The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, February 20, 1877, Page 2, Image 2

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    THE TIMES, NEW BL00MF1ELD, PA., FElUtUAIlY 20, 1877.
4 .
1ftr The Tlinfw.
NOT AN ANGEL.
11 Y W. It. II. M'CMNTXM.K.
UNLIKE the heroine!) of most writers,
mine is not an angel. When the
l'oet llurna was In Edinburgh, he was
introdueed by a friend to the studio of a
well-known imlnter, whom he found en
gaged on a representation of " Jacob's
Dream." After minutely examining
the work, he wrote the following verses
on the back of a little sketch, which is
Htlll preserved In the pnlnter's family.
It Is highly characteristic of the man :
" Dear I'll gle ye ome advice,
"You should na paint nil iinuel, mill),
' Tint try and paint the Devil.
Tn paint an angM's kittle walk,
AVI' auld Nick there's less danger t
You'll easy paint a weal-kent face,
But no sa well a stranger."
This story doe not appear in his
liiography but was found in a magazine.
We were struck with the force of his
lines and henee we shall, hereafter, re
frain from attempting to bring our
heroines up to an angelic standard.
Poor, frail human nature is often over
drawn. After all we are but miserable
tinners, the highest only a degree above
thaJowest. There are, and have been,
lovely characters known to exist, whoso
merits have been extolled, but whose
faults have been lightly skimmed over.
0.yr favorite authors appear to us, al
wav, as pure being?. We love Byron
and ignore his faults. We do admire
Milton, and yet history makes hi A a
great scold. Even the grent exemplar,
lr. Johnson, had his petty faults, and
ho on down the list. No great man of
the present day would appear half so
great, in our eyes, if we could fully
know his private life. We do not speak
vf this with pleasure. Wecall attention
to a truth and make the appreciation to
our novelists, who would have us be
Ueve that (Catharine Gaunt, for in
hlane:)i their heroines were, in truth,
limiftieulate.
With" these prefatory remarks we pro
ved to Introduce Miss Lucille Agnew.
Miss Agnew, ladies and gentlemen, was
the only daughter of the most noted
cracksman, to use a slang term, of his
day. " Billy Agnew," as he was fa
miliarly called by the good people of
Middletown, was the hero of many esca
pades. At home he was known, only,
for his good qualities. At home he was
a quiet, unassuming, genial neighbor.
He was ojien hearted to an unusual de
cree. The poor always met with more
than they solicited from "Billy." His
occupation was that of a blacksmith, and
there was not a lazy bone in his body.
He worked steadily, week in and week
out, except when ho"took a trip North,"
as he said, " for the purpose of seeing a
sickly brother." This trip usually re
mired about two weeks. During that
time the old blacksmith shop would be
desolate and quiet. The prodigality of
Billy, after these trips, excited some re
mark, but as his good deeds were al
ways in the interest of the deserving
loor of Middletown, no one seemed to
lie very inquisitive as to the meaning
of his frequent trips to see his delicate
relative. Billy had, in truth, had sev
eral narrow, exceeding narrow escapes
during some of those trips, but he kept
his own secrets like a prudent man
should, and was never disturbed in the
solitary home at Middletown. This man
lacked, even an elementary education,
but was possessed of great natural abili
ty and of an iron nerve. He had the
most perfect control over himself. His
muscles were hardened by toil, and no
intemperance had weakened his physical
powers. The scenes he had taken part
in would read like the tales of Dick Tur
pln, yet he never told them; while his
neighbors slept soundly with Billy in
their midst, never for a moment dream
ing of the evil that lurked in his bosom.
