Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1877 — A NERVOUS HERO. [ARTICLE]

A NERVOUS HERO.

Haw Ha Trapped a Burglar. 11M i nervous num; there isno disgrace in that, and there's no denying the fact, which 1 honestly admit I am a very nervous man. I don’t think lam a coward; at least this confession migfit prove there is no moral cowardice about me, and, after all, that is the right sort of courage in the long run. However, no moral influence strengthened these nerves of mine, which caused me more suffering than anyone suspected. Not even my wife guessed the extent of my nervousness, or I am sure she would have been Ute last to leave me in charge, under circumstances which, to say the least' of were toying. . For our hoflse' was * situated in a lonely part of-the country. We had no near neighbors, and reports had recently reached oar ears of a series of Wnnge and mysteriobs robberies, committed by evidently accomplished thieves, judging from the way they laughed at liK;k»u>iths, penetrated into carefully barfed up mansions, and the deft mqnner in which the hasps of innumerable platechests were removed and the contents abstracted, and no trace left to guide the baffled police by which to lay hold of the .perpetrators. It iw therefore be imagined how .pleasant it was for me when my wife and -daughters announced their intention of accepting an invitation up to the city, ■•‘inWhich I was not included, fortunately," as they exclaimed in a breath, **because somebody must be left in charge." "Be sure and have the silver carried up in your own room every night, John," said my wife, when we were all seated at dinner'the evening previous to their jour mey. 5 . J .t.’ TK * -Oh, yes,” exclaimed my eldest daughter, “don’t forget, papa, or it may all Sc swept off as the Merediths’ was last week. Just fancy if we lost all our nice solid silver; why, it’s worth ever so much!" j •• Not so very much,” I answered carelessly, having observed, as I fancied, the black eyes of our maid fixed upon my daughter with a rather sharp expression; and remembering that she was a very recent arrival, I thought it advisable for once to detoatromihc value of the one possesion, of which I was extremely proud—my silver. “ Not w veiy much, John!" heedlessly -exclaimedmy wife; “th.it old-fashioned isolid silver not worth so very much! Just .feel the weight of one spoon.” “ Well, we haven’t, enough to make it worth anyone’s while to break into this house,” I said, with a poor assumption of iiudifference on the subject. “ O, John!” and “0, papa!” resounded onall sides, which was followed up by my wife adding, ns if to improve matters: ■“ 1 should not like my pearls to go. Nw should I enjdy hearing that my jewel-case was gone, Ymrmustkeen that hid under the bed, John.” The biack-cyed maid giggled audibly at this; at least I heart} -ther. Howurdr, her duties compelled her to leave the room for a few minutes, and I took the advantage of her absericefto boko them fortheir extreme thougbtless"riP tfi hiving Spoken SO incautiously be-

"it is actually putting temptation in her way. How do you know she is not in league with the very gang themselves?” I 'wound up, reproachfully. It waa silly, my wife admitted. “ Girls, < don’t do it again. But it will be all right this time, John. We needn’t be afraid, < because if anyone came you would te the final* fear them; and if Mary had-told ■ them anything touts would be the room they would first come to.” That was evidently a Comfort to my wife, though I could not see much cause for congratulation. However, I had one ■ staunch ally to assist me in guarding the house* and that was my dog Rover, a noble retriever, which I kept comfortably located in a kennel placed in the stable yard. Gentle as a lamb with all ot us, he had shown rather a lion-like disposition to strangers on more occasions than one; so I felt prettycertain if any attempt were made 'Upon our abode, a veiy warm reception would be accorded to the invaders if Hover got within reach of them. To TB*ke certain of his co-operation in the event of an Attack, I departed from my usual.qustom ■of chaining him up at night; and, desiring a mat to be laid for him on the lobby, outside of my bedroom door, I retired io cat for a few nights after the departure of my family, feeling pretty confident that, on the faintest indication of mid-? night marauders, Rover would be on the alert, and, hearing his ominous bark. It would be a very breve man who set his foot within the hall. Besides which I kept a six-barreled, breech-loading revolver loaded; and also possessed a verv deadly-looking cutlass, which, if everything else faiied, I could fall back upon. In accordance with my wife's desire, I had the mwt valuable plate carried up-, stairs and deposited, not in our room actu- ' Just as safe. The jewel-case simply remained where it usually was, on a chest of drawers close by the bed, under which site had charged metote sure and place It v pfetantion.« were, vs course, quite •patent to th? servants, who no doubt in. dujgea in considerable merriment st my •expense down stairs;' and probably pro nounced them highly absurd -. but one morning I was startled to hear that a hoaM about five miles- off, befonghur to Gifford Ransforri. had been broken into and everything of value carried off; worse still, that the butler, who had been awakened by the noise, had received such injuries from the burglars that he was, not expected to live. As usual, they had escaped, leaving not a trace behind them by

