Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-08-27


able amusement in quizzing the Gttl'
fellow.
Two wears went by, and Sandy had be
come an institution in the house ant
office. Mr. Wilmington raised his salary
and trusted him more and more in hi:
duties, without putting temptation in hi'
way. Sandy had become devotedly at
tached to both his employer and Miss
Wilmington, and that lady often tolt
her brother that she had no fears foi
Sandy's future or any doubts of his hon
esty if put to the test. The bad intiu'
enccs of the boys former associations
had seemingly passed away.
Late one afternoon the settlement IL
u transaction about some property was
made for client who lived in the little
town where Mr.. Wilmington made his
home. The payment was i'll cash. ana
the client, a tinicky old woman, had IN
sisted upon it, and it was necessary, so
Mr.. Wilmington said, that the money be
carried home that night and locked up
until Monday morning, when it might be
delivered TO Mrs. Adams. Mr.. Whit
tington knew that he would be delayed in
town late that night So he went with
Sandy to the depot and put into his hand
Il small satchel.
Don't let that satchel out of your
sight for an instant" he said to Sandy,
as they stood for u moment alongside the
train. Remember, there's ten thousand
dollars in it. Put it in the panel. Twill
not be home until nearly morning"
Sanpy nodded in his quick way, and
boarded the train as it moved out. As
he swung himself onto the platform, u
man stepped out from behind pillar of
the station, followed him, and turned
into the next car. Something in the in
dividuals figure struck Sandy as familiar,
but the car door had closed and he had
disappeared ere the boy could look
again.
Sandy left the train at the little subur-
ban station and started off briskly for
home. Once as he sped through the
quiet street he thought he heard foot
steps behind him, but on turning he
could see nothing, for it was dark. He
attributed this idea to the fact of having
the money with him, which made him
apprehensive.
the servant, had left supper waiting. He
took the precaution to see to the fasten-
ings of the doors and windows before
sitting down to the table-alone, for
Miss Wilmington was away on visit
to New York. He put the satchel in
front of him, for he did not wish it out of
his sight until he could safely place it.
The house in which Mr. Wilmington
lived had stood for many years, and had
been owned by an old miser. In it there
had been discovered panel in the wall
of the library, closing quite deep ori-
fee. 1t had been found when the button
for an electric hell had been put in just
a little to the side. This was what Mr..
Wilmington had referred to in his part
ing injunction.
Going to the library the boy found the
spring and deposited the satchel in the
oritice. Then he breathed sigh of re-
lief. He did not fancy being burdened
with ten thousand dollars.
Try as he would that night, he could
not sleep, and two O'Clock found him
wide awake and tossing restlessly. All
sorts of uncomfortable thoughts flashed
through his mind. He wished Mr.. Whit
tington was home. Nonsense! What had
he to fear?
Hark! What was that? Sandy sat
bolt upright in bed, his heart beating
furiously. He listened, but heard moth
ing. He left the bed and stole to the
head of the staircase. His sharp ears
detected steps below, and the sound of Il
voice in monotone. Sandys blood was
up. He forgot the danger, and began
TO descend the stairs like a cat. The
sounds below ceassd. The boy crept
down to the foot of the stairs all was
dark. He took a step into the library.
In moment he felt a hand at his throat,
and before he could realize it, he was w.
ing on the floor. A lantern was flashed
in his face, and voice, which he recog-
nized at once, and which painfully
thrilled him, muttered,-
"Umph, it's Sandy. | knowed it when
| saw yer ternight. Don't holler, or I'll
shut off yer air. So yer gin us de slip,
didn't yer? Smart feller, but yer played
inter our hands this time Now, since
yer hev kim down hyar ter make us a
special visit, s'pose yer tell us how ter
git dat money ye brought wild yer. Speak
quick, cause we've got er pressin' en-
gagement in another direction arter we
leave yer"
Sandy was badly scared and made no
answer. Its all up with me now," he
thought, He was trying to gather his
wits. The men lifted him to his feet.
He glanced furitivclv ut his captors and