The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-01-01
:. CHESsMORE'S DREAM.

had taken passage was not uue ID tne
city till a late hour in the evening, and
asthe day had been warm and the
dong ride fatig1ling, he fell asleep soon
aster the lighting of the lamps.
~ In his sluInbers the young man
dreamed that he was standing on
bridge, gazing down at a somewhat
turbulent stream, when, hearing
startling roar, be looked up and saw
coming toward HIM towering body of
water, not unlike that which swept
away Johnstown.
Believing in his dream that if he de-
layed a single moment he would be
swept to destruction, he started and
ran across the bridge, as he supposed,
land made a desperate plunge at the end
% reach the solid earth.
; The running and plunging were real
but, instead of from bridge, it was
from the rushing car.
He landed in some bushes, whica
woke him from his dream, without
serious injury to mis- person, but 50
confused his waking senses that the
roaring of the fast receding train was
instantly converted by his fancy into
the laundering noises Of the awful
food.
!; So realistic to Nathan's mind indeed
vas all this, that, scrambling to his
feet he went on plunging through the
bushes for some distance before he was
able to comprehend the facts.
Then he stopped to consider the stu
alton and decide what course to take
'oreach the nearest railway station.
While standing thus he heard voice
calfo1t:
..Hello, Nat! are you there"
AS Nathan was often familiarly
fled ss.Nat' by friends he thought
himself addressed, though wondering
how any acquaintance could be near
him and know of his presence under
the strange circumstances.
S sAs. he was about to make some an
:swer, however, another voice called:
! s,sss' - - sss=7@'a'l----z
Tnea there was rustllng of bushes,
and. the men seemed to come together; |
then they conversed in too low tone |
or the listener to catch what further
hey said.
As men, meeting thus in the bushes, |
lnder cover of night, we're probably
ent on evil work, Nathan Chessmore
yas thankful his presence there had
tot been known to them. He waited |
Ill they were out of hearing before |
stempting to find his way out of the
hicket.
Then, while moving about in the |
ak, Ae caught the sparkle of a light
ma hill, and at once shaped his
purse toward it.
On his way to this light, he again |
card voices, and with great caution |
rev near enough to the speakers to
lerhear some of their remarks.
-'.What time is it now?' asked one.
On this there followed the sparkle of |
match, and the spy perceived three |
en- camped down together, one look
gsat a watch, another holding bot
:, and the third with hands clasped |
Ter his knees.
"Its just ten," said tue. man who
i'd che watch, in reply to the question
the man who held the bottle.
t'Then We'll have to wait another
,ur at les.sst. les.ss.,,.~Sas rejoinder. "Let
enssget to bed and into their first
sB; and then, if woke up, they'll be
odrowsy at first to be of any service !
themselves or dangerous to us.
ri think we'd better make clean |
lhg of it, Mike, and do them at once.
sad folks tell no tales, you know!"
f;Well, if it's necessary-though |
Zee of us ought to outmatch two,
ID one of 'em a girl still in her
}ns."
jsYou are sure there are only two,
2ke-Bradley and mis- daughter?"
i'There are never more than three,
1t, you know, and ! tell you I saw
& hired man leave not more'n half
!hour ago.
stAnd you're sure the two thousand
3llars are in the house?"
sThe money was paid to Bradley
hs. afternoon, and as it was too late TO
ITO bank, he'll keep it IN the house
j to-morrow-that is unless We re-
Eve him of it tonight.
"Which We must certainly do"
fssOf course; that's what we're here
r." laughed the other. ''Now I'll 60
1.-THE front door, as I've already told
Pu and rap him up; and while I keep
I'm talking there, even ii he don't let
in. you and Jake will break in on
ie other side of the house. Then
'h'll secure him and admit him. If
e girl don't interfere, we'll let her be,
dividing We find the money, and can
h off without exposure OF any kind"
f.Our masks ought to insure that"
SsProbably they will, If We are careful
Id disguise our voices
IA blade Of grass in each mouth will
sthat.'
fsBut suppose one Of US should in
hle manner be recognized" asked
one called Jake.
FsIn that case," replied Mike, "there
Suld be just one thing to do"
f'Whatis that
t'shangle both, burn down the house
Sh the bodies in it and SO completely
Yer up our tracks,"