Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-03-20

suers chasing up the stairs and into the
tower-room below me.
We're safe now, Lily" said, ''and
you must rouse yourself for | need your
help; but be careful not to touch any
wires"
Assured by my forced calmness she
pressed my hand and whispered: Dem
ole buggellers can't cotch us now, no
how" Then she gave a blood-curdling
shrek as fearful thump came from be-
low on the trap-door, raising It few
inches. The fellows had returned with
pole and were using it
Before they could strike again l had
bolted the trap, so the next blow was Of
no avail.
But they soon discovered us and yelled
they'd soon have the money and me too.
30, if my husband was not ten miles
away" cried. Then I thought of the
telephone to his factory, where he
might be on duty, though twas past
midnight
At the next flash of lightning found
and rang the instrument bell. No an
swer. l rang again.
Hurrahi my signal was returned.
Hello l called into it and strained
my ears for a reply.
''Hello." came back. "Who are you?"
Mrs. Dean. I'm in danger. Cali my
husband Hurryr'
came. The bell jingled- ''Mr. Dean Is
II - g. r.
matter?"
'I'm attacked by burglars in the
house. In a few minutes they'll have
me. Hurry
I could hear in the telephone confused
voices, but understood nothing After
an awfully long while the signal bell
sounded once more. 'We've wired the
railroad station in your village to send
help, but have no reply yet Well try
again How long can you hold out?"
Not long. Have you found my hus-
band?'
mo, but expect to. Keep up your
courager'
o. how much easier said than done.
For some time the robbers had been
silent but knew they were planning a
way to get at us. Perhaps they were
making some sort of a ladder and would
manage to force open the trap door in
the floor. In the dark without weapon,
with no strength to use one if had it,
I was helpless. Maybe they would
think of the sloping roof, and, reaching
1t, climb in through a window.
| Leaving the now silent telephone l
bade Lily come TO the window with me
and stand there on guard.
Don't be feared, missus," she whis-
pered, ''de good Lord will sabe u.s. Use
been a prayin' foh him to send down de
angel wild de big flaming sword an chop
dose buggellers' heads off,"
! The storm had cleared and the full
moon was shining brightly.
Look down the road, Lily" said,
"and let me know the instant you see
anyone coming. They may be in time,
yet; and watch the roof"
"Spec' de buggellers kin git up dar.
| missus?"
"They might" / answered
| When the villains entered from the
roof might jump out of the opposite
window, but abandon Lily couldn't;
so dismissed that idea.
All to be done, therefore, was to trust
and TO wait and-if no deliverance came
| fight to the death
| so, Lily! Can't you see a wagon COM
| fng up the road yet? Look sharp.
They telegraphed from the city to our
railway station about u.s."
Don't see muffin, missus-yes! dars
sumthin' movin' top de hill down var"
Was it help? | sprang to the window.
There was q speck way, way down the
road, apparently approaching, but SO
| far off, couldn't tell what it was
"Lilyl look from the other window"
cried, overjoyed with hope, while I
stay here" The object was coming
but strangely slow Now it was lost
In the shadow of the woods Then
saw it nearer on rise of ground and
lost it again. Nowl yes-no-my
heart sank within me. 1t was only n
stray cow.
Suddenly Lily. suppressing a scream,
called: "Dere dey is, missus. o, Lordy.
sem down de angel. quick!"
"Who? Where?" / gaspcd. "Dere by
de barn." she whispered, quivering with
| terror.
In the moonlight l plainly saw the
robbers dragging a heavy ladder toward
the house.
At that moment the telephone bell
| jingled Watch them, Lily, and
report their movements" said quickly
answering the summons. Sarah, are
| you safer" I heard in my husbands
| voice.
Eyes; Frank, yesl but the robbers are
| 1~x-,w xh1. h,r 1allar 70. rat nm 4ha
roof. Tell me what to dor
| BE brave, Sarah, I'll save you
They've started from the village bat
| we can't wait. You think the rob
bers will attack from the roof"
"Yes, they're by the front piazza,
now"
"Sarahl BE perfectly calm and follow
my directions exactly. Don't hurry. A
mistake may be fatal Have you a
light in the room?"
"Nol but the moon Is shining"
| you'll need a light. Go TO tho
switchboard and turn the key on the
upper righthand corner. Then shade
the electric lamp SO IL only shines on
the switch h-board-otherwise you'll be
seen from without"
"All right, Frank. I've done 1t. The
robbers are mounting the front piazza
| now"
| "Now, listen Sarah, and don't hurry.
They can only attempt an entrance at
the front window. Are the blinds
open?"
| "Yes, Frankl''
'Ts the glass sash open?"
"Nop
"Then raiss the sash about a foot"
'Tt's done, Frankl''
"Can you see the window SLIP"
Eyes, the moon shines on II. The
robbers are now ON the piazza roof
pulling up the ladder for the next"
"All right, Sarah, they shan't touch
you. Now attend carefully TO what /
say, and, above all, don't hurry Take
down the two wire coils hanging under
the lamp. Insert an end Of one in bind
ing post 'P' on switch-board-screw 1t
frmly-then bring 1t across the floor to
tho right-hand corner OF front window
sill-bend it--then carry II along on
top OF sill TO right hand staple on
which the blind hooks and there fasten
it'securely. DO you understand?"