One day Billy took off his leather apron
and threw his sledge hammer into a far
corner of his shop. He gently closed
and locked the door. Going into his
humble cottage, he donned a better suit
of clothing, then partaking of a hasty
meal he was gone. He was oif again to
nee that sick brother. That was all he
told the people, and as to any thing
further about the aforesaid relative, the
w hole of Middletown was blissfully ig
norant. Billy was gone. This time he went
wheu our Northern summer was at its
height. The harvest was ended andHhe
wind was Just lieginning to blow over
the oat stubbles. The glorious days of
warm sunshine had joined the goodly
i-aln fall, and the jieople were highly
Messed in their crops. Industry had
brought its reward and God was to be
thanked. While all was peace .at Mid
dletown and people were rejoiced at the
bounties of a merciful Providence, yet
that stal wart blacksmith was discontent
ed with his lot. The constant click of his
hammer bad brought him in plenty of
dimes and quarters, and yet he was uu
happy. Under the jilea of goi n g to see a
nick brother he was off; but It was not
on the errand of love as we shall see.
Instead of seeking a brother, he went
directly to the town ot P- -, There
he put up at a first-class hotel. Boon he
Was Joined by a friend whom he called
"Sam." Bam and Billy became very
Intimate. They hired teams and took
dally rides Into the country to view the
different farms for sale thereabouts.
This course they continued for one week.
They were hard to please, it appeared,
and at the end of the week were as far
from purchasing as at first. Farmers
sought them and offered them the best
of terms, but Billy, who was the spokes
man, always found an answer by which
to hold the farmer aloof and yet keep
him in expectancy. In the meantime
they made the acquaintance of the
cashier of the Deposit Bank. They
called, together, the day after their ar
rival at P , and gave the cashier
of the Bank a package, said to contain
several thousand dollars, and requested
him to put it in the safe until called for.
It was a sealed package and the cashier
never knew but what it contained the
amount as represented by them. They
further told him that they were looking
for a farm and if they could be suited,
they intended to purchase. These con
versations were continued from day to
day until the worthy cashier was com
pletely lulled into security. Their de
meanor was perfectly right and proper.
The cltzens with whom they came in
contact were agreeably impressed. As
usual in small towns the people went
out of their way to do obeisance to the
strangers. Billy and Bam actually re
ceived favors which would not have been
accorded to the old citizens of P .
Their money had great Influence. The
bar-rooms and stores were made to echo
with the stories of their wealth. Thus
it lias always been in small towns.
Thus it ever will be. Sycophancy to
strangers Is the rule, while both eyes are
kept open to watch the home citizens.
On the Saturday of the week of their
arrival, at the hour of 0 P. M., a knock
was heard at thedoor of the Bank. The
cashier happened to be away from
home. He had his residence in' the
Bank building, and, although it was
after banking hours, t.he cashier was
likely to be in at that hour. When the
knock was heard It was answered by the
watchman who told the gentlemen that
" Wm, O had just stepped out, but
would be in in a short time."
They responded that " they would call
again in half an hour." At the end of
a half hour they were back. This time
Wm. O met them In his usual po
lite manner, inviting them Into his set
ting room. This they politely declined,
stating that they would be glad to see
him on business. Billy stated that his
friend was unexpectedly called to New
York, and as he was short of funds It
would be necessary to get a check cashed.
He remarked that he was sorry to troublo
the cashier at so unreasonable an hour,
but the call was so unexpected that they
were compelled to ask the favor.
Wm. O replied that " it was
past banking hours, and the vault was
locked, but If a small amount, say one
hundred dollars, would be of any use to
them he could raise that amount."
They jointly replied that it would do,
and Wm. O invited them into the
banking room. The three then walked
into the room.
As soon as Sam, who was the last in,
had closed the door Btl!y,very suddenly,
threw himself upon the unsuspecting
cashier, and, before he could utter a
slnglecry, had him gagged.
Sam, in the meantime, locked thedoor
and then hastened to the assistance of
his " Pard."
Wm. O by this time realized the
situation, and, although unable to cry
out, yet struggled most violently. Billy
would not hurt him norallow his pard
to hurt him, although Sam had drawn
his revolver. In those powerful hands
Wm. O was like a child however,
and soon was fixed in a way commonly
or technically known as " bucked and
gagged." By the aid of tools, which
bore the marks of the blacksmith, they
soon effected an entrance into the vault
Extracting therefrom some thirty
thousand dollars In two packages, and
leaving their own deposit where Win.
O had placed It, they prepared to
depart.
