Year: 1870

he removed my watch AID the key Of the
safe. He stood SO long looking at me that
felt impelled to open my eyes suddenly
upon him. As he walked softly towards
the safe, I did partly open them, and eau.
tiously watched him through my eye.
lashes. I heard him fumbling with the
lock, and once he looked over toward the
bed. My eyes we're open, but l closed
them in time not to be detected. Watch.
ing him stealthily, I saw him open the
door Of the safe, 70 hack to.she stand 70,
the candle, and return to. the safe, which
he entered leaving the key iu the lock.
Here was the opportunity for which
had watched. sprang lightly from the
bed, with one bound reached the safe,
dashed the door to, turned the key, and
with one loud shrek fell PROSTATE and
sense less on the floor of the dark room.
How long lay upon the floor, I do not
know-probably for a few minutes only
but as I was unconscious, it seemed
when 1 came to myself, as if the interval
had been long one. I was aroused by
his blows upon the iron door, aud found
myself weak after the long nervous ten
sion, but still calm. l remember the sat.
isfaction with which l thought, while lay
there before rising, that he could not es-
cape, mingled with vague aud foolish
dread that he might in his rage burn the
valuable contents Of the safe. He pound.
ed desperately on the door, and swore fear
fully at finding himself caught. But as
took no notice of his outcries, he soon
grew quiet.


Presently I rose, and lighting candle.
dressed myself with all possible haste aud
trembling fingers, turning often to look at
the safe, from under the closed door Of
which l more than half expected to see
blood trickling-why l cannot tell, except
that my mind was full of images of horror
l was soon in readiness. had no means
of ascertaining the time, as he had my
watch in his pocket, and there was 20 clock
in the room. Taking the candle, hasten.
cd to arouse Dinah, who, as l shook her,
slowly opened her eyes; and with scarcely
any more THAI her usual slowuess pro.
uounced her formula: "Well, Miss Lille,
what shall I fy-Lord a massa! what's de
matter wild dc chile? You amt seen a
ghost-have you, honey"


"No, Diuah but I've seen something
worse than ghost. I've caught robber
aud he's in the safe. What time is it?'
and looking at the clock, that ticked slow
ly and deliberatcly-as how could Dinah's 8
clock help doing-?-I saw to my great re-
lief that it was nearly midnight.


We had scarcely got down stairs when
/ heard the sound of wheels. "A moment
more, and my husband was in my arms,
listening with amazement to a rapid mar
rative of my singular adventure. l would
not suffer him to open the safe until Silas
had summoned assistance from the neigh
boring houses. l feared that my despe.
rate prisoner might still escape. When
the safe was opened, there sat my burglar
on the trunk, haK stupefed for want of
air, a knife in one hand, the package of
money in the other, and the burned out
candle at his feet. He was recognised as
au old offender, who had not long been out
Of State prison, to which, in the course. of
law, he was soon sent back for term of
years, which, l devoutly hope, may last as
long as he lives; for confess l should not
feel easy to hear that he was again at large.
The look of rage he gave when coming out
of the safe will not soon be obliterated from
my memory.


My husband, I need hardly say, was
greatly pleased with my safe investment,
and complmented me highly on the cour.
age and coolness which had doubtless
saved my, life as well as our money. The
love and pride with which he regarded me,
and with which he always. to this day, re-
hearscs my plot, were Of themselves suf-
ficient compensation for the horror and
agony of that long summer night. .~.