The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1900-12-13

A NIGHTS TRAGEDY.

Years ago it was my misfortune to
witness tragedy which I hope never
again to see duplicated. The crime to
which 1 was an unexpected eyewit-
ness, happened in a farm house that
was situated few miles distant from
one of our western cities.
The sun had just dropped from sight
behind thickly studded woodland
which stood few yards to the west
of small but comfortable and we'll
built house. The house stood by the
roadside; to the eastward, just back of
the highway, was the farm of one
hundred and sixty acres of as beauti-
full level ground as one would wish to
see.
The owner of this unpretentious
building, was one Dudly Jason, we'll
to-do farmer. His hair was snow-white
and his bent form showed unmistak-
able evidence that he had passed the
allotted three-score mark. He lived
alone with his aged wife; his children,
having all grown up to manhOod's es-
tate, had chosen their affinities and
built "nests" of their own in adjoining
counties.
Near the center of the farm were
two strawstacks. Back of one of
them sat two tramplike personages
who were conversing in an audible
tone that could be plainly heard by the
writer who was resting comfortably
against the other one which was locat-
ed opposite it.
"Tom, this is an awful business" re-
marked Frank, who appeared to be the
leader. "Supposing we shouldn't Sc
cure anything; or if they should awake
and recognize us, this nights work will
cost us long term in the peniten-
tiary."
"Tut, tut, man! are you afraid ?"
"No" said Frank, with emphasis.
"Why, then, this faint-heartedness? ?"
"Tom," replied Frank, 81 have had a
presentiment that this affair will prove
disastrous"
cha! ah! you are getting childish"
"Don't sneer at me, Tom"
"Who is sneering at your"
"You are" replied Frank, who was
10y this time becoming excited.
"Well, Frank, let us drop this banter
ing and proceed to work."
Every WE'LL" said Frank; "but re-
member that forewarned you"
While the above dialogue was going
on l listened attentively and merely
conjectured as to what their purpose
might be. From occasional words
dropped here and there 1 vaguely rea-
soned that they were up to some mis-
chief.
Finally they silently left their crude
quarters and slowly walked toward the
house situated by the roadside. AS
they went they peered intently into
the semi-blackness of the night to the
north and to the south, as this was the
direction which the road took that ran
directly in front of the house. They
stopped several times on their way, no
doubt to ascertain whether any teams
were approaching, or if any lone pc
-destrians were abroad who might be
vending their way homeward after an
evenings chat with one of the nearby
neighbOrs.
They finally reached the house and
Immediately proceeded, with the assist
ance of their paraphernalia, to gain an
entrance through one of the windows.
During the meantime had cautiously
followed them, solemnly vowing to my
self that 1 would strive to Illustrate
their designs and protect the aged oc-
cupants of the building from harm.
AS peered into the room from an
opposite window from that which they
had entered, could see these two vii
lains rummaging about hastily for any
portable property which the house
might contain. Their search was bar
rem of results, as one of them began to