In the meantime the night watchman,
who proved to be the most sagacious
man in the town, began to meditate.
As he meditated he began to think
things looked curious to say the least.
Why those men should come there at
that hour? was a question with him.
Why they should remain so long and so
quiet within the Bank? was another
question. Acting on bis suspicions be
told a few passers by of the singular oc
curence. These be placed at favorable
locations, and himself stood near the
inner door of the Bank.
When Billy and Sam came out of the
door alone the ease was a clear one to the
faithful watchman. Drawing bis club
he felled Sam to the floor at one power,
ful blow and screamed for help. Billy,
seeing the terrible situation at a glance,
-.1 1 ...!1L IV . . . .
viuBttj jilu uia waicnraan ana by a
mighty effort hurled him to the floor-
He then leaped across the entry and
opened the outer door, baying still re
tained the stolen packages. But the
outside watchers had beard the alarm of
the watchman and in an Instant he was
surrounded. ,
Revolvers faced Billy In all directions
and after a brief parley, he was a prison
er. The towft.by this time, was aroused
and a great crowd was soon on the spot.
Cries of " Hang him I" " Hang him I"
now rent the air. The same people who
bad fondled Billy now cried "Hang
him I"
Huch is the fickleness of human na
ture. Sam was secured also and to
gether they were marched to prison.
The denouement caused great excite
ment for miles around as the news of
the great robbery spread. In the mean,
time Billy sat demurely in his narrow
cell with his bead in his hands, looking
at his chains, and, thia time he failed to
return to his home at the end of two
weeks as heretofore.
The town of M being somewhat
off of the public thoroughfare, did not
get news as speedily as other better fa
vored towns. At the end of two weeks
the good people of M began to look
for Billy, but he came not. At the end
of three weeks they were really uneasy.
Some said " the brother must be very
sick." Others said "it was very strange
indeed."
At the end of four weeks rumors be
gan to circulate. One man who bad
been North heard of a man being drown
ed who resembled Billy. Another heard
of him in a rail road accident. At
length the true story came in the shape
of a newspaper article with flaming
headings. This Btlll did not certainly
identify Billy with the attempted rob
bery, but it was followed and confirmed
by a detective. The detective bad found
a clue in an envelope which the wily
Billy had unintentionally left in his
satchel. This envelope had bis name
and address written upon the outside.
The detective in developing the case
Btarted to find the obscure village of
M . There was a wonderful commo
tion among the people In the quiet town
when the truth flnshed upon their as
tonished minds.
Here, again, former friends execrated
the unfortunate Bill. Amid all these
terrible denunciations there was but one
feeble voice that did not cry out against
him in the frantic town. In the little
old cabin by the blacksmith shop sat a
delicate female. She was an only child,
her mother having died in giving her
birth. Alone, with her father, she had
lived since that solemn hour and now
she was just eighteen years old. Beauti
ful golden ringlets had learned to cluster
about her fair brow, and two little
dimples danced in and out about the well
shaped mouth. She was possessed of a
perfect form, while blushes were con
tinually flitting across her countenance
like the light and shade of the capricious
sunshine of a summer evening. Her
moral character was as pure as it could
be under the rough culture she had ob
tained near the blacksmith shop. She
was naturally good at heart, but Lucille
Agnew tvaa not an Angel! When the,
now envious, neighbors rushed in, with
undue baste, to tell her the news, in the
harshest manner, she was simply stun
ned at first. Stupefied she sat but could
not realize the situation. When they
talked of robbing a Bank she did not
comprehend their meaning. ' When
they told her 'that herk father was not
with his sick brother she started from
her comatose condition. Tears she had
none. Her utterance was coarse and
choked. When told that her father
wasin danger she then,forthe first timo
seemed to arouse and the first intelligi
ble words she uttered were" Father 1"
" danger!" Turning to the nearest news
bearer she asked eagerly " Where Is
father V" " What Is the danger V"
She was in blissful ignorance, all these
years, of his occupation and bence never
thought that danger hovered nigh unto
blm. In her innocence she saw only
her father in the rough blacksmith. To
Lucille, Billy never was unkind. The
only pulsation of love bis callous heart
ever felt was caused by Lucille. She
was now the Ivy clinging to the oak.