which to touMn the mystified and bewildered police. I sat for a long time over my breakfast, ruminating on what my mode of procedure should be in the event of being attacked; and at last a bright idea struck me, which I resolved to put into execution; but what It was I need not aay until I solate how it succeeded. I bad a presentiment that my turn was coming, and It behooved me to have nr course to my stratagem without toes of time. Accordingly. I carried It Into effect; st least, I made my preparations that very morning; and in the afternoon I rode in to the town, a distance of several miles, where I made further inuuiries at the po-lice-station as regarded the recent robbery, but only heard that the thieves were still at large, and from the quantity of things taken at Hansford's, it was concluded that the gang consisted of four or five men. Nothing could have been more cheering news for me of course. Honestly, my heart sank somewhere into the region of my boots as I turned my horse’s head homeward and cogitated upon the pleasant prospect which I felt certain was before me. The afternoon shadows were deepening by the time I got back; and as I rode slowly up to the side entrance which led to the stables, I was somewhat surprised to see a shabby-looking carriage standing at the front door.

My first impulse was to quicken my horse’s movements, and get as rapidly out of sight as possible, believing t 1 should thereby escape the necessity of receiving visitors in my wife’s absence; but the next instant I was compelled to cliange my tactics, as I perceived my presence had been observed by a gentleman who appeared at the door, Mod descending the steps, walked toward me without any hesitation. He was a tall, fine-looking man of about forty, dressed plainly but well, in dark trousers, a frock-coat, and high hat, which he raised slightly as he approached me. “imust introduce myself, Mr. Redmond,” he said, in a tone so easy and well bred, that nearer inspection at once satisfied me that be was what my first glance had assured me, a thorough gentleman. “My name is Gordon; and, happening to be passing through Lowton” (the town from which I just came), “ I inquired how far off your place was, and made up my mind it was too good an opportunity to lose of makingyour acquaintance, as*l am such a very good friend of your brother Arthur, at present in India." “ Gordon." For a moment I paused, but only for a mqment; the next I remembered frequent mentions in my brother’s letters of a certain Tom Gordon, who, from his aoqpunt of h|m, was one of the best of fellows possible, beside having helped him materially in making his way in that distant land; and, as Arthur was a very favorite brother of mine, it behooved me naturally to show my affection for him by great cordiality to his friend. In one of the last letters I had received

