The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1893-11-25
ADVENTURE WITH
FEMALE BURGLARS.

days work, tagged and weary, wish
ing that I were almost anything but
what I was-a doctor practicing in a
densely populated working class neigh
borhood, where the calls were plenti-
full, but the fees meagre, the said fees
having to be collected in small weekly
sums by my agent-an arrangement
which seriously lessened the sum total
of my annual income.
I was unmarried Though I may say
I am now sixty, with sons and daugh'
tiers in plenty, and therefore had no
| sympathizing ear into which I could
pour my troubles.
I was stretching out my weary limbs,
when clang went the night bell. Such
was the force used on the bell wire
that I was certain it had broken, and
therefore lay still, thinking however
much the knob of the door was manip-
uiated, I should not be disturbed
In this I was mistaken. A few mo-
ments, and I was again disturbed-al'
most startled-by the savageness OF the
ring.
I went down stairs, turned up the
gas in my surgery, and unbarred the
door. 1t was pushed open impatiently,
so impatiently that + was compelled to
| retreat, or otherwise I should have
been bruised. A lady entered, closing
the door behind her.
| She was tall, well dressed and thick
~ yelled. I could not discern her feat
| ures, but I saw through the veil a pair
of dark, flashing eyes fixed upon me.
| Without waiting for me to speak, she
said:
You have been long in coming, doc
tor. But let that pass; I want you to
accompany me at once Are you ready
to So"
was struck by the voica-it was
certainly that OF q lady, but so intense
~ charged with sorrow or anguish, !
knew not which, that its tones seemed
to curdle my blood, and a shiver ran
down ny-back, as though some one
had poured ice-cold water there
Seeing me pause, startled, she bur
riediy continued:
"You must come, sir; make your fee
as high as YOU Nka, it shall be paid.
1t is a case OF life op deathi Good
heavens, sir, she may be dying naW
while you stand there hesitating.
| Quick!!'
Without a word I returned to my
bedroom and dressed. / did not like
the case. The lady's manner perplexed
and not a little terrified me. Yet I felt
| compelled to obey. Some n was in
danger; it was my bounden duty as q
doctor to give professional service.
These thoughts flashed through my
mind as I quickly dressed. On again
reaching the surgery, I noticed the
iady's eyes fixed on the door through
which I eptered. She had evidently
never taken them of it since I made
my exit.
II am ready" I said.
you have got your instrumeltsT"
"No; will they be needed?"
IL do not know; better bring them,
sir!"
I took my case of instruments from,
the cupbt ard in which they were kept,
and placed them III my overcoat pocket.
"Allow me-" I said, but the door was
opened before I could reach it, and the
lady was standing Oh the step.
What a terrible night-or rather
morning-it wns! Neither moon no
stars were visible.
The lady walked on in. front-it was
more q trot than q walk; ] followed
wishing I had refused to come out al
ALL Turning a corner, I suddenly
observed a vehicle. It was not a car
riage; it wa-.snot 4 handsom; to this
day I don't know what to christer
that strange conveyance. It was some
thing ON four wheels, with o DARK
cloth-probably tarpaulin-thrown owe,
1t. ! noticed that the horse was black
and the driver vas mutfled up so tina
Ills face would not be recognizable
even with better light.
The lady opened the door and bad'
me enter. She sprang in, closed til,
door, and sat down opposite me with
out a word. The driver dashed tn
horse, and away We ratified over tn,
stones.
I was familiar with every street II
the district, and nearly every house
I could almost have traversed it blind
fold. But soon the district was lef
behind. On, On, we went, through til
heart Of the city; on, on, till the wheel
of the conveyance no longer rumble,
over rough stones, but glided almos
noiselessly over the country roads
I became doubly nervous as We rod
along. What did it all portend? Wher
was I being carried? A fear possesses
me that all vas not as it should be.
I was checked II. my agitated mus
tngs by the sudden Stoppage Of tn
vehicle. Where WI were I dill no
know any more than the man in til
moon, excepting that W. were in tn
country, and must be miles away fro1
my surgery. 1t WAS a mercy, at 1eas,
that we had arrived at the end Of pu
journey, ard I should find out til
object for which / had been brought 8
far from home.
The mystery was deepened, however
when, instead Of our alighting, the doc
!; Of the vehicle vas opened from tn
outside, and in stepped two men, clos
ing the DOOR behind them; then til
journey was resumed. A sudden detel
animation possessed nae to know wha
all this mystery meant. I wet IN
lips with my tongue, for they wer
dry and hot; then / said, speaking Q
clearly as I eAHld:
II have the right to know where
am being conveyed, madam, and VIII
|, the two men have entered the yehica
without nay permission"
I waited for several seconds, bg
there was nc answer. This made ~
desperate. I rose to my feet. and Wi
about to reach the handle OF the doc
that I might open # and Get out Whe
the two men sprang upon me, force