As the storm was gathering she was be
ginning to cling the closer. Billy Ag
new, that day, had but one human be
ing In this universe who shed the tear
of pity for him or cared a jot about his
doom. He bad one other friend the
one who befriended the thief on the
cross but he knew blm not, Poor
Lucille bad but one earthly friend and
be was chained in bis cell. The charity
of the world is a poor antidote for the
unfortunates. They wither under its
blighting Influence like the young bud
that is nipped by the frost. In answer
to her question" Where is father V"
She was told that he was in prison at
P .
The next morning when the neigh
bors called to see Lucille again, she was
nowhere to be found. The little cottage
was deserted. Alone with her tears she
bad spent a horrid night. Desolate and
disconsolated she might have been ob
served, early that morning, pawing
rrora her bumble door, out into the by
path, alone. i : , ,
Without a, knowledge of the geogra
phy of the country she had sternly le
ter mined to seek her father. Thinly
clad and without a word to a living soul
she started for the far off North land.
Father was somewhere and she must
find blm. On, on she plodded like a
ship without a compass. That day she
walked as farashcr weary feet and heavy
heart could carry her and when the stars
peeped forth and the pale moon looked
down, she still continued her tiresome
walk. Subsistence was unthougbt of
until far in the night and even then,
food she had none. She was not an
angel and yet Bhe was doing this for her
imprisoned parent. With a terrible en
ergy she pursued her weary way. At
length tired nature could endure no
more. Falling on the ground she slept
while the stars kept their ccoseless vigil.
The next day she resumed her -walk.
By begging from the people she obtain
ed a scanty meal now and then. Day
after day she struggled on until, footsore
and feverish, she found that Providence
had guided her aright, and that the next
day would bring her to the town of
Pennington. Her thin shoes bad al
ready worn out and now she was com
pelled to enter P bare footed.
Thus, bare footed and In rag9, poor
Lucille was Btlll beautiful. Her black
eye took on a more brilliant lustre by
reason of her great sufferings. The un
combed tresses took on a more wavy ap
pearance by reason of neglect to arrange
them. Her bare ankles bad been bronz
ed by the sun. Her fair complexion had
assumed a deeper hue by reason of ex
posure during that terrible -walk. But
all this mattered not now for that day
she should she her father. Enclosed as
he was he was still dear to Lucille. Her
untainted heart knew but one man in
the world and that man was Billy Ag
new. Trembling In every nerve she en
tered the town where he was confined.
Like a frightened bird Bhe fluttered
about the cage a long time before she
dared to approach the door.
Having entered the town through the
alleys she Inquired for the prison. As
she gazed on the doleful looking struc
ture her heart sank within her and she
thought of her pleasant home at M .
Those great walls of stone and those
Iron doors struck terror to her soul.
Faintly, under one of the rear windows,
she ventured to utter a single word
" Father 1" She heard the clanking of
chains but no response came from those
grid-ironed windows. Again she cried,
this time a little louder" Father!"
Still no response. This suspense was
hard on the Inexperienced wanderer.
" Father !" for the third time she ex
claimed and still naught but the clank
ing of the prison chains. There she
stood alone. The big world was around
her, but Lucille was alone. Where was
Its boasted charity now f Many a poodle
had a better homeand more friends than
Lucille.
The walls echoed back the cry of
father, but the world beard It not. She
was litterally a prisoner on the outside
of the jail. When her ciles failed, she
ventured a little closer to the great door.
She was not an angel, and as a mere
mortal she had to force her way on her
errand of love. Gently knocking, there
was no response. Still a little louder,
and finally, so hard that her knuckles
ached, and then she heard foot-steps
within. The next moment the heavy
door creaked on Its hinges and Lucille
Agnew stood face to face with the jailor,
With tears pouring down from her eyes
she asked, " Is father in "
" wno's ratnerf" muttered the an
noyed jailor.
" Why, my father, sir," she replied.
" Well, who are you V" said he in
anger.
