Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-10-30
TRAPPED.

Most men have a hobby, and Silas Bland
OF The Beeches, in the fair county OF Surrey,
was no exception tothe rule
As amatter Of fact, he dabbled in every
thing - chemistry, photography, geology,
numismatics, mechanics, mesmerism-all
had their attractions for him, but Of recent
years the inventions of Edison, the famous
electrician, had absorbed the greater part
OF his attention.
A complete set of electric burglar alarms
attached 10 every door and window On the
ground door had hitherto afforded him i'm
munity from Nocturnal visitors, but as he
contemplated shutting ap the house for II
month or so while he sought change Of
scene IL behooyed him TO think OF some
method OF subduing burglar who, know
ing he was in an empty and isolated house,
might defy the noisy demonstrations OF the
bells and proceed with his looting.
Now, Sius BANDS very latest pet" was
all improved Edison phonograph, which lie
mad managed to smuggla into the country
in defiance Of the patent rights supposed to
be held 10y an English syndicate,
Here, then, was Silas BANDS opportunity
TO defend his hearth and homo during his
absence and that Of the servants.
TIC luNlAFu an AGNOI lElEHu 70 Que
evening, and atterward got him to deliver
certain carefully prepared sentences in a
stentorian voice and In most realistic
style into the photograph.
A trial showed that the effort was most
successful. and Mr.. Bland soon afterwarl
completed his little arrangements, shut up
his house and departed ON his holiday with
light heart and curiously self satisfied
smile.
Now, 1t happened that soon after silas
BANDS departure, one of these poor OPP
pressed and downtrodden knights of the
jimmy" commonly known as Bill Mac,
being in the neighborhood Of The Beeches
one day ION business, cast an enyioils eye
upon the apparently deserted mansion.
William felt particularly low just then,
as his old and tried pal, Augustus Mont
gomery, had just been sentenced by pes
siinistic judge TO rs months hard for
some alleged triaing inaecuracy on the part
OF Monty as Bill atfectionsteiy called
him.
Bill had made 1t rule never 70 work
single handed, but this looked like u safe
thing, and in any case deeds must when
the devil drives, and Bill wanted money
badly.
Guarded inquiries in the neighborhood
satisfied him that the house was absolutely
unocCuped. Rumors were indeed current
that extraordinary precautions had been
taken with regard 10 window fastenings,
etc, but given dark night and an uuin-
habited aud isolated house what true bur
glar gives a thought TO such triflesY
A survey of the premises led him to the
conclusion that the library was the weak
est point OF attack. On the GROUND floor,
with double French windows leading di-
rectly on TO the lawn aud easy OF approach,
there would be no difficulty in cutting a
hole in the thick glass and undolng the
bolts or catches.
Now, by strange coincidence, Mr., Silas
Bland had arrived ut q similar conclusion
in regard TO the point vi attack aud had
made his arrangements accordingly, So
when one dark evening Mr.. William Nc
Namara had effectively used hisJdiamOnd
cutter upon the library pane, had uud0ne
with as little noise ms possible the folding
glass doors and had carefully slipped Into
the room, this was the sort of reception he
met with.
There was no fussy alarm OF bells as he
had half expected, but Us he felt his way
along the wall before displaying the light
OF his lantern, a gentle whirring sound
caught his ear which he attributed TO a
dissipated moth having followed him into
the room.
Then he received severe shock as q
strong, hearty voice from out the darkness
broke upon his ear with the remark:
''Ila, So you've come along then. Glad
10 see you. Been expecting yod for some
time. Got you covered all right with both
barrels, so take my advice and don't move.
These express bullets make nasty hole.
Now just drop that revolver on the floor,
and ahl would youi bangin
William thought his last hour had come
as a Shot, so close was lie to the spread Of
the powder, nearly blinded him. He had
made movement as II to use his pistol
and this WAS the result. He was on his
knees in an instant crying out:
For heaven sake, gliv'nor, don't shoot.
am lamb, am. starvation druS me 10
1t. Gle me in charge, but spare my life"
Above his piteous appeals the command
ing tones of the voice were heard;
Now, then, take that chair, double
quick, turn your face to the wall Dare as
much as to move an inch or wink hn eve.
and III blow you into small pieces. /
shau't talk to you any more, but Just You
recollect that am behind you, aud that
the slightest movement means eternity for
YOU
William realized that sooner or later in
response to that shot assistance would an.
pear, aud he resolved after many internal
tremors to make an appeal to the owner Of
the voice for clemency, SO, still with his
face turned to the wall, aud in most apol-
ogetic tone he managed TO falter:
II feel my blooniin air a-tulnin gray.
sir, This las bin lawful night for me. /
can't hardly sit on this chair vii fright
Won't yer let a pore bloke off this time,
siri This shant 'appen again, you BET. sir
l am on the straight after this little biz o.
fun, tells yer Just think o. the old DOM
an an the kids, guvhorp
But the gentle Williams appeals seemed
thrown away, and as footsteps were heard
approaching he resigned himself to the in
evitable.
The polieeman's bullseye soon discovered
Mr.. MacNamara in most abieet STATE OF
terror. Bearing in mind the awful result
II he moved without instructions, he yelled
TO the officers, who were now in the room,
to keep their hands of.
" r lad Va instructions, e lad" and he
wasn't going TO move till they had altered
what he felt sure TO be the deadly aim OF
that rife or had its owners permission 10
remove him.
The policeman grinned broadly, and in
spite OF Williams protestations faced him
round on his ieet and securely handeuffed
ssfph.tfs III III. 3, -