The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-05-01

some one " III lii' ApN'A-- +As-'%f
in the darkness, stumbled against some
article of furniture.
'Dave," she cried, in terrified
whisper. at the same time seizing him
by the shoulder Wake up, Dave,
there Is some one in the house"
Branscome sat up in bed, sleepily
rubbing his eyes The sound was To
peatcd and he was wide-awake in an
instant
He placed his hand over his wife's
mouth and said in 4 whisper: Lie
perfectly still, and whatever happens
do not strike light or make a sound
until l call to you"
''Oh, Dave" began his trembling
wife
Be silent" he whispered, sternly.
''and obey"
Branscome arose softly and CROPPED
his way to the corner OF the room
where he knew he would find pair of
Indian clubs. He seized one firmly and
softly entered the hall Again he heard
the sound of a footstep. He stole to
the end of the hall and listened at the
door of the room where Bridget, their
one servant. slept A heavy snore pro
claimed to him that she was within and
sound asleep. Softly descending the
Suits ne thltTCb l4At DslAAbl III ~ ~
dark and silent The storm had ceased
and the night was still, the darkness in
tense.
Bran@comc stood several minutes lis
tcniug; then came the sound again, and
tnis time he vas able to locate II in the
dining-room. directly below where he
stood. II was evident that the burglars
iclt themselves safe, knowing that the
entire parlor-fioor interviewed between
them and the Sleeping-rOoms of the
family, and they went about their work
with no little noise. Branscome heard
a chair overturned and then the clinlI of
silver.
Now Branscome was an enthusiast in
regard u antique silver. His sideboard
was laden with choice early Italian and
old English plate, which he used every
dav upon his table and never locked in
the safe at night. The thought that he
was about 10 be robbed Of these reused
him TO grim fury against the vandals
who had invaded his home TO dcsPol
him of his possessions He set his
teeth hard. graspcd the Indian club
firmly and made his way toward the
base rlcnt stairs
Th, door crealed loudly as he opened
IL and for ten or fifteen seconds there
was silence, then directly below him,
apparently approaching the foot Of the
stairs. he heard sound like muttied
footsteps.
The burglars were frightened, he
Thought, and We're about to escape.
The basement hall was cnwrapped in
inky blacl1uess. Branscome had des-
ccndcd the stairs when he heard again
an approaching sound. The miscreant
1Sra,H Raising hlS
Indian club. Branscome sprang for
ward. striking at the same time blow
that would have killed an OK.
The blow fell-On empty air, and
Branscome fell, face first, into ice-cold
water. which dripped from his single
garment rs he rose, sputtcring and
cursing and called TO Mrs Branscome
TO bring light
What Mrs. Branscome had suffered
lying silent in the darkness, expecting
any moment to hear the sound of a
struggle and the cries of the wounded,
may b. imagined. At the call OF her
husband she sprang from the bed, lit
the lamp and with trembling limbs
hurried downstairs. Bridget, too. had
been aroused, and in picturesque COM
bination Of red flannel and green plaid
shawl followed her mistress
At the head of the basement stairs
Branscome, shivering and swearing,
with streams of dirty clay-colored
water streaking his features and drip
ping from his robe dU nuit, dawned upon
them.
grieve 20 relate it, but those two
heartless women laughed long and loud
at the sight, while Branscome in Of
Tended dignity sought the seclusion of a
dry nightgown, and the spare room,
and was seen no more that night.
The heavy rain had so overtiushed
the sewer that the water had backed
mp" and laid the basement floor four
teen inches under water. The move
ncnt of this miniature flood had pro-
Ucad the sounds resembling footsteps,
I'd the overturned chairs and light
b,es, floating on the surface of the
ter, buEnping against each other and
ling ia contact with the walls had
en- mistaken for the movements of a
.Tglar.
BranscoInc likes to tell good story.
1t lac never relates this nights expert
nee, and | venture 10 say that when
I nc goes on Z stjl hunt for bur
ler he viii take Mrs. B. S advice and
.Irst strike light--Lou V. Chaplin, in
Chicago Graphic.