he mentioned the fact of Mr. Gordon having returned home, enumerated his numerous kindnesses to him and asked me it I came across him to show him all the kindness I could. So the ceremony of introduction did not occupy long*. I welcomed him most heartily, and was thoroughly glad to find he had counted on my doing so, and bad brought his portrilAnteau with him, quite prepared to accept!whatlw felt sure would be offered— an invitation to remain as long as he felt inclined. He accompanied me to tire stable, where I left ray horse, to be afterwud cared for by a rather unpresentable rustic who redded in sufficient proximity to our abode to permit of his services being put into occasional requisition.‘ We were just returning tothe house when, on passing Rover's. kennel, in place of the usually demonstrative, unmistakably glad welcome he accorded me, he showed an amount of irritation and fierceness anything but encouraging to Mr. Gordbp, who stood at a safe distance, whilst I stopped to quiet and soothe the excited animal. “ Be quiet, Rover, good dog; He down, sir,” I said. But Rover treated me with perfect indifference, contenting himself with violent plunges toward my visitor, whose safety evidently lay only in the strength of Rover’s chain. “ Is he savage?” asked Mr. Gordon. “ Not in the least,” I replied; “with us, at all events. I daresay he could be to strangers; he keeps intruders at a distance if he is unchained.” “Do you ever unchain him?’ he asked. ” I have such a strange horror of dogs that I hope you won’t let him loose whilst. I Am here. They say every one has some pet aversion; dogs are inine. Perhaps I ought not to confess my dislike, but it is the truth; I don’t like dogs and dogs don’t like me ” I could fancy that the latter part of his sentence was perfectly true. Gentlemanly and nice as Arthur’s friend seemed, there was a thinness about the* lips and a peculiar coldness in his eyes that enabled file to imagine it was possible his dislike might beget dislike in animals so wondrously gifted with instinct as those fourfooted friends,, But the thought was a passing one. We moved on to the house; and, after dismissing his cab, Mr. Gordon and I entered the Jibrary,jWhich£ though dignified on account of its book-shelves, I suppose, with thkt name, was a small room adjoining l£e grander, but far lese comfortable drawing-room. Mr. Gordon informed me that he could only remain two or three days at the utmost, as he was obliged to be in the city ofi some very important business by the end of the week. I was truly glad to hear of my brother, and after dinner we sat talking of him for a long time. Mr. Gordon was a most agreeable companion, and the time slipped by most pleasantly, and‘ it was quite late when it first occurred to me to propose retiring to ted. It was only then that I thought of telling him of the chances that our rest might be disagreeably disturbed; but once having got upon the subject, I unburdened' myself pretty freely. That my house would escape I confessed I felt more than doubtful; and I detailed, .witn one exception, my various modes, of delease, the revolver, the cuUaas, and Ijtst, not least—Rover. Pray, let me'be Rover’s substitute for to-night,” said Mr. Gordon. .“ I am a particular]? light sleeper, and I don’t think a mouse could stir without waking me. Why don’t you send away your valuables?’’ he continued. ‘‘You should have them deposited in the bank at Lowton.’.’ ** It certainly would not be a bad plan,” I agreed; ”at present it would be rather a blow to be robbed.’? * ;.‘t x “ I should think so,” replied Mr. Gor. don. “ But do you mean to say yod would 'shoot a maa in cold Mood if you saw him in your house*” “Undoubtedly," I replied. “'Or run him through the body with your cutlass ?” laughed my companion. “ Or rub him through the bodv with my entiass?” I answered, with aa immense tone of unhesitating valor land courage j ust as coolly m I could take my break- “ You are a brave man," observed Mr.

Gordon. “ I would rather be robbed than commit murder." • Would you f" I responded, my courage rising, with the unwonted accusation of bravery. •• I wouldn’t." I felt an arrant impostor aa 1 spoke, a* I knew well enough in my heart that my sentiments bad been moat falsely expounded and that I fully indorsed the opinion he had expressed in preferring to be royally robbed rather than imbrue my hands with the blood of a fallow-creature;, however, the weapons gave me a feeling of security, though I had often wondered, if It came to the scratch, what use I could possibly make of them. “ I should be inclined to trust to a good thick stick," he replied; “ you may rely upon my co-operat ion far as that goes. By the by,” ne continued, “I am not sore that I ever saw a cutlass. It has a pirpticnl sound about it; I should like to have a good look at it." Of course I gladly acceded to his request; and another hour or more was spent in my dressing-room examining the weapons and talking over various matters concerning them. The cutlass, a long, kcen-bladcd steel, was handled very carefully by Mr. Gordon, and the revolver also came in for a very searching inspection. ‘ “You are a bold man," he said, as be placed it in its case, “ to keep loaded firearms in your house; it has often led to serious accidents." “To tell you the truth,” I said, “ these are the last cartridges I possess. I have ordered some more, but they haven'tcoine yet.” “ And, for safety’s sake, you keep those you have already for immediate use. Well, don’t present this at me, I beg, in the hurry of the moment, it we should be attacked,” responded my visitor, in a jocular sort of a manner. “ I shouldn’t like to have it within six paces in your hands. I am beginning to think you are rather a sanguinary individual. I fancy you are the terror of the neighborhood "

