The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-01-25
: A MYSTERIOUS THIEF.
How He Caused a Great Commo-
ton in q Rural Neighborhood.

The whole countryside was up in
arms. Hardly 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-go-to-
meeting turnout
To be sure, not in one case out OF ten
was It ever proved that any marauder
hao 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 MORN
ing, and in one instance whole bag of
oats had mysteriously disappeared.
Of course, none others than horse
thieves-who were known to be in the
vicinity-could have perpetrated such
deeds. The air was filed with vague
suspicion and dread. And bold-hearted
swains who ventured to make evening
calls on their sweethearts inwardly
ouaked as they drove home, leshing
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 DIR.
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
it had yet been discovered.
l woke with start at midnight. A
broad strip of light lay across my bed
from the lamp post opposite9 No, it
was moonlight! raised on my elbow
why, of course, I was at Haywood
farm, and that was Rover barking SO
savagely, and-yes, heard voices, and
scurrying feet in the hall Why, what
''Oh, quick! wake, 'em, qnick! He's
turning into the orchard"
That was Mrs. Haywood! Instantly
l grasped the esituation--horse-thi
] sprang out of bed and rushed into the
hall.
They've got your Ned. Ma heard
him step out of the barn!' cried Fan, as
she dashed past me and up to the next
floor, two steps at time.
Our Ned?" / calculated, and flying
back to my window flung open the
shutters.
The full moon was deluging the earth
with food of silvery light, in which
surrounding objects stood out almost as
distinctly as at MONDAY. Plainly
could discern man riding dark horse
among the trees in the orchard. Our
dear old Ned, who had been wintering
on the farm; the sight was maddening.
Catch him, Rover! Sic, sic!"
shouted, wildly clapping my hands and
dancing up and down in my anxiety.
Again came Mrs Haywoods voice:
''Girls, girls, tell them to hurry!
He's trying to take the colt Matthew,
] told you it wasn't safe to leave it out
over night. oh dear. dear, what keeps
those boys"
''Oh, heard it whinny!' l screamed,
joining the other distracted females
''Oh, SO do /. SO do II"
ED, Frank, they're taking the colt!'
we cried, rushing pell-mell into the
young mems apartment, where we
found Fan frantically trying to drag
them out of bed by main force.
Now we heard pa calling for a lam
tern. Down we rushed in 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.
Hes riding one horse and leading
another" she cried. "Oh. know he'll
get away! Matthew, l told you it
wasn't safe to leave that colt out And
he'd just as leave shoot as not Don't
one of you stir step till you're all to.
getherH'
Frank seized the lantern and hurried
out to investigate the barns. By this
time the hubbub had brought'to our
assistance Dutch Hans"-a man in
charge of the neighboring place-armed
with a rusty old musket and no ammu-
milton.
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 timorously followed as
far as the piazza, valiantly headed by
ma, who carried for defense an old
slipper end a candle which the wind
extinguished.
Instead of digging rowels into Ned
and galloping off at sight of our
formidable array, the desperate pur-
sued his way with unseemly leisure.
"Hallo, there! who are you, and
where arc you going?" called Ed.
The specter-like figure moved on
without vouchsafng word.
Halt! Who are you, and where are
you going" roared pa.
No answer
"Hi, eef you no speek l shooti'
shouted Hans, brandishing the musket
like club.
But even this blood-curdling threat
was received in imperturbable silence,
as man and both horses disappeared
around the bend of the road
We were relieved to learn that Ned
was safe, but ma was rather chagrined