The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-04-19

tue SrOuIu WHICH LAu II NY -naeinA
ton traversed the night before.
Frank laughed. but readily agreed, as
mere lark to take the proposed walk
Before starting out each of Us armed him
self with heavy blsckthorn shillalah
two OF which had brought from the
'ould sod the year before and presented
70 my chnm-
-0n coming to the little creek, with
its clear sparkling water in the moonlight
Frank banteringly said ~WelI every
thing looks quiet enough here. old fel-
low. I guess your dream robber won't
materiaIize'
Even as he spoke thought saw an
especially dense spot in the clump Of
alders ahead and although I really had
no serious misgiving, rather impressive.
ly said: Wait for me, Frank. Don't 90 uE
the bank alone
-0h, nonsense" he replied as he pass
ed lightly on.
@He had now gained fully sixty feet
on me and was walking csrelessly past
the grove, when the black spot, upon
which my eyes were fixed, moving swift
ly toward him, and l yelled Look out
Frank
The warning came well nigh too late
as the words had barely passed my lips
when masked man, corresponding in
all respects with the one seen in ny
dream, darted from the shade, and, with
out word, struck at my friends head
with a murderous looking bludgeon
which, if the blow had alighted as intend
ed, would have crushed his skull like an
egg shell.
Frank, however, had partially turned
at my cry and instinctively raised his
own heavy cane, which, meeting and de
scending weapon, so far DETECTED iis aim
that the stroke fell upon his left should.
er, but still with such force that he vas
dashed, for the moment senseless to the
ground.
In the twinkling of an eye the assail-
ant was upon him, and, going through
his pockets with wonderful speed, IN
tending, doubtless, either to get away be-
fore Icould come up, or. if need be,
overpOwer me also. or, perhaps, if driven
TO il, to use his revolver.
$50 far my vision had been realized
with remarkable fidelity, but now happi-
II, there was a break. l was not struck
dumb and motionless as in the dream
but, on the contrary, stimulated to ex-
certional activity and while the absorb
ei villain was in the act Of cropping for
Franks watch. reached his side, and
with one blow Of my blackthorn I sent
him stunned to the ground.
Turning him on MS face, was busily
engaged tying his hands behind him
when Frank recovered from his tempora.
~ daza We then somewhat improved
upon the dream prcgrsnme by taking of
our eravats and securely binding the
scoundrel's ankles together.
"On examining Stayner's hurts found
that his left collar bone was broken and
the arm on that side quite helpless, but
otherwise be was all right. His assail-
ant had no. Jared so well-he remained
apparently lifeless
"Sayner made light Of his wounds, but
ne was unwontedly serious. old man,
said he, this is most astounding reali-
zAtion of an apparently wild and cause
less dream. How to account for j. do
not But suppose We now carry it out
as closely as possible by taking this vaga-
bond to the police station. Probably the
parallel will fail Us there. If it holds
good 1 shall be dumfounded, indeed, and
ready to believe in anything
"You know" continued Phil, shat
I'm somewhat of an athlete, so after We
had deprived the thief OF his steal
ings, and moreover ola loaded bulldog
revolver, l shouldered his not very light
weight and set of to the village, while
Stayner followed with the captured blud-
geon and pistol.
ave had nearly half mile TO walk
through the solemn stiffness Of the night
and thus several times l laid down my
load in order TO rest myself On the las;
Of these occasions the rutfian revived Just
as was reshonldering him. Finding
himselfs disarmed, impotent prisoner,
he poured forth upon Us such a voIIy Of
curses that dropped him again to the
ground, and BY the help of his own sus-
penders and wallet gagged him Effect
ually.
Then I hoisted him again as one
might 90 a sack Of wheat, and we went
on rather relieved to fni that we aad
not become involuntary executioners-
AS We plodded along We INDUCED in
many speculations as to the identity Of
the wretched creature. Bot neither OF
US seriously believed that the police were
likely to enlighten Us upon this point.
'Twculd be too wonderful for my dream
to come true in this particular also.
@JGdge then of our feelings, perhaps
more Of ave than astonishment, when
upon entering the station the man in
charge, with a single glance at our cap
tive, said
"'Well, gentlemen, you've made good
nights work, sure enough, This is the
escaped convict, Ike Berry. There's a
reward of 500 out for his capture, and
ali the police Of the State have been on
the lookoa, for him since last April.'
Frank s.syner actually shuddered as
the officer spoke. forming to me he
mustered. This is most too much for
me, Phil. It's awful. Lets 90 round to
the doctors and get my shoulder fixed
up Then to the officer: Well turn
the reward over 70 you, jim. The giory's
enough for US.
~Bat before leaving leaving We told
the whole strange story to the man,
whose running commentary ofalmost in
credulous surprise was from time to time
aceentuated by smothered curse from
the now iron shsckled prisoner"
swell, PHIL said l with Judicial grav-
", may be its rude TO ask the question
after your Introductory remarks-but
honor bright nov, Is this really an out
and-out true story you've given meT"
'Tis as true as that you and | are sit
ting here. old man. Ike Berry is now