Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-05-01
CHAPTER Wv

6Apoul nine O'Clock Walter intimated
deslre to go to bed. The woman lt q
candle, and left the room, followed nv
waiter. She led the way up a rough
implanted staircase and opened the door
OF the room over the one in which thew
had been seated.
LOOKING around him. Walter found
Inat the chamber which he had entered
was as pare as the room below, if not
more So There was not even n he'd
stead, but in the corner there was he'd
on the floor with some ragged bedclotbes
spread over it.
That's where you're to sleen" said
the woman, pointing it out.
Goodnight" said Walter.
She put the candle on the mantelpiece,
TOT there was no bureau or table in the
room, and went out.
Ihls isn't very stylish tavern. that's
TACT" thought Walter, taking a survey
or the room. Il shall have a hard bed.
but L guess can stand it for one night"
There was something else that trou-
Dled him more than the poor accommo-
cations. The i'll looks of his host and
hostess had made strong impression
upon his mind. The particular INQUIRIES
winch they had made about his success
IN selling books, and their strong desire
Tor money, led him to feel apprehensive
of robbery. He was in the heart of the
woods, far away from assistance, and at
their mercy. What could he, boy of
fifteen, do against their combined attack?
lie would have preferred to sleep in the
woods without shelter, rather than
have placed himself in their power.
Under the infunce of this apprehen-
sion, he examined the door to see if
there was any way of locking it. But
there was neither lock nor bolt. There
had been bolt once, but there was none
now. Next he looked about the room to
see if there was any heavy article of
| furniture with which he could barricade
the door But, as has already been
said, there was neither bureau nor table
| In fact, there was absolutely no article
of furniture except a single wooden chair,
and that, of course, would be of no SER
| vice.
What shall l do?" thought Walter.
THAT man can enter the room when
am asleep, and rob me of all my money"
| Looking about the room, he noticed a
| closet, the door of which was bolted on
the outside Withdrawing the bolt he
opened the door and looked in. 1t was
nearly empty, containing only few
articles of little or no value. A plan of
| operations rapidly suggested itself to Wal
| ter in case the room should be entered
while he was asleep. In pursuance of
| this plan he threw a few pennies upon
the floor of the closet, and then closed
| the door again. Next he drew from his
pocketbook all the money it contained
except a single fve-dollar bill. The bank
| notes thus removed amounted to fifty
| five dollars He then drew off his stock
| ings. and laying the bills in the bottom,
again put them on.
Walters feelings, as he lay on his
| hard bed on the floor, were far from
| pleasant He was not sure that an at
| tempt would be made to rob him. but the
probability seemed so great that he could
not compose himself to sleep. Suspense
was so painful that he almost wished that
lack would come up if he intended to-.
He was tired, but his mental anxiety tri-
umphed over his bodily fatigue, and he
| tossed about restlessly.
| II was ABOUT niue u ClOCh WHICH hV "SAAI
to bed. Two hours passed, and still there
were no signs of the unprecedented lnVa-
sion. But, five minutes later, s heavy
step was heard upon the staircase, which
creaked beneath the weight of the man
ascending. Jack tried to come up softly,
but it creaked nevertheless.
Walters heart beat quick, as he heard
the steps approaching nearer and nearer.
It was certainly a trying moment, that
might have tested the courage OF one old
| or than our hero. Presently the door
onened softly. and Jack advanced stealth
ilv into the chamber, carrying candle
which. however, was unlighted. lie recK-
orod unon finding Walter undressed, and
| bic clothes hanging over the chair; but
tho faint light that entered through the
window showed him that his intended vic
~, had not removed his clothing.
The robber paused moment, and then,
m+ooninp over. inserted his hand into
Walters picket. lie drew out the pocA-
athook Walter making no sign OF being
aware of what was going on.
eve got it, muttered Jack, with sat
;sfoction. and stealthily retraced his steps
70 the door. He went out carefully CLOS
inc it after him, and again the steps
creaked beneath his weight.
"I'm afraid he'll come back wnen ne
finds how little there is in it, thought
walter. IF so. l must trust TO my
plan"
Tho door was soon again thrown open.
and Jack strobe in, bearing IN MS manu- :,
a candle, this time lighted. He advanced
n the bed, and, bending over SHOOK
Walter vigorously.
"What's the matter?" asked our nero
This time opening his eyes, and assuming
look of surprise. rs it time TO se'
up?"
ats time for you to get up. I've got
something to say to you"
"Well." said Walter, sitting up IN oeu'
"I'm ready" -, bod
Walter put his hand in his pocket
at was in my pocketbook,' ne salu ;
''but it's gone. "a Iock
| oroducing it.