The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1891-08-20

I
large sum Of money !. was late one rsv
cold, winter afternoon. and threr 'ened I
storm. vhsn the busiaess vas 6ually set
tied; but Mr. Allen decided TO start for
bone, although urged BY Mrs. Hayes "a
rsmsin over night Oae Of tbs younger
sons OF Mrs. Haynes accompanied him
four u 6ve miles on bis houewsrd route
jos, sfier leaving toe old gentleman. aud
at one OF the lonelisst spo,s 10 the dssolate
mountsin road the lad noticed Just ahead
two strangers so closely engaged 10 con
yersation as 10 have been unaware OF bis
approach. Strsngers we're rare In that 10
cality ;snd.as the lad was wesry.bo decided
to ascertain II possible. their business IN
that dreary place at 80 late 40 hour. SO,
dropping behind the bushes that skirted
the roadside. be worked his way cautious
ly along until within hearing distance.
when, TO bis consternstion, he discovered
that they were burgla planning the rob-
berry Of Mr.. Aliens house that very night.
Confouod the luckl the younger was
saying II we'd known Of II . few hours
sooner, We might have overloaded old
money bags on the way. He can't have
much the start Of rs.
Just % well as Ills; answered the other.
Hes sort Of king in this locality; owns ell
the lsnd Leresbouts. and IL he hadn't turn
ed up at just such time tonight. the vii.
lage would have turned out 10 . man aud
been onour track longbeiore we'd have bad
time to have gained cover. As II is, We
shall have till morning.
Shall you began the first.
Yes. If there's any alarm, doegedly in-
interrupted the other, glsncing suspicious
ly along the road. ss be did so. ~ il W
gue presentiment Of impending failure in
his projected villsiny fssh.d d suddenly
over him. But there'l be DO need; the
house is q mile from any other. and oil the
family away but the old fellow and his
wife and . servant who sleeps 10 the attic
aud won't know . breath till morning.
There is shed window that will give US
easy entrance, but come onl It's dark
enough now for anything, and stormy
enough. too, for that matter. We must
bs we'll clear VI here with our booty by
midnight
The rain was now porting in torrents,
but the terrified boy did not dare TO move
till their voices died away 10 the distance
Then sprngiug to bis feet. be sped like
dart toward home, bursting in upon the
family completely breatbless.
Mother, he said, as soon ss he could
speak, what time is it?
Eight o'clock. but what's the matter,
Henry'
Two men are going 10 rob Mr.. Aliens
house before midnight, and kill the folks
il they can't get the money any other way
cried the boy.
In . few words Mrs. Haynes lear ID the
particulars.
Run, Will. she said, turning 10 an old
or lad, aud collect the neighbors % quick
ly ss possible.
All the men 10 the vicinity responded vt
onoe II was an anxious and excited crowd
Ior the old gentleman had been friend
10 direst need to mauy another one OF
their mum Der than Mrs Haynes and her
'amily. Not moment was lost 10 insction
While the men sought and hsrnessed the
most available horses and provided Ian,
erns, s,evsiy possible means OF svertiug the
iisasler WAS thoroughly discussed, bat to
40 purpose. Every one WAS obliged(to ad
nit the utter imposibility. in the binding
storm aud ibslense darkness OF reaching
Mr.. Aliens until long after midnight.
Their only course WAS to push on - rapid
, ~ possible iD the hope that the williams
night also be delayed by the Same means.
10 the party vas leaving the house. Mrs.
Hay nes. still unwilling toabAndon ell hope ,
Il sessonsble relief 10 the doomed family
,slled to au Iudisn boy who chauced to be
q the crowd.
Jocky, the said. il 10 hardly five miles
'ver the mountain. sod yoa hnov every
tep Of the way. I'll give yoa Atty dollars
you'll reach Mr.. Aliens BY ten O'Clock ,
But the boy only shook bis head aud
urned awsy. He knew we'll that any one /
rho yeptured ou the mountain that night
lid so II the peril al bis lila
Mrs. Haynes turned sadly from the door.
ray. her lips. - she did so. framing the
sords Can, anything get over that moun
ain tonight.
Beusiy. msmms! C.n't Beauty go9cried
liice. limpiog TO her mothers side. her
ace sglov With childish enthusiasm. He
sn sse in The ds,k You know he came
om ths, v.y. and have had - keep him
n the house ever since Tor fear be would
nd bis way bacs.
Mp. Haynes. without 9 word moved TO ,
deck 10 the room on which lay pencil |
nd psptr. There vas hope, slight IA. be /
ure, but still hope. 10 the cbild's sug. ,
estion. hastily pennine = rote. she fss, /
sned It securely TO s,fong cord around Z
be kiltea's beek. aud. Tor the q ret time
ince his return si.h Alice from her ~ I'm /
r.ble visit. opened tho door upon hi IN. c
viih one bound. be vas iost 10 the srr. Z
ounding dsfkoess. .
Mr.. Allen. seli nigh stranded by the VIC G
'pee Of the storm did 40, reach home IN q
i 90 late, thst bis wife. bad become ~ q
rmrd sad hsi sent Tor one OF the fsrs Z
snds With vew Of instiirting q ssarcb,
Mt si tbs ,aneture the welcome sound
I his wheels vss heard.
Martin. be mii. -. soskisg vet be'll