Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-07-04

me-"
You seem to be getting over your
scare" said the man in a surIy lone,
but that's all right; won't touch you
unless you try to get away. Now,
then, so ahead, and no mOnkeying.'
wv hat do you want first" | asked
'jeWelry or silver"
Now you're talkin'," said he, APP
proyingly; well go straight for that
silver
l led the way into the dining room
and pointed silently TO the sideboard
where the accumulated treasures of
three generations shore temptingly.
The burglars eyes glittered coyet-
ouSIy.
The silver was my mothers greatest
pride. 1t had come to her through
mother and grandmother, and was the
only substantial evidence remaining to
us Of the former wealth. and impor-
lance Of her family. The care Of it was
her chief duty and It's daily display en-
the antique sideboard her greatest
pleasure. She had been warned many
times that she ought not to leave it SO
exposed day after day, but her one
answer was Uhat there was no good IN
having it il she might not use it md
see it. Now tie Nemesis of pride had
OYertaken her and as | watched the
greedy rObber hastily piling together
cohee-pot, tureens, cups, spoons, forks,
and platters, and thought of my poor
mothers wrath and sorrow when she
should learn the extent of her loss my
heart sank within me and | lOnged for
some weapon with which to strike the
wretch to the ground. Suddenly he
raised his head and listened intently.
What's that" he said. |, too, had
heard the sound and knew it was the
latch of the kitchen door and felt sure
it was Hilda making ne- way out.
Naturally, though, L did not offer this
explanation to my companion, who
after moments close attention. re-
sumed the pleasant task Of tying Up
our cherished silver in one OF our best
taDleclOthS. This done he stood for a
little while muttering and froWning as
If undecided what to DO next Finally
shaking his head he said aloud: Guess
l won't trust Jim alone with this"
Then L knew he had il pal outside and
L tremDleu with the tear that Hilda
had fallen into his hands.
Laying the bundle Of silver on the
table my burglar said to me with Il
jocular air, Now, miss, let's see some
Of that jeWelry YOU WAS talkin' about
Il bit ago. | turned to lead the way
upstairs, and aS | did 50 caught u
glimpse of Hilda's pale face III The
depths of the SidebOard mirror. She
was peering i'll through the door we
had entered her finger was pressed to
her lip and she was shaking her head
in Il very excited fashion. 1t was I'D
most cheerfully that | preceded my
ugly companion up the stairs, for l
felt sure THAT Hilda had released my
mother from her unpleasant position
and that together they We're planning
some way Of circumventing the wretch
at my heels. How angry it made me
to see him snatch UP Il pllloW-case and
empty into it everything of value
within reach. My courage and indig-
nation were rlsing in equal proportions
and l began deyising schemes Of my
own for getting rid of my thief.
Presently he looked up at me with Il
leer and said:
''Couldnt you give u poor fellow
some ready cash for present use,
MISS
| pointed to Il little Old-fashioned
chest that stood under the head of the
bed saying: You'll find some money
in that box" Forgetting all caution
he hurried to the bed, and, catching
the handle OF the chest, pulled it out
At tnat moment my mother and Hlida
glided into the room like 4 pair of
ghosts. There was 4 heavy WOODEN
shawl in my mothers hand and a look
of full determination in her eye. With
out moments hesitation she ran UP
to the STOPPING man, threw the shawl
over his head and gave jerk that
landed hun sprawling on his back.
Come quick, girl" she commanded
quietly, and help hold this wretch
While L choke him" But we had
flung ourselves upon the PROSTATE
body Of our enemy without waiting to
be told and were hanging to him like
grim death, while he kicked and
Squirmed and mother drew the shawl
tighter and tighter.
AS The fell the man uttered one yell,
which had been answered from with
out by a low whistle, and now, while
: we waged our desperate struggle with
one robber, the kitchen door was
forced open, there was one heavy step,
a scream and a crash, then silence. l
) looked at Hilda with wild questioning
in my eyes.
ITS de trap door to The cellar" she
exclaimed pantingly: i left him open
/ and de oder robber has pitched in
We had, however, little time for
! thought of anything but the wretch we
were trying to hold. He fought like a
demon, he kicked like a mule, and
though the shawl had partly bound his
arms to his sides he would have soon
! overpowdered all three of us.
, AS our captive gyrIted around the
floor vainly trying to free himself a
small flask with a sponge attached fell
from his pocket. My mother snatched
. it up.
1T is the chloroform he meant for
u.s. she said with awful calmness; III
give him some of it.
B., She struck the bottle on the edge OF
a table the neck broke off and she de-