The National tribune., 1892-08-11

the power of much resistance but there ar
times when my mind and will are large enough
for q giantess.
"'The box is not yours remarked quietly
"'The contents are mine he replied
| "tMy husband did not so inform me- re
turned.
Nevertheless, it is So he rejoined. The
property in that box was stolen from me il
Richmond
"'Why, then, have you not adopted some
lawful measures to recover its possession?
| First, because l did not know where il
was concealed; aud, second, because in thi:
State there are now no courts of justice III
| operation
go But there is military authority I retorted
ayes, and that should have invoked bad
/ known the truth in time
"'You knew it before my husbands depart.
ure' insisted.
! "'Yes. but was then willing to forego an
investigation. 1t would save timc of which
| had lost too much already.
"'Oh! then you proposed to employ forcee
| am prepared to use force if necessary,
he answered. But no honest man will at.
tempt to keep what rightfully belongs to an
other
"'He will not if fully satisfied, replied.
| But my husband would yield nothing in
dispute without the most incontestable eyi.
.dence'
1T was for that reason / took passage with
| him. he answered. Il was resolved to recover
my property, regardless of consequences. l
have not yet changed my determination
1.-The tone of voice in which these words
| were uttered was firm and positive. The look
| with which he regarded me during their utter
| ance was bold and diabolical.
al Had the box remained detached like the
other baggage he continued i should have
carried it away at some intermediate station.
But the precaution of your husband, who had
chained it to his coach, made it necessary to
draw Inch pin and insure an accident
"In the meanwhile, by closely observing
my countenance, he perceived that, though
physically frail, / was not without confidence
of some sort, perhaps the assurance that he
could not discover the box in its place of con-
cealment.a
"In the belief that he could only succeed
through terror, he fixed his eyes upon me for
moment. and said in slow, decisive tone: 1t
is evident that must resort to Eost unpleas
ant measures
" He waited another moment, AS an auction
eer fingers over bid. and then stepped toward
me, with oustretched hand, as if about to seize
me.
Quick as flash sprang to my feet. and
drawing a small pistol from pocket concealed
in the folds of my dress, presented it directly
at his head.
"Another STEP cried, and ] will shoot
" was embcldened TO this by the knowledge
of the fact that the villain was unarmed. At
that time no person, except soldier was al
lowed to enter or leave the village with muir.
derous weapon Of any character.
had learned how to use pistol, and be.
lieved myself capable of personal protection.
Up TO that moment the ruder passenger had
not in any way interfered. after his unsuc-
ccssfnl search for the box. he had been stand.
ing at the door between the rooms. ready to
execute any further order of his superior.
sit was not until drew my pistol that he
acted of his own volition. He seized my arm
before the threat was complete, and turned the
muzzle toward the ceiling
q" had for the moment forgotten his pres
ence. 1nvoluntarily my finger pressed the
trigger and the weapon was discharged But
my aim was lost, aud the bullet intended for
the head OF the potter passenger PASSED through
the ear Of his companion.
at was not dangerous wound. though it
caused a singing pain and the loss Of some
blood. But it SO enraged the ruffian, that he
drew a clasp knife from his sleeve and aimed
a blow at my breast.
Unable to liberate myself from his grasp
or to avoid the blow by any change of position,
j struck him suddenly in the face with my en-
broidery. and SO blinded him that he lost his
aim, and the point of the blade was buried and
broken in the back of the chair had occupied.
"a Hold = cried the leader, in tone of
authority. First dsarm her and then give
me your assistance | have discovered the
hiding place
1.-The truth was. had been sitting all
through the parley directly over the trap
door. which was effectually concealed by the
skirt of my dress. The movement necessary
for my protection had left the trap door ex-
posed, and the quick eye of the ruffisn had
made the discovery.
"When the box was found, both villains
exerted themselves to secure its removal before
the return of my husband But the man in. the
cellar found it much heavier than he aDtici-
pated. He managed. however. with some diff
Guilty. to lift it from round to round of the
ladder until half the distance was surmounted.
Meanwhile the anxiety of the man at the
top of the ladder had increased to impotence.
He spoke angrily to his companion, and urged
him to greater exertions. but perceiving that
no could not readily succeed without assistance,
he leaned forward with one hand, and reached
down with the other to grasp the box.
Trembling with excitement, / witnessed
their progress.
Suddenly the man at the top of the ladder
reached down to draw up the box. Instantly
/ sprang forward, and slipping my hands
underneath his insteps, lifted his feet from the
floor and plunged him headlong into the cellar.
Having secured the trap-door, recovered
my composure in measure, and went to the
door and looked out toward the village.
u
and soon after the voice Of my husband, who
viii finish this narrative"
1t is not the first time sir, that we have
told this story together" continued the stranger
" but never could prevail upon my wife to
add another word. Having secured another
vehicle, hastened back to my cottage, with
Mr.. Colquit as passenger, and file of SOL
diers as escort
II drove directly to the front room, in which
had left my passengers. The door stood wide
open and the room was unoccupied. There was
not sign of life visible in any direction.
Filled with apprehension for the safety of my
wife, l lcaped from the coach and rushed
through the room to the door of the Kitchen
when opened the door was not Mortified.
as began to fear / should be, but surprised
and delighted instead for not only was my wife
SAFE but quiet and self possessed. had left her
sitting over the trap-door, and / found her
precisely in the same position.
90 Lucinda, my DEAR inquired eagerly, is
the box safe?'
So Perfectly she answered.
"'Thank God / exclaimed.
"'And the passengers?'
"They were rude and insolent," she replied,
"and could not endure their presence
"'Unfortunate exclaimed Mr.. C0lquit,
who had followed me into the kitchen.
ait is indeed replied.
You will find them there she then said,
pointing to the trap.door.
90 L., l,,., r II