Tliis ridiculous assertion tickled u»r vanity; the sensation was so perfectly new to me, and was so pleasant that, though I uttered a faint dissent, I felt sure that I left him under the impression that I was a regular ruffian by reputation. At last we parted for the night; but before doing so. I confided the cutlass to my friend, retaining the pistol myself, so that in the event of anything occurring, we were both fully prepared. However, nothing happened to disturb us. Wc met at breakfast, and mutually laughed over my unnecessary precautions. A most pleasant day followed. I found Mr. Gordon a more than ordinarily entertaining companion. I pressed him to extend his visit for a few dayd, at all events until my wife returned, and he seemed nothing loth. The business in the city might after all be postponed; and in such pleasant quarters, he said,, he would be very glad to remain. So two days sped agreeably away, and on the morning of thejthird I happened to be sitting in the library, when, to my astonishment. I heard a smothered sound of voices in the drawing-room, as if in whispered conversation. I was just going to get up to see from whom the sounds proceeded, when Mr. Gordon appeared in the doorway. It might have been fancy—it was treated then by me as such —but ! did imagine he, started and looked somewhat disconcerted for a very brief momeht; the next he was himself again. • 1 ’ ' “ I have been looking over your daughter's music books.” he said. “la she a very accomplished musician *’ ’

“She sings a,good deal,” “ and is yery fond of it; but lyan’tsay she is very accomplished. She takes after Arthur in her kiva of music.” “Ah, indeed!” responded Mr. Gordon. “Does he still carry about his flute?” I asked. >Jj ; > “No t Ido ( u’t think so,” he answered, rather dubiously. “By the bye,’/I said, presently, “did' you notiqq the pew photograph w» have of him in the drawing-room ? He sent it to us six months ago. ” “ No, I didn’t observe it,” he replied. “We can have fi look at it now, then,” I said, rising as Ispoke,' and leading the way toward the adjoining room, followed closely by my visitor., The photograph, which was hanging on the wall with several others, was a large and most life-like representation of Arthur; it was absolutely impossible for anyone who had once seen him to mistake it; nevertheless, to my surprise, Mr. Gordon directed bis gaze toward another photograph. Whether his quick instinct or my involuntary correction of the mistake by an indicating motion of my hand toward the real picture helped him toward a rapid rectification of his error I could lot The little incident passed by; the pnotograph was duly admired and pronounced a most capital portrait; and we passed on to other topics. But an impression had been made upon my mind—an impression I could yreiUna' resist nor dismiss, in fact could hardly have shaped into words; but nevertheless it wis there —an intangible something—a doubt, fiay almost a dread, of my visitor.

