The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-11-03

had planned in consequence ola sus.
picion that she had once been scorned
by distant connection. Discovering
that tie distant connection had been
changed in the cradle. also. and conse-
quently was not connection. the aunt
confesred and the highwayman was
united to the Flower Of Peekskill, hay
ing previously set fire to the castle,
which fortunately contained the father,
aunt, and all the Williams. and fled by
moonlight on his milk white charger
with the amiable young lady, who re-
garde:! the general roast of her family
and fri.nds az an act of just retribu-
ton.
reprimsnded Hepsiba severely for
leaving such work in the children's
reach but with all my endeavors, only
succeeded in leaving the false impress
sion that disapproved of works Of &c
ton. A novel, in Hepsiba's mind, was
a NOVELETTE, more blood-and- thunder
it contained, the better it was worth
reading. She assured me that it was a
very handsome book, and had awful in
terestiny things in it' And when I ex-
pressed my opinion of the disgustin.
affair. she charged me with the unde-
niable fact that had read book called
Little Dorrit,' or some such name,
myself. for she had seen me. l was
obliged to take quite stand with her,
and to inform her that unless she could
keep her place, she would be obliged to
look out for another situation.
was terribly afraid she would take
me at my word. for she is an excellent
servant, worth any two others l hsve
ever had, and l should hate to lose her;
but one csnnot allow ones self to be
trodden upon by ones servants, what
ever may be the consequence-at least
I won't. But dear me ! if l had only
known the consequences which were to
ensue, from the perusal of those dread
full books, don't know what l should
have done.
They had read. as it appeared. more
than one of the illusions, and The
Flower of Peekskill' was among the most
harmless. The children's minds were
full Of highwaymen, elopements, and
cruel parents. and scenes from these
tales were enacted in the garden or the
attic whenever they found an opportuni-
ty.
There was a vacant lot in the rear of
our block, and gate from each garden
led into this spot. which Was dedicated
to coal ashes and refuse cabbage leaves.
l had just returned as it was growing
dark. Being in a hurry, the though,
struck me that l would run in through
the garden way, and thus avoid the de-
/ tentioaa!f waiting to be let in AT the
street door. Obedient to this thought,
gathered my skirts about me and en-
4 sess.1 -. lat,-.---Abs.s half ar.y @beswoan
the entrance and our gate sands the
stump Of an old tree, and behind it
crouched form which l could not at
first distinguish, End doubted whether
it we're boy or dog. While | fingered
rather dreading to pass, and almost de-
cided to go around to the front door, a
little fellow, whose parents lived in the
end house. ran out of the gate, with his
apron, evidently filled with something
precious, held between both hands AS
he passed the stump the cancealed figure
sprang to its feet. and seized him around
the waist, with the words-'Stand and
deliver = .... ..-.a
oh my oh my ! cried the little boy.
Who are you ?--let me go!' :
Il won't answered the first, in nv
Dicks voice. | declare it actually took
my breath away to hear it, Il won't,
till you stand and deliver I'm high
wayman, and | want those apples or
your life, Billy Edmunds
The child began to scream and l ran
forward, seized Dick by the collar, and
made him walk home little faster than
he had walked before. didn't speak
one word to him, but fastened him in
the pantry to await his fathers return.
and went in search of the other children
| couldn't find them for a long while /;
but at length, ascending to the attic. l
discovered that one of the rooms was
locked on the inside, and shaking the
door violently, demanded admittance.
Clara looked through the aperture at the
top of the door as | spoke, and replied
IF you please, ma, won't You send us
up some bread and water, and a switch?
Rosa and | are going to be nuns. and
want to fast and scourge ourselves!
If YOU will come out, I'll apply the
switch to you myself answered, for
| was out of patience. DO you know
where Fanny is?'
we left her with Dick replied Rosa;
and | fewdown stairs again nearly fright
ened out OF my senses.
Dick had not seen Fanny, neither had
Hepsiba, and 1t was long time before
We discovered the child, when she was
found playing with little Irish boy in
q hovel at no great distance. They were
making mud-pies on the hearth when /
arrived. A pig was looking on from one
corner. and two children, sick wild de
masels. as the mother, who was en-
joying a mug of whisky in the middle
of the floor, informed me, were in the
bed which occupied the other. I could
hardly RESTRAIN my anger until Preached
home and then when Uniformed Fanny
that she must never speak to Pat Lafferly
again, and that if found her away from
home, especially at such place, again.
Iwould whip her as she never had been
whipped, she called me 'cruel parent
compared 49, sonnany dreadful char
aosAysjp tnf bbooks, that found it
r gsary to lock her up in another
closet.
Ihad pretty story to tell Psalter
when he returned and when the nuns.
the ill-used maiden, and the embryo
hirhWayman stood before their father in