The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1912-06-21
A Robber IN
the Room

When ] was thirty-one was passing
through the western states on the
track OF speculation which promised
we'll.
My plans had led me to leave the
boat at Cincinnati, and strike about
so miles southerly into Kentucky.
found myself at the end of the day in
question in a small hotel, waiting for
my supper. l had come to this par
icular house only by accident, and GER
tainly nothing but the lateness of the
houf, the rain that was falling heavily,
and my own tired, hungry condition,
prevented my sallying forth at once in
search of better accommodations. The
house was quite apart from the rest
OF the town, and seemed to be one of
those ill-kept, unattractive inns where
traveller only goes by accident, and
where he never goes twice. | could
not discover that there was any other
guest than myself present that night.
| took my candle and carefully ex-
nAlhCu tAC 1OOuu. IL was d oLAdll,
square apartment with no furniture
save the bed, chair, and the wash
stand. l looked under the bed and
behind the stand. Nobody was there.
| spied a closet, and explored it, with
the same result. The door of the room
fastened on the inside with heavy
bolt, but to make assurance doubly
sure, | set the washstand against it
after sliding the bolt; and not yet
content, ! moved the bed around and
effectually barricaded 1t. The two
windows appeared to be about eight
feet from the ground; and these also
secured in such way that it would
be impossible to raise them from the
outside
Pretty safe, this, l think" was my
remark, as l looked around at my de-
lenses; and throwing off my coat,
drew from the breast pocket a long
leather bill book, and proceeded to
count its contents. Three thousand
three hundred dollars in notes-a large
amount to carry about ones person;
gagged demanded it.
/ placed my pocketbook beneath the
pillow and laid my pistol beside it;
then putting the candle on the stand,
| went to bed.
Usually l was a sound and ready
sleeper but | now lay wide awake, and
all the arts that | used to lull myself
to rest were unavailing. The house
was perfectly still, and there was no
noise from the street, save the steady
drip, drip of the rain, which seemed to
intensity the stiffness. ! closed my
eyes, and at the end Of ten minutes
opened them again, perfectly sleep
less.
| turned on my side; my eye was
caught by my pistols lying by the pill
low. | looked at them merely for a
change of object, and as | looked |
made discovery that sent a chill of
terror all over me. The caps had been
removed from both of them!
My heart sank within me, and a ter
ror like that Of death seized me- Some
Internal plot was on foot to destroy
me; the mysterious agency that was
to take my life might be in readiness
that instant l lay perfectly still, with
my eyes almost closed, not daring even
to turn upon my back, as l had been
lying.
1t was we'll for me that did not l
heard no step, not even a breath; but
a long. glittering knife was slowly pro-
Iected from behind me and held sus-
pended by a human hand above my
head.
l drew my breath quietly and regu-
larly-how, l know not, but | did it.
even eounterfeited slight snore.
The robber was apparently satisfied.
The knife was still poised above me;
but | felt his hand cautiously feeling
beneath my pillow. 1t seized the
pocketbook and slowly drew 1t forth.
What followed passed with almost
the speed of thought My right hand
flew to the knife and grasped 1t as l
rolled upon my back. With terrific
oath the robber started up and threw
himself upon me. He was a brawny,
villain of thrice my strength,
but there was to be no trial of that
kind between us. AS he flung him
self at my throat turned the knife up
on him; the point took him In the
breast, and his weight and impetus
drove the blade right through him.
With one spasmodic movement he
rolled off from me and tumbled dead
On the floor.
The horror of his presence, and the
of my peril had been
so suddenly forced upon me that the |
shock was too great for mel fell |
back fainting on the bed.
When l awoke broad daylight was
in at the windows Little |
by little | recalled the dreadful reali-
ties of my adventure, and persuaded |
myself that IL was not all nfphtmara |