1 would not press Mr. Gordon to stay; I did not feel so cordial to him—that was . the truth; and I was growing more and more uncomfortable at what my l wife would think of my having done so at all. How glad I would be to see them all back aealn. The time had never dragged so wearily as on. the third day o< Mr. Gordon's visit. I don’t think I have mentioned that it Was In the month Of October that all these things happened;,the days were getting shorter and shorter, and on this particular one darkness had dome on more than usually fast; it was raining too, so we—my guest and I—sat in the library carrying on a rather vapid convefi satiqn. At last the servant appeared, bringing in a lamp, which, with* its shade on, she placed about the center of the table by which Mr. Gordon was sitting. His hand was lying listlessly ttpon it, and for the first time I observed the peculiar size of it, and the long, lithe fingers—very bony and thin, except at the tips ana joints which were of extraordinary proportions. A powerful, hand—a clutching* looking hand —not a pleasant one to eacottnter in anger;' I conldtfancy ~*here l again indulged in a terrifying reverie; but I checked myself; I called myself a fool. >, a man come to my tjme as I conld; but fM4lgbt from the lamp >till fell so direqßy upon that hand that I was glad when the announcement of dinner caused a thorough Interruption* to my musing?- We did not sit un so late thaj evening—neither seemed disposed toad 1 so; tnM at about lOifiO I found myaalfi safelyshutup ip my bedromm prepay for rest. What prompted me, I do'not know -It certainly Was’ not according to ’ There tt was lying-in ita case; but—dM! my s eyro deceive I direamipg? thecutndges were gone! the pistol was empty. I stobdWansfixnci * few aeqonds; a cold thrill ran down my backbone. I could not doubt who had done it; and as

in case with a drowning man, before whoa© eyes they ray, dnrinr the short space of time dtirmr which semheonsclousness remains, a life-time of events flashes by, so did a thousand suspicious circumstances connected with my brother’s friend flit through my brain. I had been deceived; he was, without doubt, what, almost unconfeased to myself, I bad been thinking he was all day—an impostor and scoundrel, Who meant not only to rob my house, but to murder me if I attempted the faintest resistance. That he was one of the gang going about, I also suspected; and, if that supposition was correct, doubtless he had more accomplices who would come to assist him in his depredations. It was not a pleasant position for a man to be in, however brave he might be, and for me it was simply terrific. ' It tfoula be madness to go to his room and confront him; such a course would only precipitate matters: I must act promptly; whatever I resolved to do must tie done, and done quickly. It was a stormy and tempestuous night; the rain was beating upon the windows in perfect torrents, and th* wind was high. That was in my favor; for I resolved*after a short, period of deliberation, to lose not a moment in leaving the house, and slipping round to the stable, to saddle my horse and gallop to Lowton for assistance. I had not undressed, so no time was lost in making my exit from my bedroom, the door of which I locked, and also closed and locked the dressing-room door which led into the bedroom, leaving the door to it, which opened on the landing, unlocked, so that if my suspicions were correct—and I doubted less and less that they were so—the seizure of plate would suffice to keep intruders occupied, and prevent them from so soon discovering my absence. At last ! opened the window, which was not very far from the ground, and, dropping gently down, cautiously crept round to the back yard. I feared Rover might betray me; but, as I got close to his kennel, I was astonished to hear no movement. “Rover!” I said, softly; good dog! Rover, old fellow!" But no answering sound greeted me; all was silent, except the steady splashing of the rain and the howling wind. “ Rover!” I repeated; “ Rover,” bending down and thrusting my hand into the kennel, in my anxiety for my favorite, almost forgetting my possible danger. I felt the familiar head and rough coat, but it was a lifeless body that lay so motionless under my anxious touch. Rover was dead! A cold dew broke out all over me. I was speechless with rage, grief and indignation. But there was no time to indulge in such feelings; assurance had now been made doubly sure; the same hand that had drawn my cartridges had poisoned my dog, and would as ruthlessly take my life away, if deemed expedient. To gain the stables and slip the saddle on my horse was the work of a moment only; and favored by the noise of the raging elements, I led him out with the certainty that no one in the house oould hear what was going on. As I passed through the gate, I glanced up toward my guest’s chamber, from which I could see a bright light proceeding. That was satisfactory ; he had not begun operations yet. Then I mounted and, choosing a back way, set off at a hard gallop for Lowton. It was a four-mile ride to the police station, but I got over it in something less than fifteen minutes. I did not take long to explain my errand, which I did by simply stating that I had suspicion something was meditated, from the combined facts of Rover’s death and the drawn cartridges.

