Year: 1872

|
ready in the room and third ruffian
was in the act of crawling through the
window. Involuntarily she elutched the
pocket which contained the money,
thinking meanwhile how she could pro-
tect herself and it. Alas she had moth
ing but her own weak hands with which
to fight the battle, and she we'll knew
how powerless they were compared. with
the strength of the enemy.


What do you want here % she asked
in faltering voice


1--WE want the five thousand dollars
which you have in keeping for your hus-
band" said one of them.


They knew then that she had it in
her possession.


''You can't get no money from me, %
she said decisively. Il have no money"


"a pretty little fb," he responded
with laugh. 1--WE will just look into
your pockets and see


In her eagerness to preserve her treas
ure she clutched the pockets of her dress
in both hands, thus unconsciously be-
traying its whereabouts.


She turned pale when the knowledge
of her thoughtlessness was revealed to
her.


"You can't have it (. you shan't have
it, she cried, knowing all the while
that they would have it in spite of her.


"We will see'' exclaimed one of the
men grabbing her in his arms.


She struggled desperately, but was
soon overpowered and the money taken
from her.


Then, womanlike, she began to cry.


''Let US 60 now,' said one of the rob-
bers. "You take the spondulix and gilt
and will fix her long tongue in a way
that it will remain quiet for an hour at
least"


Don't be in a hurry" put in another,
Il am darnation hungry, and we can
just as we'll take bite here as not


The others demurred, but he continued,
"Set to work, you old gal, and get US
some supper. You've got a fire and
some boiling water, and we want cup
of tea. To work, say!''


Mrs. Jacobs knew that refusal would
only subject her to more Indignation,
and she arose TO do their bidding.


She put some more plates on the ta-
BILE, along with such food as she had
cooked. and then proceeded to make the
tea, wondering all the while if there was
any way to regain possession of the mon
ey, and dreading her husbands anger
and dismay on his return should she fail
to do so.


As she took the tea canister from the
pantry shelf she caught sight of a bottle
labelled arsenic Her husband had pur-
chased it on the previous day, in order
to destroy the rats which were becoming
troublesome, but as yet he had used no
portion of it.


Here was chance of relief and she
seized it eagerly. Opening the bottle
she put few grains into the teapot
along with the tea, of which she gave
good measure, in order to destroy the
taste of the arsenic.


A few hours later the robbers were
sitting at the table, unconsciously sip
ping their death.


They may kill me, d" mused the faith
full woman, ''but the money will be found
and my husbands honor saved


After few minutes, one by one the
robbers complained of being sick.


Il verify believe the jade has poison
ed u.s." said one, and the next moment
he fell with deep groan to the floor.


Il know that she has poisoned us,
cried another, land her own life shall
pay the forfeit


He sprang from his seat and started
towards her, revolver in hand, but fel
ere he had reached her.
Jane" exclaimed the third, 'yol
have saved the money, but you hav'
murdered me -


How strangely familiar sounded tn
voice! Forgetting all her old fear il
, the new, Mrs. Jacobs sprang forward
and knelt by the side of the dying man
. None tried to harm her now, for al
were powerless to do so.
o She pulled the disguise, hideous ne
gro face, with large grinning mouth
: from the face of the last speaker. On
look-then came a scream which echoe
: through the house like peal of thunder
o The dying man was her own husband
- But little more remains to be told {
, the sad story. The money was pr,
- served but the heroic woman is man
ac, raving in southern asylum over Il


murder of her husband, imagining tn;
# her hands are dyed red with his bloo
to Maria said lady to colored char


ber-maid, '.that's the third silk Dire
e. you have worn since you came to m,
ng pray how many do you own p ''On
at seven, missis; but Is savin' my wag
as to buy anoder.' ''Seven! what use a


L.