Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-10-31

Bill had spent his all in his en-.
deavor to get his chum of, but to no
purpose, and now here he was de-.
pressed In pocket and spirits, with
out trustworthy pal to work this
likely crib" as he termed 1.-THE
Beeches" Bill had made it a rule
never TO work single-hauded. He pre.
Ierred, being naturally of a timid and
nervous disposition, to keen watch
outside, whilst his more ad venturous
companion Investigated indoors; but
this looked like a safe thing, and in
any case ''needs must when the devil
drives" and Bill wanted money badly.
Guarded inquiries in the neighbor.
mood satisfied him that the house was
absolutely unoccupied. Rumors were
Indeed current that extraordinary
precautions had been taken with re.
gard to window fastenings, ETC., but
given dark night, and an unin.
habited and isolated house. what true
burglar gives thought to such trifles?
so 1t did not take friend William
very long to make up his mind to
have try. From all accounts the
silver was OF the right sort and
slowed away in the house. A survey
OF the premises led him to the con-
cluslon that the library was the
weakest point of attack. On the
ground floor, with double French
windows leading directly on to the
lawn and easy OF approach, there
would be no difficulty in cutting a
mole In the thick glass and undoing
the bolts or catches.
Now. by strange coincidence Mr..
Silas Bland had arrived at a similar
conclusion in regard to the point of
attack, and had made his arrange
ments accordingly. So that when
one dark evening. Mr. William
Mcnamara had effectively used his
diamond cutter upon the library pane.
had undone with as little noise as
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 as he
felt his way along the wall before dis
PLAYING the light of his lantern
gentle whirring sound caught his ear,
which he attributed to a dissipated
moth having followed him into the
room. Then he received a severe
shock as strong, hearty voice from
out the darkness broke upon his ear
with the remark: "Ha, so you've
come along then! Glad to see you.
Been. expecting you for some time.
Got you covered al! right with both
barrels, SO take my advice and don't
move. These express bullets make
nasty hole. Now just drop that re-
volver on the floor, and ali! would
you? bang!"
William thought his last hour had
come as shot, so close was he to the
spread of the powder, nearly blinded
him. He had made a movement as
If to use his pistol, and this was the
result. He was on his knees in an
instant crying out, "For Hevin's
sake, guv'nor. don't shoot I am a
lamb. am. Starvation druv me to
1t. Gle me in charge, but spare my
life"
Above his piteous appeal the COM
handing tones OF the voice were
heard:
Nov, then, take that chair,
dOuble-quick, turn your face to the
wall. Dare as much as to move au
inch or wink an eye and I'll blow you
into small pieces. I sha'nt talk to
you any more, but just you recollect
that I am behind you, and that the
slightest movement means eternity
for you."
Here the voice stopped abruptly
with a sharp click, which William,
with fear and trembling, thought he
recognized as the snap of the lock
over fresh cartridge, so be remained
rigid.
Then silence reigned, though he
could still hear the whir OF that I'M
canny moth. which seemed to have
survived the rifle discharge.
William realized that sooner or
later in response to that shot assist
ance would appear, and he resolved
after many interval tremors to make
an appeal to the owner of the voice
for clemcncy. So, still with his face
turned to the wall, and in a most
apologize tone he managed to faiter:
Il feel my bloomin' 'air a turnin'
gray, sir. This as bin a lawful night
for me. can't that 'ardly set on
this chair wi fright. Won't yer let
a pore bloke off this time, sir? This
sha'n't 'appen again, you bet, sir. l
am on the straight after this little
bit o. fun, tells yer. Jest think o.
the old 'ooman and the kids, guv'nor."
No response, and that moth is still
audible in the midnight air.
"Blow that cussed insect" muttered
William. ''Don't l wish wOs i'm:
wouldn't I clear out O. this precious
sharp.
"Ain't ye got, woro. sir, for q
chap as is sorry 'e's disturbed We? I
suppose the coppers will be here in a
minute or two; won't We give us a
chance, sir?"
But the gentle Williams appeals
seemed thrown away and as foot
steps were heard approaching he re-