Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-03-03
Netherton is one of the largest vii.

Netherton is one Of the largest vii
lagos of the East Riding of Yorkshire,
boasting of over a thousand inhabitants.
Unlike many others, it 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 q low, long-fronted matched
cottage, fully two hundred yards from
the nearest house, resided old John
Smith, the village tailor. John had
made suits for the fathers and grand
fathers of the then present generation.
Though Johns cut was not very stylish,
his services were in 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
his food. On this scanty pittanoe John
had brought up a 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 up his family, John had man
aged to save over forty pounds. This
was about the beginning OF the present
century, when so many banks were fail
ing, and few were considered safe. John
therefore thought the wiser plan was tc
be his own banker-though he would
lose the interest he would secure tho
principal.
Smiths treasured savings caused him
many anxious hours. In the village he
heard the reports of the daring highway
robberies and burglaries Of Dunhll 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 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 purpose he purchased
gun and plentiful supply OF ammuni-
ton
One dark night, shortly after Christ
mas, lying awake, he distinctly heard
heavy footsteps at his back door. He
sprang out of bed, though age and In
tirmi.ies had partially enfeeb1ed his
frame, with somewhat Of the activity of
his youthful days. He CROPPED about for
the -box-there were then no lu-
offer 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. Skel-
eton keys were unknown to them. Be-
sides, tho door was secured with two
bolts as we'll as a lock. He spoke to
them, att lpted to dtssuade them FROM
their wicked purpose, and, finally, told
them that he had his gun ready loaded,
and if they did not desist he would fire,
which would probably be the death of
one of their number. III, threats were
in vain and not a word could he got IN
reply. Again and again did he warn
them, but all to no purpose.
Smith now saw that all attempts at
parley were useless. The wretches
knew he had money, and they were de-
termined to have it. He stood behind
the door, raised the gun to his shoulder,
pulled the trigger, and whizzing went
the bullet. Now came the crisis. The
thieves had evidently provided them
selves with some kind of q battering-
ram, and in flew the rickety old door,
and the door-frame also. knocking poor
Smith down beneath it fat on the floor.
Horror of horrors! Tho villains would
now DO on him, 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 s
sake s, 70 my life!'' 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 it. He felt certain that
they would avenge the death Of one of
their number. Gasping for breath, his
hair standing on end, and his heart
throbbing so violently that he could
hear every beat, he awaited tho dreaded
attack. He 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 of his own heart. This
was mysterious. He could only account
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
ilSNSL aS oAA Puo III SSA oPpSaAoASOs OOI
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 might still be lurk-
ing in the neighborhood.
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 q
full account Of the burglarious attack.
The news spread like wildfre. 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 a low tone, as If revealing
profound secret, said: "Sam Goodman
and his crew." Hours were spent in
idle conjecture, every gossip being anx-
ious to PROFOUND some new suggestion.
| After the matter had been fully dis
cussed, and every suspicious character
| h,I