Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-08-04

rarely at home, for should Mr.. Thomas
be elected William would be his deputy.
so he consoled me for the lonely hours
/ spent by picturing the added COM
forts and pleasures of the future.
November came with clear, sting
| ing cold, and no politician ever felt
more satisfaction than when, at dawn
after election, William exclaimed:
We've wont" Blu: much of my joy
proceeded from the feeling that now
should have my husbands society
again.
There was only one thing that caused
me uneasiness. This new country was
overrun with tramps and men seeking
work and the banks in the town were
not proof against burglary; so, as our
home was very strongly built and quite
| secluded, William often brought home
| considerable sums of money for greater
safety, feeling sure no one would sus-
pect him Of having done SO. He had
several good revolveTs and no one ever
molested US. so 1 had grown accus-
toned to having the money in the
house. The sum had been steadily in
| creasing and one night William re-
marked: "A hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars is considerable money for
| a poor man 20 have n his house"
OF late L had caught in my husband s
face new expression. one of dreaming
and also look of determination. but as
he never explained his abstraction. L
did not question him.
The autumn was well advanced and
40 ba 81 q =
William and | drove rapidly home.
The wind swept down from the noun
tain with singing. icy breath. and as
we alighted at our door swirl of snow
came down upon US, so our CHEEKY sit
ting-room seemed doubly delightful in
contrast with the storm without.
William seemed to brighten under the
CHEEKY influence of hot dinner and
fragrant cigar. and as he sat in the fit
full freight looking so strong and
handsome. with his fine figure. his
glowing black eyes and bright color. I
felt a thrill of JOY that he was mine.
Suddenly he arose and coming over to
me, said:
Annie. I have an engagement with
Mr.. Thomas tonight to consult some
men about certain bonds we are TO take
up in a few days. and, although the
night is stormy. / must go back TO
town. / do not ike to leave you. dar-
ling; but you are such a brave little
woman / know you will rot be afraid.
You know | have the money for the
bonds in the house. but. as no one but
Mr.. Thomas. YOU and l know il, there
can be no danger"
felt a wave of apprehension-or
was it premOnition of evil?-sweeP
over me. ard l could only manage to
say: 'Oh. must you really go?" When
there was a tap at the door and Tillie
came in to say that an old peddler
sought shelter from the storm.
William went TO the kitchen. but
presently returned and said: Annie,
the man is old. and the night is so bad
/ have allowed him TO remain and |
think that after you see him you will
feel that it is better than to send him
on; and. too. l am sure you will feel
more secure to have a man in the
house"
Ny soul took greater alarm at the
thought of a strange man and so much
money in the house; but | tried TO hide
my cowardly feeling under cheerful!
face. William took me in his arms and
kissed me tenderly. almost too tender
" for an evenings parting. but the
memory of that kiss is with me ever.
assisted him to make ready for the
cold trip to town. as he insisted upon
walking. saying that he would be bet
ter off than in the buggy. / muffied him
we'll and as l stood on the step after he
went away it seemed that real west
ern blizzard was beginning to rage.
and when ! closed and barred the door
felt it tightening around my heart,
mingling of fear and grief.
However, l went TO the kitchen TO
look at the peddler and found little,
decrepit jew of whom no one needed
to be afraid. but | warned Title no:
to tell him we were alone and TO take
him upstairs to bed al once. Then we
piled wood upon the fire and barred
every window. and / sat down with
book to read until bedtime.
/ had been reading two or three
hours, perhaps, when l thought
heard a sound outside, but / listened
and all was still. closed my book and
went up to my room TO prepare for
bed, for my husband would probably
not return before midnight. was sur
prised to find it was not later than ten
O'Clock. for the time seemed much
longer with William away.
Suddenly I heard n sound that made
nv heart stand still. 1t was a steady
creak as though made by n saw Or
some tool, and as il seemed directly be-
low me I crept out into the hall and
strained my ears to listen Again /
heard it distinctly 1t seemed to come
from the sitting-room window, the
shutters of which were fastened by a
heavy wooden bar. went back TO my
room and stood well-nigh paralyzed
by fear: but l determined to know
what it was, so went to my window.
softly unlocked ard pushed open the
shutter so l could see down TO the
window below.
Ny worst fears were realized, for. By
the fitfui light of a lantern resting on
the snow. saw the outline Of three /
figures.
/ closed my window and my mind I
seemed to shake off its terror. as |
tried to determine what to do. Then /
the thought darted through me that |
the old peddier was an accomplish / !
went to his room and found him sleep |
ing peacefully. so felt relieved from /
the fear of an enemy within. l aroused /
him and said: For the love of God. /.
help me, There are burglars at my /