" I am father's Lucille, sir."
"What Is your name V" he asked.
softening a little at her child-like sim
plicity.
"My
y name, sir, is Lucille Asrnew. I
came au ine way irom m to see
father?" "Are you the daughter of
wunam Agnew r" lie asked. " 1 am,"
she answered. " Well," said he, "I am
sorry for you, my poor girl, but your
father is not here, lie was tried in the
early part of the week, convicted of the
crime of attempted robbery, and is now
over a nunarea mues rrom nere, in tne
Eastern Penitentiary at Philadelphia. I
am sorry for you my poor child. Your
father very much looked for you and con
stantly talked about you."
There was a loud piercing shriek sent
ringing through that old jail that re
verberated from corridor to corridor and
from cellar to dome. There was a
heavy fall and Lucille Agnew the beau
tiful the affectionate Lucille lay in
sensible at the jailor's feet. Her weary
walk was all In vain. Hope's bright
dav star went out and all was bleak
night. After a brief fitful fever Lucille
slept well. No more those feet will ache
on earth's hard pebbles. No more cold
charity will hurt that young soul. No
more cries of " Father" will fall from
those soft lips. All tears have been
wiped from those sightless orbs. The
worm now nestles among those srolden
curls that might have dazzled the eyes
of the courts of Europe. Surely, when
Lucille fell in that jail door-way, Jesus
of Nazereth must have passed by and
taken the untutored soul back to Its
home. Death waa her best friend
In a friendless world, and a
merciful Heavenly father sent death.
She was burled at the expense of the
county, in a thin shroud and a pine
coffin.. Lucille Agnew was a noble girl,
but Lucille Agnew was not an anqkl I
CouKumptive Take Kolice.
Every moment of delay makes your cars
more hnpeloss, and much deponds on the Jndl
cloui choice of a remedy. The amount of tes
timony In favor or Dr Sehenck'a Pulmonic
Byrnp for Consumption, far exceeds all that
can be brought to upport the pretensions of
any other medicine. Bee Dr. Bchcnck't Al
manac, containing the certificates of many por
eons of the highest respectability, who have
been restored to health, after being pronounc
ed Incurable by physicians of acknowledged
ability. Bchenck'a Pulmonic Syrup alone
cured many, as these evidences will show but
the euro Is ofton promoted by the employment
of two other remedies which Dr. Bcbenck pro
vides for the purpose. These additional reme
dies are Bcbenck's Bea Weed Tonic and Man
drake Fills. By the timely use of these medi
cines, according to directions. Dr. Bchenck
certifies that most any case of Consumption
may he cured.
Dr. Bchenck Is professionally at his principal
office, Corner Sixth and Arch Bts., Philadel
phia, every Monday, where all letters for ad -vice
must be addressed. 6 luif
VEGETI N E
Btrlkes at the root of disease By purifying the
blood, restoring the liver and kidneys to healthy
action, Invigorating the nervous system.
VEOETINE
Is not a vile, nauseous compound, which simply
pin lies the bowels, but a safe, pleasant remedy
which is sure to purify the blood, and thereby
restore the health.
VEGETINE
Is now prescribed In cases of Scrofula and other
diseases of the blood, bv manv of the best phy.
sielans, owing lolts great success In curing ail
diseases of this nature.
VEOETINE
Does not deceive Invalids Into false hones by
purging and creating a fictitious appetite, but as
sists nature In clearing and purifying the whole
system, leading the patient gradually to perfect
health.
VEOETINE
Was looked upon as an eiftierlment for some time
by some of our best physicians, but those most
incredulous In regard to its merits are now Its
most ardent friends and supporters.
VEOETINE
Says a Boston physician, " has nn equal as a
blood-purlller. Hearing of Its many wonderful,
cures, after all other remedies had tailed, I visit
ed the laboratory and convinced myself of Its
genuine merit. It Is prepared from barks roots'
anil herbs, each of which Is highly etleetive.aiul
they are compounded In such a manner as to pro.
duue astonishing results."
