Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-08-21

deacon, trying to preserve becoming gravity
The joke is safe--and I'd advise you to hurry
home and let out Increase
The elder Smith turned on his hee! and
vanished-feeling very weak-probably from
the effects Of the excitement he had undergone
Let us now look in upon the younger Smitt
who was actually shut up in the granary. L
is impossible to describe his rage on finding
himself thus entrapped. After shouting until
he was hoarse, and nearly deaf, he closed hi,
teeth angrilv, and sat down on a bag of mea
to wait the result. t
Increase had not long been in this dark dun
geon, before he heard noise in the barn.
Supposing it was the old man, who, having
discovered his error, was coming to liberate
him, his anger evapora,ed, and he could mol
help laughing at the ludicrous mistake.
But there was mystery about the sounds
he heard, which caused the younger Smith to
doubt whether they were made by his father,
after all. He listened. They turned the key
cautiously in the lock. Slowly, stealthly the
door opened, while Increase scarcely breaihed.
Somebody entered noiselessly, touched young
Smiths shoulder as he passed, and began to
! explore the further part of the dungeon. In
crease dropped on his hands and knees, and,
taking advantage of the noise made by the rob-
Der, crept out. Then, to shut the door and
lock it, was the work of moment. S,mebody
was locked up.
Listening moment, and hearing no sound,
Increase became firmly CONVINCED that he had
committed no error, but caught real thief,
and went Immediately for assistance.
Shortly after, very much ashamed Of his
mistake, the elder Smith sneaked into the barn,
and approached the granary. 1t is necessary
10 thus place 10 observe tina, the elder Smith
had locked up his son with the key which
belonged TO the granary, and which he had
carried away with him, aud that Increase
locked up the thief with false KEY, which
the latter had brought with him, aud care
lessly left 10 the lock, on entering the graua-
ry, and which the younger Smith had cai.
ried away.
And now the elder Smith made haste 10
open the door.
Increase Z! he called, putting his head in
to the granary.
No sound replied.
Are you asleep? Come-don't 60 to
ptavinv nnv tricEs m, nc :, 49,. N -:
take--for really took you to be a rob
Mr.. Smiths mouth was stopped by vo-
lent blow on the mouth Mr.. Smith. ia an
instant. was tumbled down amidst wilder
ness of barrels, bags, rakes and shoveIs.-
Mr.. Smith was considerably stunned l,y the
blow aud fall, and when Mr.. Smith got upon
his legs again, The door was closed and
locked. MIR. Smith was prisoner. leave
the reader to lima sfne his feelings!
Meanwhile Increase was raising forces to
asss, in taking the thief out Of the grannry
in safety. Having told his story to Mrs
Smith, who was exceedingly astonished, he
FASTENED to alarm Joe Ferris, a stout fellow,
who lived in the woods near by, and who
had complained of losing quite as much
property as the Smiths. Mrs. F. put her
head out Of the window, and wished to
know what Increase wanted. The Young
man asked for Joe. After some hesitation,
the woman replied that her husband had
the headache, and could not get ur.
It's very important" said Increase. i've
caught the thief, and locked him up 10 the
granary"
'O-have you!' said Mrs. Ferris, in a
feeble voice. How fortunate! But as my
husband has the headache, think you had
better keep lhe-the man ill morning.
Novel; have him tonight cried In
crease.
Aud away he ran.
Now, if the younger Smith thought he
was regaing Mrs. Ferris with glad tidings,
he was considerably in error. The truth is,
in closing the window, she was as pale. as
death. The reader may guess the cause OF
her agitation, when inform him that there
was no Joe Ferris sick with the headache in
The house.
But Mrs. F. was woman Of energy and
decision. She caught up hammer, tire "
her shawl over her head, and left the house.
She was soon in MIR. Smiths barn with her
hand on tine granary.
Joseph ! she whispered.
/, No reply.
Joseph-it is me-are you here ? she
aodN'. knocking on the door.
Lei he OUT said a voice within.
"'hou' A'y further delay, Mrs. Ferris
having thrownne barn ,door wide open, SO
that she could perie-u her operat,ops. com.
meoced hammer'ng n paddock in NOS,
destructive manner.
Now Mr.. Smith, who W.. u;,h;, ,v.s
exceedingly as'onished at whs>be heard
He certainly wished TO be let out, T., bs had
no desire 10 have the paddock smashe, w;,h
out first trying other means. Some,,;,.
like the truth flashed upon his mind, hoN,v
or, when he reflected th,t the person WI,
was breaking the lock had called him Jo.
sepi,, and that the voice was marveIously
like a woman's. With gr,at anxiety of mind
he waited for the door to ,pen.
Al length the lock w% torn away, and
Mrs. Ferris whispered
Come quick. Joseph! There's no time
to lose! They'll be here !, minnie
She caught somebody " the arm. and
that somebody followed hr Into the moon
light. Then he cat sht be by the arm, and