The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-01-17

know that ne would ind the key under
the clock, and not under my pillow.
Then 1 picked up some things that
were scattered about, turned out the
light and with an effort slowly walked
past the window to the hall, where-1
confess-I ran upstairs as fast as my
trembling legs would carry me.
This happened on a Thursday night
in October, and on the Saturday night
following the robbery took place.
was entirely alone in the house, for
my brother and his wife, taking advan-
tage of the midnight train, had gone to
the city and had not returned, owing,
as learned afterward, to their missing
the train. The upstairs servant was at
her mothers, sick, and the cook was off
visiting a friend who, treating her too
well, made it impossible for her to walk
home before the next day. Our hired
man, after bringing in the milk, had
started for his barn-room, where /
supposed he was sound asleep.
sat up in the parlor with the cat till
one o'clock, heard the train arrive, and
after vainly waiting for the sound of
the village hack bringing my brother
home, opened the front door to listen.
o! how black the night was. Iquiclly
closed and bolted the door, and, brave
as 1 naturally was, when locked my
self in my bedroom l shivered at the
thought that the burglars might have
chosen that time to visit me.
1 couldn't sleep-only lay there hop
ing and praying they wouldn't. After
awhile l felt calmer, and thcn-just as
was losing myself in doze-down
fell on my face that awful towel, token
of danger. The thread, which I had
never failed to set, was snapped, and
the robbers, and, perhaps, murderers,
were in the house, knowing most likely
that ! was alone.
At first l was so overcome with fright
that 1 couldn't help trying to scream;
but, luckily, l only emitted a noiseless
gasp.
Alone. with burglars in the house,
with no neighbors near enough to hear
or help, l realized, perhaps too late, the
extent of my girlish folly in playing
amateur detective. Then, somehow, my
vanity and the fear of ridicule got the
upperhand. and | thought of the glory
of success the five thousand dollars re-
ward, how the papers would praise me
and print my pictures TILL flushed with
conceit, slipped out of bed and donned
my gymnasium suit which l had kept
handy for my purpose
Then | cautiously opened the peep
hole in the floor and peered through it
to the dining-room below.
For awhile | could see nothing in the
darkness: soon l heard a whispering
and stealthy footsteps and then when "A
match was struck l made out two forms
by the safe.
l held in my trembling hand the
wire leading to the trap, ready to pull
when both the rascals We're surely in
position
L had cunningly placed an obstruction
in the kcy-hole of the safe, so while
one robber attempted to open it the
other would have to stand close by him
to give light.
1t worked exactly as planned. One
fellow was on his knees trying the key,
the other burning matches and both
squarely on the trap. Now was my
time. Click! went the spring in answer
to my nervous pull and down disap-
peared my two gentlemen before either
could say Jack Robinson" / heard
| the dull splash made in the molasses,
then the trap, swinging back to its
! place, left them for the present, at
least, securely entombed.
Not even climbing one on the other
could release them. even when they had
| IL,
moralization. and rubbed the sickness
ont of their eyes.
| Now to get the assistance necessary
to complete their capture.
But-how and where. My brother,
being away just when I needed him,
upset this part of my scheme.
must go out in the black night my
self, run other and unthought-of risks
and find help.
Again the horror of my situation over
came me and ! nearly tainted.
Forcing Il courage that l will confess
/ did not feel ] stole down the back
stairs, and, thinking to rouse Michael
in the barn, softly unlocked the kitchen
outside door and looked out. A low
whistle from the shrubbery at the cor,
ner of the house turned me to ice
There was another burglar watching
from without.
had not feclloned on that. Evident,
l. he took me for one of his pals
Eoplng so. returned his whistle and
with what little strength | had left
managed to fasten the door and make
my way qlong the hall, past that awful
dining-roen to the front of the house
leaving hin! at the back. Through a
parlor window l gained the piazza
trusting to escape to the road before dis
covery and there -rln for my life.
As | was feeling for the steps my hand
touched something cold.
1t was my brothers bicycle which ]
could ride as good as he and, in my
! gymnasium dress, even better. His
safety seemed put there by Provi,
dence to be my safety. Quickly and
noiselessly lifted it on to the grass,
trusting to get it across our three-acre
lawn and out on the road before the
burglar on guard knew what was going
on. Then, unless he had a horse,
could laugh at him.
had gone over the grass and through
the trees and bushes, may be fifty feet,
when | felt that / was followed. !
stopped to listen and that signal whistle
sounded again.
SIS that you, Bill?" heard, and from
the front of the house.
Then advancing footsteps and a push
ing through the evergreen hedge told
me of my peril,