It did not require any persuasion to get a coppie of stalwart poljcemen, to accompany me back—they were so anxious to succeed in capturing the thieves that not a chance was thrown away. It was early still, comparatively—we might ge back considerably before twelve; and the inspector, who evidently grasped ,the position, proposed that we should regain the house by my window, and await the course of events from my bedroom. Accordingly, leaving my horseatLowton.the two policemen, myself and a third constable, driving, started off, after a short delay, in a small carriage, which we left by itself, tying the pony to a gateway about a quarter of a mile before reaching my place. Having first taken a ladder from the stable, we groped our way tothe front of the house, and as we got there I touched one of my companions lightly on the arm, and in a whisper directed his attention to the dining-room window? Through the chinks of the shutters we could see plainly that a light was burning. Losing not another instant, I clambered up th my half-open window, followed closely by the policemen, and there we stood, hardly breathing, to listen. Everything was just as 1 had left it. They had not missed me yet; probably the di'esslng-room had not been visited, but that would follow immediately, for hardly had we been five minutes in the house before a noibe, slight in itself, but still sharp and unmistakable, warned up that some one was ascending the staircase—stea'thy footsteps, voices muffled, hut distinctly voices—and presently the dining-room door was softly opened, and we could distinguish a word here and there of a whispqred consultation. Then came a slight metallic sound, and a crack as if something had given way; a jingle of silver—probably my, grandmother's teapot, our most precious heirloom—anil then the hnmea crinkling of paper. More footsteps, mope voices, and then a hand was laid on the handle of my bedroom no great regard to anceof my slumbers. Locked! and an oath, not necessary to reedrd, here followed. Then :Cfime the sound of something vainly inserted in the keyhole, and then—that failing—there was a united crash against what was really a fragile doorway, and the next, instant, what seemed to me a crowd of ruffians, Came trooping-in. ’ There was really but three mjcn—quite enough to have robbed and murdered me many times over, but not too many to bo trapped and caught in the neatest and simplest manner bythe triutaphant constables, who, without a second’s hesitation, surrounded the astonished burglars before they had timetoreal-, ize the situation; foremost amongst them I recognized nay brodtoHs friend,'Thomas Gordon, my agreeable visitor! Resistance Was Useless; they'had left their grins behind thejp, more than ope murderous-looking little weapon b<ing afterward found in the dining-room which they had so recently , quitted. Beside .which, my poor little stratagem—devised but of very fear—had so far succeeded. I had purposely t every night teft.out a , coppie of bottles ot heavily-drugged Winje, which the tmwHcomc vfeitors had unsfispectibgly dispqsed qf, and ..whicß in.,»_ shoyt time began to telL visibly upon their fticnMes; sb they were easily secured, to tbe dclight of the neighborhood, and to the infinite credit and renown, of myself, fbrl wait Supposed to have signalized myself most brilliantly, and was immense, ly congratulated, upon my midnight ride to Lowton. ’

No one wu more surprised athhere praise*) tijan I was myaglf; for the fact remained, and does remain to'lhliawthat I am a very nervous map, hnfi whtt I did was done out, of sheer desperation and terror; and if Ihad guessed wfittHay before.me when myfarnily waakjtp.lh* city I should have bidden them a final farewell, for I never could have tabbied surviving juefi * night. ; Kun , Gifford Hansford’s butler identified thb ei-dttant, Torn Gowion, nNor<»4oe.Billings, aa his assailant: apd the other two, alto well known characters, werewlsoconvicted. One memper of my establishment was missing on the following morning rfftcr the seizure, and that was Mary, oew maid servant, through whose astency, doubtless, Mr. Gordon had Carried his personation of my brother’s execution.