Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-02-19

time,' | asked myself, "unless it is
a tightening rod man or book can
vasser z"
| ran in at the front and out at
the back, and could seen nobody at
all. But from honeysuckle screen
that shaded little arbor, where we
women used to sit and sew, | heard
a deep bass voice
aCan see man ~ it asked.
"Who is that ?n I cried.
| "Don't stir STEP he's cried I;
"you will regret it all your life if
you do. I say, will you call a
man 2"
"There is none to CALL" said /.
"What curious thing that SHOULD
have been thinking about that my
self" / thought. But I continued !:
"Father has gone to the fair; |
hardly think he will be home until
late.'
"You haven't a grandmother ~
asked the voice.
Grandmother lives in Stoneville,'
said I.
aAh |" said he, "a farmland per-
haps?
ssThere is no one at home but |
and will not be for hours,' | answer
cd. eff it is a lightning rod, we
have one at every corner of the
house. If it's subscription for q
book, we are supplied with every
thing we want to read. If it's an
egg beaten
1T is not" said he. II am a
very ferocious robber and outlaw"
"Oh, gracious a tramp!' cried |.
yes said be, in the very mild
est accents. "a tramp, terrible
tramp. / have come here TO rob tie
house. I intended TO murder the
residents, but beauty always softens
the heart. l must rob you, but /
will not harm you if you will do ex,
actly what ask.
Yes, sir" said /.
| $50 into the house, shut yourself
into that long closet saw in the
kitchen don't peep out as you value
your life, and stay there until l re-
lease you. If you will do this, ]
swear by all that hold sacred not
even to brighten you but if you
look out, my aspect is so awful, my
face is so terrible, that the very sight
of it-well, in fact, you must swear
not to peep
81 swear" said /.
| / rushed into the kitchen, flew in.
to the long pantry where the flour
barrel lived, and shut the door fast.
A moment more and | heard heavy
step, the key turned in the door, and
q mans voice said:
"Don't be afraid, | will not hurt
hair of that curly head but cir
cumstances over which | have no
control, compels me to lock you in.
| am now about to sack the house
won't keep you ten minutes.
see there is a crack in the upper
part CT the door, so you won't
smother. My need, and rot my
will oblige me, lady"
l heard him cross the floor, and
perching myself on yet unopened
barrel, listened intently.
I heard big feet padding about
now in the parlor, now on the stairs
now overhead. l heard bureau
drawers pulled out and closed doors
opened and shut in the room above
and though I no longer felt any per-
sonal fear, my thoughts were sad
and self reproachful.
No doubt he was taking every.
thing valuable that he could find
all the little jewelry my mother had;
presents of her childhood, love gifts.
things we had given her on her
birthdays that big gold watch
father was so fond of though it
wouldn't go; the medal from the
agricultural fair for the biggest
pumpkin. Would he take mothers
best black silk And could he get
into the camphor chest and help
himself to furs laid by for winter !?
OF course he would get the spoons.
Then l remembered with horror,
that the money for the last hay that
had been sold was in a tin box in
the best bedroom wardrobe.
"They will feel so terribly"
thought. "If had had any spirit ]
would have fastened all the doors
and shutters and fired at him from
an upstairs window, but l just lei
him do what he chose, and how shall
| face them and tell it Z"
The moments of my incarceration
we're few, though rather more than
this unseen man had promised.
Then l heard his feet-thcy wore
shoes this time-descend the stairs
and approach the door.
Madame" he said, softly.
"Sir 2" | replied, rot to be out.
done 10 politeness.
1.-THE door is now unlocked, he
said, and heard another click. "Add
to sour iavors by iemsining in your
prison until you Gave counted FIVE
hundred"
Yes, sir" | ,eplied.
/