The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-03-26
A Woman's Eye
For a Defensive
Position
3, SADIE olcoTT.

MY husband being away from home
a great deal and our house being tn
the country, be proposed that l keep a
pistol within reach. told him that
I would be more afraid of the pistol
than an enemy. but he said that quite
likely IL l. were cornered l would u r
prise myself. He had been a soldier
in the Spanish-American war and had
learned BY experience that under the
excitement Of battle one forgets danger.
He bought me a revolver, first show
ed me how 1t worked with empty
chambers, then filled them. We bad
an old fashioned hatrack In the ball.
with a little box on it for a hat brush.
Tom said the box would be a good
place to keep the revolver. There was
a lid to 1t with hinges. and the weapon
would be concealed there. II any one
came to the house with evil intent he
would come to the door and l could
take up the revolver before opening
it. All Of which was very fine, but l
was sure that I would never have the
nerve to shoot any one.
The thing remained In the box for
three years. I never passed 1t without
q shudder. One day a tramp came
along and asked for food. I didn't like
his looks and would have told him to
move on. but I was afraid Of him. l
gave him something to eat, and while
eating he was taking in. the situation.
When he had finished the meal, which
It was plain he didn't want, be arose
from the table and. instead of leaving.
deliberately walked upstairs.
was frightened out Of my wits.
was willing that be should take every.
thing in the house II he would only
let me alone. I heard him rummaging
upstairs and knew that he was help
ing himself to my valuablea. 1t did
not take long for my mind to be turn
ed from fear to indignation at the
mans appropriating my belongings.
There were some articles Of value
among them. but what excited my an.
ger was the thought that he would
take my engagement ring. which l had
lett Ou tuc UulCou III LILY VCNsO OuA'
Tom had given 1t to me when he was
poor. and it had cost very little money.
but l priced it far beyond anything |
had.
Listening to the man rummaging, l
became more and more indignant till
at last I got mad. not angry. but mad.
That's the only word to express my
feelings. :
Then thought a bit The man
would come down the staircase after
taking what he wanted. 1t occurred
to me that with a revolver in my hand
l would have a great advantage over
him. l lifted the lid of the box, bst
drew back. The pistol looked SO dead
~. Then I put my hand on it and
took 1t out. holding it from me.
At that. moment l heard the man in
the hall above. and l concluded that
IL l were going to save my prop
erty l had better be up and doing.
The thought Of bis going away with
my engagement ring put nerve into
me, and fixed my attention on
enough Of it for my purposee on the
revolver. but, still holding 1t away
from me. cooked it.
The living room door was hung in
such a way that when it was open I
could stand In the angle it made with
the wall and through the space left
between door and wall e up the stair.
case and be largely protected. ] ran
into the living room. took up, a posi-
uon behind my improvised fortress
and put the muzzle Of the revolver
through the opening. When the man
appeared at the head Of the stairs !
thought l IA going to faint. but the
sight Of a lot Of my things hs had in
his hands and his bullying pockets
made me forget fright in a desire to
save them.
You Just drop those things" I called
I n an angry voice.
The man stopped and looked about
him for the person who had spoken.
[ ratified the revolver against the door.
He saw It. and q change came W
him.
Drop them!" shouted.
He dropped what he had in his hands
on the steps.
NOW empty your pockets"
He did as I directed.
"Turn them inside out"
He obeyed: .#....
Now walk out the front door"
He obeyed with alacrity. -.m.s'
By, this time I was brave as q lion
and was seized with q desire to pun
ish him. After be had passed out
through the door I followed him and
pointed the revolver at him. In my ex-
element unintentionally pulled the
trigger. He started to run.
At the moment a man In q buggy
drove BY and. hearing the shot and
seeing the man run. took after him. but
the pursued turned. pulled . pistol
and dred at his pursuer. who. being
unarmed. gave up the chase.
Tom came home before my protector
left He told Tom that I had 1rsd at
the man and missed him. I was q mar
vel Of courage. and he was sure that II
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