Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-12-24
Clutch-rasp-lay-ho ld-on-catch--

Clutch-Hasp-lay-h old-on-ca.ch-
seize.
This was the last line that met my
gaze. I laughed, threw the book on
the table and began to undress.
If any one enters my room tonight,
l thought, as l folded up my vest and
placed 1t under the pillow. I'll clutch
him, grasp him. lay hold on him,
catch him, seize him, and yen Tor
help"
When I went to sleep dreamt that
l was wading up a trout stream fishing
for black bass with a wad OF money
for bait and that as fast as l caught
fish I was robbed OF them by a red
headed horse.
From the number of fish l had
caught I Judge that I must have slept
two or three hours; then l found my
self suddenly awake, listening intentiy.
and anxiously snufiing the air. l was
certain of two things. Some one was
moving in the room, and smelled
horse.
1t is easy to write OF this thing now
in a spirit OF levity. but had no such
feeling as I lay there straining my
eyes TO no purpose In the inky dark
ness. but hearing that fellow move
about the room boldly. without caution.
as though it mattered nothing to him
whether ! slept or wakened.
If l move" thought. he Is ready
with his knife or club to silence me
forever"
l did not know whether or not he
had already taken the vest from under
my pillow and did not care just then
to investigate. l moved not muscle.
but when the first tumul, Of sudden
fright had subsidized l tried to think
TO reason.
Il am here for my health" thought
Now won't it be healthier to lie still
and let him take my money than to
move finger and let him take my life
what little l have? How did he get
in here' All. of course. the window
| couldn't bulge it. but he is muscular.
l should have thought OF that
What was the man doing? The
sounds he made were exactly such as
man makes in dressing. Heavens.
would he exchange clothes with me-
leaving his horsey old suit in the
room! He was at the washstand pour
ing ont withdrawing his hands. My
fright vas giving way to anger at the
cool fmpudenee of the man. Doubtless
he had en- my clothes now. including
the vest. with the wad Of bills in the
inside pocket. Coward that l was to
| lie there and lie, him take my prop
| erty.
| hesitated no longer, but sprang
from the bed and with the cry OF
Help rushed with resistless fury
slam bang against the partition over
| where thought the man stood.
Some one tried 10 open my door, then
knocked on il for admittance. Backing
toward IL so as to guard myself from an
attack by the burglar, found the bolt
aud lock and threw the door open. A
fiood OF light filed the room: the win
| dow was closed and the only persons
presen, were myself and my visitor-a
gentleman fully dressed, with lighted
lamp in his hand and trou: basket
| slung over his shoulder.
There was burglar In my room.
l began. Il couldn't see the scoundrel,
but / heard him washing his hands and
| putting on N.Y.
stopped, for saw my clothes hang
Ing where had left them.
II think you must have heard me
| washing and dressing" said the gen.
tIeman, "and l must ask you to pardon
me for disturbing you. l should have
remembered that the walls between
these rooms are very thin"
That is my burglar story. I NIGH
devise a better ending for it IL my i'm
aginative powers were equally distrib
utea, but they seem mostly to center IL
nv olfactory nerves. l could hay,
sworn that l smelled horse.
| c. II. AUGUR.