The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-03-05


boasting OF over n Thousand Inhabitants.
Unlike many others, 1t has four roads |
which are digniiled with the name OF |
street or gate--Main street, Beck street,
Church street and Nothergate.
Down one of these narrow streets or
lanes, in low, long-fronted thatched
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-
tion. 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 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.
tion 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 to
be his oyNn 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 q sort Of cool respect, no
one venturing TO offend him through
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-
tion
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
fymi.ies had partially enfeebled his
frame, with somewhat of the activity of
his youthful days. He groped about for
the tinder-box-there were then no lu-
cifer matches--struok light, lighted q
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
10 do? The burglars were evidently en-
deavoring to burst open the door. Skel-
eton keys we're unknown TO them. Be-
sides, the door was secured with two
bolts as we'll as q lock. lie spoke to
them, attempted to dissuade them from
their wicked purpose, and, finally, told
them that he had his gun ready loaded,
and II they did not desist he would FIRE,
which would probably be the death Of
ono OF their number. His threats were
In vain and not word could he get in
rcply. 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 10 have it. He stood behind
the door, raised the gun to his shoulder,
pulled the trigger, and whizzing went
tho bullet. Now came the crisis. The
thieves had evidently provided them
solves with some kind Of battering-
ram, and in few the rickety old door,
and the door-frame also, knocking poor
Smith down beneath 1t fat on the floor,
Horror OF horrorsl The villains would
now be on him, taking vengeance for
the slaughter OF their dead oomrade. In
an agony OF despair Smith now cried
out: 'ohl take my money; but for Gods
sake spare my life" He lay on the
floor, with the door pressing heavily
upon him, anxiously dreading tho mur-
derous attack, rs 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 the 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
for II by conjecturing that they had
gone TO convey their slaughtered com.
panion TO q place Of security-perhaps
to bury him.
Mindte after minute and hour after
hour passed away, but the burglars
never again put in an appearance. Poor
Smith sat shivering in the cold, the east
wind coming In gusts at the open door
way. He dared not 10 venture out, fear
ing that the burglars mightstil be lark
ing in the neighborhood.
The long and horrible night at longth
came 10 On 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 wildhre. Men
gathered ut the corners OF the streets
and women gossiped from house TO house
10 discuss the matter; and many, with
bated breath and knowing shake oi
the head, In low tone, as II 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
cussod, and every suspicious character
beside Sam Goodman had been named
. Bob johnson required his horse, as ht