Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-10-24
TRAPPED.

As matter OF fact, he dabbled In every
thing chemistry, photography, geology,
numismatics mechanics, mesmerlsm-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 TO every door and window on the
ground floor had hitherto afforded him Inn
munity from noctural visitors, but as he
contemplated shutting up the house for a
month or so while he sought a change Of
scene 1t behooved 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 aud proceed with his looting.
Now, Silas Bland's very latest pet" was
an improved Edison phonograph, which he
bad managed TO smuggle into the country
In defiance OF the patent rights supposed to
be held 10y an English syndicate.
Here, then. was Silas Blands opportunity
to defend his hearth and home during his
absence and that of the servants.
He invited an actor friend TO dinner one
evening, and afterward got him To deliver
certain carefully prepared sentences In q
stentorian voice aud In a most realistic
A trial showed that the effort was most
successful, and Mr. Bland soon afterward
completed his little arrangements, shat up
his house and departed on his holiday with
light heart and curiously self satisfied
smile.
Now, 1t happened that soon after Silas
Bland's 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 envtous 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
simistic judge to "ls months hard" for
some alleged trifling inaccuracy Oh the part
of Monty" as Bill atfectionately called
him.
Bill had made II a rule never to work
single handed, but this looked like safe
thing, and in any case needs must when
the devil drives" and Bill wanted money
badly.
Guarded inquiries in the neighborhood
satisfied him that the house was absolutely
unoccupied. Rumors were indeed current
that extraordinary precautions had been
taken with regard to window fastenings,
etc, but given a dark night and an unin-
habited and isolated house what true bur
glar gives thought to such trifiesi
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 d.
rectly on to the lawn and easy Of approach,
there would be no difficulty In cutting a
hole in the thick glass and undoing the
bolts or catches.
Now, by a strange coincidence, Mr.. Silas
Bland had arrived at similar conclusion
In regard to the point of attack and had
made his arrangements accordingly. So
when one dark evening Mr.. William Nc
Namara 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 bis 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 a severe shock as q
strong, hearty voice from out the darkness
broke upon his ear with the remark,
"Ha, so you've come along thenl Glad
to see you. Been expecting you for some
time. Got you covered all right with both
barrels, so take my advice and don't move.
These express bullets make u nasty hole.
Now just drop that revolver on the floor,
and ahl would your bapgr'
William thought his last hour had come
as a shot, so close was he to the spread OF
the powder, nearly blinded him. He had
made movement as IL to use his pistol,
and this was the result. He was on his
knees In an instant crying QUIT
For heaven sake, guv nor, don't shoot. I
am lamb, am. Starvation druv me to
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 an eye,
and I'll blow you into small pieces. /
shan't talk to you any more, but just you
recollect that am behind you, and that
the slightest movement means eternity for
YOU"
William realized that sooner or later in
response to that shot assistance would ap-
pear, and 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, and in a most apol-
ogetic tone he managed 30 falter:
II feel my bloomin air a-turnin gray,
sir. This 'as bin lawful night for me. l
can't hardly sit on this chair wi fright.
Won't yer let a pore bloke off this time,
siri This shant 'appen again, you bet, sir.
am on the straight after this little Bit o.
fun, tells yer Just think o. the old 'oom-
an an the kids, guv'nor"
But the gentle Williams appeals seemed
thrown away, and as footsteps were heard
approaching he resigned himself to the in
evitable.
The policeman's bullseye soon discovered
Mr. MacNamara in a most abject state OF
terror. Bearing In mind the awful result
II he moved without Instructions be yelled
to the officers, who were now In the room,
to keep their hands Off.
"'E 'ad is instructions, e 'ad," 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 to
semove him.
The policeman grinned broadly, and in
spite Of Williams protestations faced him
Ound on his feet and securely handcuffed
him.
"That's all right" one Of the men said.
1.-THE guv'Dor won't interfere just yet.
This'll bring him home sharp though"
Bring i'm 'ome, echoed Bill. II should
Jest like TO know were 'e's been for the last
'alf hour"
"Oh, Mr. Bland's in Scotland safe enough,
but expect his little machine made things
q. In, a1a - ha ttssr