Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1910-10-28
Kidnapped
BY LOUISE B. CUMMINGS
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.


der hearted for sheriff. He lived in
a town not far from the Canadian bor-
der with his wife and children and
only accepted the position because no
one else would take it. Besides hav-
ing nothing but the house he lived in,
he needed the pitiful salary attached
to the Office.
One night a citizen Of the place was
waylaid, sandbagged and robbed. A
man named Fletcher was suspected and
arrested. Fletcher's wife went to Mrs.
wilkins with a pitiful story of her
husbands innocence and persuaded her
to beg the sheriff to let Fletcher OF.
When wilkins came home he found
Mrs. Fletcher at his house. She told
30 straight a story and begged so hard
that Wilkins. since he had no power TO
let his prisoner go free, agreed to fur
nish bail for his appearance in court
wilkins signed a bail bond for $4,000.
and Fletcher was released from Jail
Fletcher disappeared. 1t was evil
dent that it was his purpose to jump
his bail, and to pay the bond would
take all wilkins had-his home. He
heard Of Fletcher's fight few days
after it occurred, and, setting a watch
on Mrs. Fletcher, she and her hus-
band were traced to q Canadian vii
lage a dozen miles beyond the border.
Something must be done to save
what little wilkins possessed. Be-
| sides, the sheriff was very wroth at
having been tricked. He thought over
the different ways by which the crimi-
nal might be brought back and deter
mined that he would try to kidnap
him. This he preferred to using the
process Of extradition, which he con-
sidered hopeless.
Wilkins interested a friend Of his
named Parker, who agreed to help
him. Unfortunately for their plan the
village where Fletcher lived was the
heaquarters Of a troop of mounted po-
lice. To go into a town right under
the noses of these men. capture a man
protected by British law and carry
him twelve miles was a risky under
taking.
At nightfall the two men, having
hired the fastest team they could find,
crossed the st. Lawrence river by fer
ry. They agreed to pay the ferryman
good sum to be on the Canadian
bank at the time Of their return and
be ready to push Off at q moments
notice. They hired another team at q
village midway between the river and
their point Of attack. This team was
to be ready and waiting for them In
the road on their return.
Wilkins and Parker drove into the
town where Fletcher lived soon after
bedtime. Fletcher's house had beer
located. and. pulling up before the
door. wilkins alighted and knocked
Presently Fletcher in nightclothe:
opened the door. wilkins cowed hin
at the point Of a pistol, then threw his
strong arms around him and literally
carried him. kicking and struggling. t.
the wagon. With ropes ready they
bound their prisoner and were driving
off when Fletcher's wife appeared at g
window. screaming loud enough tc
wake the whole village. AS they dash
|
thrown UP and people put out theil
heads to SOC what was the matter
lights appeared. there were cries o.
, "Stop emp and presently church bel
beslp to sound an alarm that reused
the police force.
i. BY this time they had reached thu
outskirts Of the village and were clat
tering ssuthward along the turnpike
wilkins kept looking backward. blu
could see no followers until they hat
covered q mile. Then the sound O
horses hoofs ON the stones told hin
that the mounted police had started OF
their pursuit. Down came the whip OF
, the horses launches. and they nearl,
doubled their pace.
? For five miles 1t was a steady chase
Y Their team was q good one. and tn
r police were mounted on indifreren
! horses. Nevertheless the latter ha
| gained a little at every milestone
r When they drew near the village wher
: they expected to find their relay teal
r their pace was considerably Diminish
e ed. Looking ahead. there stood tn
= team ready beside the road. Thei
b pursuers were not a quarter of mil
D away. Pulling up beside the relay, the
g hustled their prisoner from one teal
( to the other and were Off before the,
r pursuers came up.
s The sergeant of police, seeing that til
d kidnapers had secured fresh horse
G sent several of his best mounts to max
J. dash for them. wilkins horse
e though fresh. had load to pull. an
this made an even race. Bullets b.
gan to whistle past them. but the
galloped on, their pursuers maintain
It ing their distance behind them. The
a bullet pierced one of the horse
It This looked as though the game we
y up, but the animal seemed goaded
e. gallop the faster.
IS Finally from rise in the grour
o the kidnapers could see the dim GU
# lines of the river. 1t was an incliI
N straight down to the ferryboat. whit