The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1910-03-30


thought that marriage under the
law would give him authority over his
wife In precedence TO her guardian,
But on talking the matter over we all
concluded that to bring in n clergy
man at SO critical period might give
the couple away. Indeed, they trem-
bled during the day lest the family in
the house. knowing of their presence,
might reveal 1t to their l,lrsuers.
| kept them In my room. and only
once did they get scare. A man
drove by in Il buggy, stopped, and |
heard him ask the farmer II he had
seen anything of two old men whom
he described The farmer said he had
not. and the man in the buggy drove
on.
When night came and the family In
the house had gone to bed, looked
about the house and, returning. in
formed the couple that the coast was
clear. Before leaving they both eN-
pressed their gratitude to me with
tears in their eyes. The man begged
me to go to the bridge the next day,
secure the valise and bring 1t TO my
room to keep for its owner till 1t should
be called for. | was battered by the
confidence reposed in me and made
the desired promise. With this the
Girl flung her arms around my neck
and kissed me. Then put ont The
light, and. all of us moving on tiptoe.
| led them out into the starlight. They
started OFT in Il direction away from
where we had been in the morning
Then | went upstairs to my room
not only feeling that a fine breach had
been made in the monotony OF my life,
but that | had done what could to
right a great wrong lay awake for
some time thinking of the pair pur.
suing their way through the darkness
and sincerely hoped they would be 50
far away before morning that pursuit
would avail nothing.
For my walk the next morning had
an object. | would go to the bridge.
secure the valise hidden there. bring
it to my room and keep II locked IN
my closet There is something Ease
mating In possessing such Il secret and
especially so In having treasure con-
mitted To ones keeping. wondered
what was the value of the bonds Ia
cd to make IN inventory of everything
the valise contained in order that the
should be go doubt about the exact
amount for which | was responsible
| was rather glad the young girl had
held ON To her jewels. There was Il
trihe more responsibility even In iht
bonds than would. under less inter
esting circumstances. have cared IL
take
On reaching the bridge | looked
about me and listened to make sure
no one was near to observe my move
ments, then went down and thrust
my arm back into II pocket where
had seen the mar put the vallse.
No valise WAS there.
/ confess | WAS somewhat surprised
When they left me they had moved
away from the bridge. They must
have changed their minds and return.
ed. Or had the treasure been discov-
cred?
walking up the incline when heard
voice
Hands up"
Not having been used to this order,
| was gaping around to discover where
the voice came from when II bullet.
followed quickly by Il report SANG
over my head This admonished me
as to the meaning of the words. put
my hands above my head
4 man with n drawn revolver ad-
vanced from behind tree and clap
ped pair of bandcuffs on me.
"Wil you kindly inform me. sir |
asked. what this means?'
at means that you were looking for
the swag captured before daylight yes
terday morning In the til National
bank. suppose some of your pals
have taken IT,"
DO you mean to tell me" | eX-
claimed, THAT that clipping couple were
bank robbcrs?"
Il don't know what you mean by au
clipping couple. but two cracksmen dis
guised as old men were given the plum
der. Thew aftcrward changed their
disguise t. represent a young man and
q girl"
Great heavens" | muttered to my
self. was that creature who was too
virtuous to be going about unmarried
with her lover man."
1t WAS even so. had been barbSring
two desperate criminals who had got
away with $4,000 In bank bills AS
to the girls" jewels, they were a
myth. spent several days IN the care
Of the police. but finally on proving my
responsibility | was released. The cou-
pie | had harbored were later on cap
tured with the swag on them.
| returned to the city. having had
quite enough OF my doctors method
for regainipg my health. At any rAie.
did not care to try again.