VEGETINE
Is ncknowleged and recommended bv physicians
and apothecaries to be the best puritl'er and
cleanser of the blood yet discovered, and thou
sands speak in its praise who have been restored
to health.
rilOOF WHAT IS XEEMCIK .
Boston, Feb. 13, 1871.
Mr. II. R. Stevens: . ,
Dear Sir About one year since I found
myself in a feeble condition from general debili
ty. VEUET1NK was strongly reoommendtd to
me by a friend who had been much benellted by
its use. I procured the article, and after nslng
several bottles, was restored to health and dis
continued Its use. I feel quite confident that there
is no medicine superior to it for those complaints
for which it Is especially prepared, and would
cheerfully recommend It to those who feel that
they need something to restore them to perfect
health. Kespcctfully yours,
V. L. PETTINOILL.
Firm of S. M. Pettlnglll & Co., lu .state 8t.,Boston
Cincinnati, Nov. 26, 1872.
Mr. H. H. Stevens: Dear Wr The two bottles of
VKiETINE furnished me by your agent, my wife
has used with Kreat benefit.
For a long time she has tieen troubled with diz
ziness and costtveness; these troub'es are uow
entirely removed bytheuseof Vegettne.
She was a'so troubled with Dyspepsia and Gen
eral Debllltv, and has been II' eat I v benetlted.
THOU. GILMOKE, 2iiK Walnnt St.
Feel Myielf a Xew Mail,
Natick. Mass., June 1, 1872.
Mr. II. H. Stevens: Dear Sir Through the ad
vice and earnest persuasion of Rpv. K. S. Best, of
this place, I have been taking VEGETINE for
Dyspepsia, of which I have suffered for years.
I have used only two bottles and already feel
myself a new man. Respectfully,
Dtt. J. W. CARTER.
JiCporl from a J'ruoticrtl Chemist and
Aprthvcary.
Boston, Jau. 1.1874.
Dear Sir This Is to certify that I have sold at
retail 164 dozen (1SS2 bottles) of vour VEGE
TINE since April 12, 1870. and can truly sav that
it has given the best satisfaction of any remedy
for the complaints for wh'ch It is recommended
that I ever sold. Scarcely a day passes without
s me of my customers testifying to Its merits on
themselves and their friends. I am perfectly cog
nlzantof several cases of Scrofulous Tumors be
ing cured by Vegetlne alone In this vicinity.
Very respectfully yours, .
. AI OILMAN, 468 Broadway.
To H, 11. Stevens, Esq. & lm
Prepared by H.R.Stevens, Boston,Mass.
Tegctlne Is Sold by All Druggists.
w
EST STREET HOTEL,
Nos. 41, 43, 43 & 44 West St.,
NEW YORK,
TEMPERANCE HOUSE, ON THE EURO
PEAN PLAN.
HOOMB 5o and 75 cents per day. Charges very
MODEB ATE. The best meats and vegetables in
the market. BEST BEDS ill the City.
171yH B. T. BABBITT. Proprietor.
JEATHER &C.
THE subscriber has sow on band at
LOW riilCES,
Good Sole Leather,
Kip of Superior Quality,
Country Calf Skins,
French Calf,
LININGS, ROANS, &c.
F. Mortimer,
NEW BLOOMFIELD, PA.
Late Immense Discoveries by BTANLEYana oth
ers are Just added to the only complete
Life and Labors of Livingstone.
This Veteran Explorer ranks amoug the most
heroic Pgures of tlieC-eutiiry, and this oookla one
ot the nioM attractive, fascinating, richly Illus
trated a ad lUNtruetlv volume ever Issued.
Being the only entire and authentic life, the mil
lions are eager for it. and wide awake agents are
wanted quickly. For proof and terms addreaa
ItllKBARl) BltOa, Publishers, 733 Suusoru Street,
rkUtuUluhia. 40
SWi, 8?dNI AND "FA KM FOR
SALE. A First-rate Farm lu Juniata o.,
Fa., al a Store Stand and Block of Gouoa. For
further particulars aderes SAMUEL BUCK,
fort lio) al, Juulata co., Fa, 34 W