Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-02-15
A MYSTERIOUS THIEF.
How He Caused a Great Commo-
lion In q Rural Nei9hborhood.


The whole countrywide was up In
arms Hardly a week had passed the
entire spring that the neighborhood
had not been aroused by the report OF
some fresh attempt TO relieve farmer
Of his best horse and Sunday-Ro-to-
meeting turnout
To be sure, not In one case out OF ten
was II ever proved that any marauder
had been within miles OF the place; but
strange noises had been heard. Barn
doors that were distinctly remembered
to have been fastened the night before
were found wide open the next nom
ing, and In one instance a whole bag Of
oats had mysteriously disappeared
OF course, none others than horse
thieves-who were known 70 be In the
vicinity-could have perpetrated such
deeds. The air was filled with vague
suspicion and dread. And bold-hearted
SWANS who ventured TO make evening
calls on their sweethearts inwardIy
quaked as they drove home, lashing
their nags past dark and gruesome
places on the road
All the most thrilling details Fan
poured into my ears as we walked up
the road winding between the fields
from the station. And l, my senses
the while gratefully conscious Of the
soft tints of the sunset, the fragrance
OF the wild roses blooming along the
wall, the restful quiet and freshness,
atteutively listened until she reached
the impressive climax
Two weeks ago that very night Dr.
Andrews horse had been stolen; and,
though members of THE Horsethief
Detecting society" had started in pur-
suit the next morning and three Of
them were still searching, no trace of
II had yet been discovered
woke with start at midnight A
broad strip of light lay across my bed
from the lamp post opposite? No, 1t
was moonlight raised on my elbow
why, of course, was at Haywood
farm, and that was Rover barking so
savagely. and--yes, heard voices, and
scurrying feet in the hall Why, what
''Oh, quickl wake 'em, quickl He's
turning into the orchard"
That was Mrs. Haywood Instantly
grnsped the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES!
sprang out Of bed and rushed into the
hall.
They've got your Ned Ma heard
him step out of the barnl" cried Fan, as
she dashed past me and up to the next
floor, two steps at time.
Our NedP" l calculated, aud flying
back to my window flung open the
shutters
The full moon was deluging the earth
with flood of silvery light, in which
surrounding objects stood out almost us
distinctly as at MONDAY. Plainly ]
could discern man riding dark horse
among the trees in the orchard. Our
dear old Ned, who had been winteriuR
on the farm; the sight was maddening.
Catch him, Roverl Sic, sicl !
shouted, wildly clapping my hands ana
dancing up and down in my anxiety.
Again came Mrs laywood's voice:
Girls, girls, tell them to hurry!
He's trying to take the colt Matthew,
I told you it wasn't safe to leave it out
over night oh dear. dear, what keeps
those boys,"
'oh, | heard 1t whinnyl" screamed,
Joining the other distracted females.
'oh, 50 do /. so do IT,
ed, Frank, they're taking the coltv'
we cried, rushing pell-lnell into the
young mems apartment, where We
found Fan frantically trying to drag
them out of bed by main force.
Now we heard pa calliIg for a lam
tern. Down we rushed in n body,
leaving the thoroughly aroused young
men, who quickly drew on their neither
garments and followed In our wake.
Mrs. Haywood met us in the hall
wringing her hands.
lies riding one horse and leading
another" she cried. "Ub, | know he'll
get away! Matthew, ! told you it
wasn't safe to leave that colt out And
| he'd Just ns leave shoot as not. Don't
one OF you stir step till you're all to-
getherv'
Frank seized the lantern and hurried
out to investigate the barns. By this
time the hubbub had brought t. our
assistg~cc Dutch llans"-a man in
charge Of the neighboring place-armed
with rusty old musket and no ammu-
nition.
Thus reinforced they sailed forth to
meet the horsethief, who was now IN
the road in front of the house. We OF
the weaker sex timorUusly followed as
lar as the piazza, valiantly headed by
ma, who carried for defense au old
slipper and a candle which the wine
extinguished.
Instead of digging rowels into Nee
and galloping off at sight OF oul
formidable array, the desperate pur
sued his way with unseemly leisure.
Halo, there! who are you, and
where are you going2" called Ed
The specter-lilte figure moved OF
without vouchsaRng word.
Halt! Who are you, and where ar
you going" roared pa
No answer.
eli, eef you no speek shootl
shouted Hans, brandishing the muske
like club.
But even this blood-curdling threa
was received in imperturbable silence
rs man and both horses disappeare,
around the bend of the road.
We were relieved TO learn that Ne
was safe, but ma was rather chagrine
to hear that her led horse had ON close
inspection proved to be COW. How
ever, II was a suspicious circumstanc
that strange man should be drivin
a COW through that lonely district q
midnight. And his uuaccountabl
aversion to speak? We now remcn
bered that all through the uproar b