame, with somewhat OF the activity of
his youthful days. lie CROPPED about for
the Undertook there were then no lu-
cifer matches struck light, lighted
candle, seized his gun and hurried down
stairs. Though the burglars in the
stiffness Of the night might distinctly
hear all Johns movements they were
not in the least daunted. What was he
to do? The burglars were evidently en-
deavoring to burst open the door. Sl1el-
eton keys were unknown to them. Be-
sides, the door was secured with two
bolts as well as lock. He spoke to
them, attempted to dissuade them from
their wicked purpose, and, finally, told
them that he had his gun ready loaded,
and if they did not desist ho would fire,
which would probably be the death Of
one of their number. His threats were
in vain ana not word could he get in
reply. Again and again did he warn
them, but all TO no purpose.
Smith now saw that al attempts at
parley We're useless. The wretches
knew he lad money. and they were de-
termined to have 10. lie stood behind
the door raised the gun 10 his shoulder,
pulled the trigger, and whining went
the bullet Now came the crisis. The
thieves had evidently provided them
selves wish some kind Of battering,
ram, and in few the rickety old door.
and the door-frame also, knocking poor
Smith down beneath It fat on the floor.
Horror Of horrorsl The villains would
now be on bin, taking vengeance for
the slaughter Of their dead comrade. In
an agony Of despair Smith now cried
out: oh! take my money; but for God :
sake spare my lifen' He lay on the
floor, with the door pressing heavily
upon him, anxiously dreading the MUIR
derous attack, as there were no means
of preventing il. He felt certain that
they would avenge the death of one OF
their number. Gasping for breath, his
hair standing on cad. and his heart
throbbing so violently tina he could
hear every beat, he awaited the dreaded
attack. lie lay for some time in an
agony of despair, but no one came near.
he peeped from under the fallen door,
but all was still as the grave, save the
violent beatings q his own heart. This
was mysterious He c~ild only account
for 1t by cOnJecturlDg that they had
gone to convey their slaughtered com
panion to place OF security perhaps
TO bury him.
Minute after minute and hour after
hour passed away. but the burglars
never again putin an appearance. Poor
Smith sat shiyering in the cold, the east
wind coming in gusts at the open door
way. He dared not to venture out, fear
ing that the burglars mightstill be lurk-
ing in the neighhorhood.
The long and horrible night at length
came to an end. and morning dawned
without any further adventure. Smith
now ventured to the village and gave
full account OF the burglarious attack.
The news spread like wildfire. Men
gathered at the corners of the streets.
and women gossiped from house to house
TO discuss the matter; and many, with
bated breath and knowing shake of
the head, in low tone, as If revealing
a profound secret, said: ''San Goodman
and his crew" Hours We're spent in