The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-11-10

In my rubber shoes MY steps were
noiSeless, and l had scarcely passed
the threshold when 1 stood rooted to
| the floor in terrified amazement.
Somebody was talking.
crept forward and listened. There
We're men in the bank vault, and a
light shone under the door.
While I listened some one said:
There's a confounded draught here.
Did you shut the door, Smith,
Yes, but the wind may have blown
it open.'
! had just time to dart under the
staircase and crouch down, when the
door Of the vault opened and a man
came out.
He crossed the entry, drew the two
heavy, noisy bolts, fastening the door
by which I had entered, and returned
without closing the vault door.
could look in by the dim light to see
two men working at the safe locks by
the stream of light thrown from dark
lantern.
There was the outline of man
bound and gagged upon the floor, but
| I could only conjecture it was Tom,
for 1 could not see distinctly.
There I was nicely Gagged, for it
would be impossible for Inc to draw
those heavy bolts without attracting
| notice. And the bank was being
robbed, that was evident. How could
I prevent it? I could not get out, l
could not reach Tom. SuddeRly re-
| membered the telegraph office on the
second floor. If 1 could summon help
from c.. 1t was only five miles.
and there was long Job for the bur-
glars before they could open the safe.
Could I creep around the staircase:
If one of those busy men turned his
head was lost. 1 softly crent out
on all fours, slowly, watchfully. and
gained the stairs. Up l darted, bless
| ing my India rubber shoes, till gained
the door of the telegraph office. All
dark there, and 1 dared not strike a
match.
I listened. and then. leaving the door
open, CROPPED my way to the we'll
known desk. and gave the signal at
c.. I could hear my own heart
throbs as I waited for the answer. 1t
came: Still working in the dark. l
sent this message:
Burglars in the Baysville Bank
vault: Watchman bound and gagged:
Can you send help:'
Again the agony and suspense OF
listening, but at last the sound reached
me:
will send help Immediately"
crept to the head Of the staircase.
afraid the clear ring of the instrument
had been heard in the vault; but no
one came upstairs. The window Of the
| telegraph Office faced the street, so
returned, bolted myself in safely, and
sat down to watch.
The town clock gave one resonant
stroke, breaking the deep silence, and
no signs of life were visible on the
long stretch of road leading to C.
| was numb with cold, wishing heart
ily that had not left Toms basket
under the staircase, thinking regret
fully of my own cosy bed, when / heard
afar off the sound Of horses feet.
No sister Anne, in Blue Boards
tower, was ever more watchful than
I was then.
Would the burglars take the alarm?
The building made a corner Of two
streets, and I saw eight mounted men
dash up the road, separate, and While
four dismounted in front, four went
| to the rear.
The burglars We're unprepared for
this flank movement. for while the
police in front were laundering at the
! main entrance. the robbers rushed to
the rear basement door, right into the
arms of the police stationed there.
I could hear the hubbub. pistol shots
fired, the shuttle of feet, cries, oaths,
and general confusion, and [ slipped
down stairs. out of the now deserted
main entrance and home.
! Everybody was abed. and went to
nv own room. had good crying spell.
and comforted my half frozen body
in double blankets, where I soon fell
| asleep.
All this was on Friday night and I
had no teaching TO do until Monday,
so l slept late; but on coming down.
found all the family prepared to make
q heroine of NE.
Il never knew until mother told ME
this morning." said Tom. that it
wasn't grandpa who sent the telegram
to c.. BY Jove. Olive. you're
spunky. if You are little. 1 gave up
when four of them pounecd upon lne
from one of the upper rooms. They
must have got in through The day and
hid there"
/ tried to make the Knights promise
ret 70 teR Ry adventure, bat esuad not.