The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-11-30

thankful to say-but we believed our
gun fully up to the mark on any kind
of game, big or small and as for burg.
lars, we only wanted a chance to show
that it was-above all things-a man
gun. Many hours which should have
been devoted to sleep did we devote
to planning our campaigns against the
burglar we were alT'a.s expecting.
often slipping out of bed and STUN
bling around in the dark to change the
location of the gun to meet conditions
changed in our discussions.
Our room was on the second floor of
an l., and opened out on back porch
This porch was lnclosed below. but
open and surrounded by railing
above. Steps led up from the lower to
the upper floor and about midway the
lower floor opened out on to the yard.
The other members of the family
were absent from home attending an
entertainment one evening, but my
older sister was i'll, and l was left at
home with her for company. Her
room was also up stairs. and next to
the one we boys occupied. Left TO our
selves, my sister was lying down. and
| sat looking at pictures before the
open CRATE fire.
A suspicious noise finally attracted
my attention, and after listening a mo-
ment l slipped quietly out into my
room to investigate. Seeing nothing
there, and the noise continuing, | Sc
cured the gun and went out on to the
back porch. | had opened the door
very carefully. without making
sound, and when out on the porch
could distinctly hear the noise which
sounded as though it was on the lower
porch.
Holding my breath. in ringled fear
and excitement. | tiptoed to the edge
Of the porch and looked over the rail
ing. The moon was shining brightly,
making objects nearby plainly visible.
Immediately under where 1 stood
was a man. and very large one, !
thought. Calmly, yet vigorously, he
was working on the fastening of the
door that opened on to the steps lead
realized that our long looked for burg.
lar had cone.
Together with my brother. I had
planned. lOnged, hoped and looked for
his appearance for days and weeks
past, and now that lie had come. and
was so close-I could all but touch the
top of his hat with the muzzle of my
gum discovered that my feelings had
suddenly undergone radical change.
Instead Jf being delighted. / was
truly sorry. Instead of being calm
and self-pOssessed. "a | had always
felt sure | should be. was shaking
from head To foot with abject terror;
so great was my fright it positively
made Ine sick. | mlfe a desper: te
effort TO cry out. but only choked and
gnsped, making no soul1. tried TO
retreat into the house. but my legs
refused to cary me.
With the now forgotten gun in one
hand. and clnging to the banister
with the other. stood looking down
on the man as he calmly proceeded to
work at the door fastening. which
knew to be none too secure Expect
ing every minute that he would effect
an entrance. | now began earnestly 10
wish that | had left the gun in the
house where 1t would not have been so
convenient to his hand when he at
tackled me
| could not say how long | stood
thus. but know 1t seemed very long
time. The man was using some sort Of
instrument with which he worked at
the fastening of the door. twisting
aud turning it in the lock, stopping
every little while to push and gently
shake the door TO see II his efforts TO
force the lock had been successful.
Utterly unconscious OF my near pres
ence lie worked away, while
watched him In fascinated silence.
Each time he shook ana pushed the
door 1 expected 1t to open ana let him
in. but the fastenings held.
finally began to recover from the
first effects of my dreadful fright. and
10 wonder IL it was not possible for
me to shoot the man as he worked at
the door. lie was evidently real
burglar, and deserving OF the most Sc
we're punishment.
As ] seriously considered this matter
my courage increased. and | finally
concluded to attempt H. Stepping up
on the lower rail OF the banister,
leaned over aud. carefully lifting the
gun over, lowered the muzzle until II
pointed fairly down on the man, and
was only few feet from the top OF his
unconscious head. Trembling with ex-
element. ! pressed the stock 10 my
shoulder as I hung over the railing
immediately over him aud. with two
fingers on the heavy trlGecr. began TO.
pull with all my strength. Until fairly
out OF breath tugged on the trigger.
expecting every Instant TO hear the loud
report aud see the man fall dead. sud
denly cut short In his awful career OF
crime. Ceasipg my strenuous efforts
finally. and pausing 10 re- better
bold on the trigger. II suddenly oc-
CURED to me- that the reason the gun
had not gone on was the fact that In
my excitement l had forgotten to