Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1893-12-21

block stood the bank building,with
great iron bars across its windows,
and standing dark and gloomy in
the night. It's vaults held a rich
store of gold and silver; the savings
of all the little city were represent
there and their loss would mean
ruin to hundred homes.
"Listenw Again he heard the
faint "cling-a-ling" of steel on steel,
and hesitating no longer, he drew
his revolver and FASTENED across
the street. With noiseless tread he
approached the front and glanced
swiftly around, Nothing could be
seen there, and he hurried to the
back of the bank. The door had
been wrenched open and now stood
ajar, and faint light was visible
on the inside. The outer vault door
of the bank was open and two or
three dark forms were crouched in
the opening and were OF work on
the inside door with tools of tenn
pered steel. The brave heart of the
night Waterman gave great bound
at the sight, and in his haste he
failed to see the man who stood on
guard just behind the door. Clutch
Ing his revolver in his hand he
bounded up the steps and pushed
open the door.
Throw up your hands, "he cried,
you're my prisoners"
The men at the vault door wheel
ed around and dropped their tools,
but the guard at the door stood with
his weapon leveled at the watch
mans heart. There was a brief
struggle, the report of a pistol, fol-
lowed by a heavy fall, and then all
was quiet again. While through
the half open door men could be
heard breathing as though they
had just passed through a mortal
struggle. One, two hours passed
and three forms emerged from the
bank and sped swiftly away, look
ing back fearfully from time to
time as though some awful thing
was following them from the dark
bank building. In their hands
they carried sacks which contained
the spoils of the robbery.
Il wonder why Jim doesn't come"
she said anXiously, Peering out of
the window in the dim light OF the
early morning. Its quarter of
six, aud he ought to have been
home Il quarter Of an hour ago;
and he didn't come home to sup
per either, the things are all just as
left them last night. He never
went without his supper before, but
then when he left last night be
told me to be sure and not worry
about him, as there was no danger.
Phi wait until he comes before |
wake the children up and give them
their presents" Then she went to
the front door and shading her eyes
with her hand, gazed down the
street to see if she could see him
coming, 1t was a little lighter now,
and away down by the city bank
building she saw group Of men
standing. and while she looked she
saw one of them turn and point to-
wards her excitedly. Her heart
gave a great bound of fear, and
catching up shawl from the rack
by the door she drew it over her
head and sped away down the
street.
81 hope nothing has happened
to Jim" she kept saying over and
over as she ran. As she nearcd the
bank the men drew aside to the
right and left in dismay, but one
stood in her way and said:
"Don't go in there Mrs. Bond,
please don't"
"Yes, but l will, whers's my hus-
band?' And pushing the man to
one side she hurried into the bank.
A group of men were gathered
around a dark form on the floor.
while the vault doors stood wide
open aud the papers were strewed
broad cast. The night Waterman