The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-01-26


in bringing forth a hoarsc. gasping sound Fear
dried up articulation. Vor faucibus hGsii.
And Taddyy lie had disappeared: been MUIR
lercl.-,or gagged aud carried away by the man
in the chase.
Mrs. Ducklow flew hither and thither, Ito use
hyorte phrase of her own(, like hen with
her head cut OFFS then rushed out OF the house,
and up the street, screaming after the chaise,-
Murder murder! Stop thiet stop thief
She waved her hands alott IN the air irantically.
Ii she had trudged before, now she trotted, now
she cantercd; but IL the cantcrng of the old mare
was fitly likened to that Of COW. to what thing.
to what manner of motion under the sun, shall
We liken the cantering OF Mrs. DucklOw! IL was
original; IL was unique; II was prodigiOus. Now,
with her frantically waving her hands, and all her
undulatng aud tapping skirts, she seemed spe'
cies Of huge. uuwieldy bird attempting to n.y..
Then she sank down into heavy dragging walk.
breath and strength all gone,-no voice left
even to scream murder. Then the awful realiza-
ticn Of tho loss Of the bonds once more rushing
over her, she started up again. Halt running,
half flying. what progress she made! Then At
klns's dog saw her, and, naturally mistaking her
for q prodigy, came out a, her. bristling up anu
bounding and barking tcrri6cally.
'Come herc!' cried Atkins, following the dog.
What's the matter! What's to pay, Mrs. Duck
low!' =,
Attempting to speak, The good woman could
only pant and wheeze.
'Robbed!' she at last managed to whisper,
amid the yelpings of the cur that refused to be
silenccd
Robbed! How? whol'
The chaise. Ketch it,
Her gestures expressed more than her words;
and Atkius's horse and wagon, with which he had
been drawing out brush, being In the yard near
hy, he ran to them, leaped to the seat, drove into
the road, took Mrs. Ducklow aboard, and set out
in vigorous pursuit of the slow two.wheelcd vehi'
Gle.
stop, you. Sir! Stop. you, Sir!' shrieked
Mrs Ducklow, having recovered her breath by
the time they came up with the chaise.
1t stopped, and Mr.. Grahtley the minister put
out his good.natured, surprised face.
you've robbed my house! You've took -
Mrs. Ducklow was going on in wild, accusatory
accents, when she recognized the benign counte'
nance.
what do you sayy I have robbed your he
exclaimed, very much astonished.
No, no! not you! You wouldn't 40 such
thing!' she stammered forth, while Atkins, who
had laughed himself weak at Mr.. Duckow's plight
earlier In the morning, now laughed himself INTO
n slc-achc at Mrs. Ducklows ludcrous mistake.
But did you--dd you stop ut my house! Have
you seen our Thadleusl'
'llere I be, Ma Ducklow!' piped small voice,
and Taddy, who had till then remained hidden,
iearin; punishment, pesped oa, % OF the oha''e 'ro~
'Taddy! Taddy! How came the carpet -
'Ipulled 1t up, huntn for marble, answered
Tadly, rs she paused, overnastered by her emo.
tons.
Aud the thing tied up in brown wrapperf
Pa Ducklow took it,.
'Ye surc!'
yes; seen him.
'Oh, iear!' said Mrs. Ducklow, never was
80 beat! Mr.. Grantley, | hope-excuse me-l
didn't know what was about. Taddy, you notify
hoy, what did you leave the house for! Be YOU
quite sure yer Pa Ducklow -
Taddy repeated that he was quito sure, rs he
climbed from the chaise into Atkins's wagon. The
minister smilingly remarked that he had hopei
she would find no robbery had been committed,
and went his way. Atkins. driving back, snd
setting her and Taddy down at the Dncklow gate,
answered her embarrassed Much obleeSed to ye,
with q sincere Not at ALL considering the fln
he had had a sufficient compensation for his trou.
BILE. And, thus ending the mornings adventures,
with the exception of m unimp0rtaut episode, in
which Tadiy, Mrs. Ducklow, and Mrs. Ducklow's
rattan were the principal actors.
At noon Mr.. DucklOw returned.
Did yc take The bonds'' was his wife's first
question.
'Of course I did! Yc don't suppose I'D 90 away
and leave 'cm in the house, not KNOWN when
you'd be comm home!'
.Wall, | didn't know. And didn't know
whu,hcr to believe Taddy or not. Oh, I've had
And she related the story of her pursuit of the
minister
Il How could ye make such q fool of yerself!
It'll git all over town, and shall be mortified to
death. Jest like woman, to cit frightened!
'If you hadn't got frightened, and made fool
OF yourself, yelling fire. 'twouldn't have happen
ed!' reiorted Mrs. Ducklow.
wall! wall! say NO more about IL! The bonus
arc safe
Il was in hopes you'd change 'em for ttem
registered bonds Reuben spoke Of
L did try to, but they told me to the bank Il
couldn't he did. Then asked 'em II they would
object to lockin' on em up IN their safe; but theS
wouldn't give me no receipt, nor hold themselves
responsible for 'em. didn't know what else to
do, So hanlcd 'em the bonds to keep
4 want to know il you did now! exclaimed
Mrs. Ducklow, disapproyngly.
why not? What else could do! didn't
want TO lug 'em around with me forever. And
as for keepin' 'em hid in the house, we've tried
that!' and Ducklvw unfolded his weekly paper.
Mrs Duckfow was placing the dinner on the
table, with look which seemed to say, u would
not have the bonds in the bank; my Judgment
would have been better than all that III they are
lost, I shan't be to bame!' when suddenly Duck
low started and uttered cry of CONSIDERATION
over his newspaper.
Why, what have yc found!
Bank robbery
Not your bank, Not the bank where your
bonds'--
'Of course not; but in the very next town! The
safe blown open with gunpowdcr! Five THOUSAND
dollars in Gov'mcnt bonds stole!
How strange!' said Mrs. Ducklow' NOW
what did tell ye!'
Il believe you're right cried Ducklow, start
ing to his feet. They'll be safer in my own
house, or even in my own pocket
'Ifyou was going to put 'ow 10 any safe, why
not put 'cm in JOsiah'sl Hes got safe, &c
know
SO he has! We might drive over there and
make visit Monday, and ask him to lock up
yes. VIC might tell him and Laura oil about II,
and leave 'em in their charge
80 VIC might said Mrs. Ducklow.
Laura was their daughter, and Josiah her hus:
band, in whose honor and sagacity they placed
unlimited confidence The plan was resolved upon
.To.morrow's Sunday said Ducklow, pacing
the aoor. IL we leave the bonds 10 the bank
over night, they must stay there till Monday
'And Sunday is jest the day for burglars to
operate!' added Mrs. Ducklow
1--WE good Dotion-let me see, said Duckiow,
looking Mt the clock. Twenty minutes after
a.half,-I believe could git there in an hour
and a.halt will. I'll take bite and drive
right back
Which he accordingly did. and brought the
tape.tied envelope home with him again: That
night he slept with il under his pillow. The next
day was Sunday; and although MI Ducklow did
not like to have the bonds on his mind during
sermon-time, and Mrs. Ducklow dreaded dread
fully MS she said, to look the minister In the
fsce.' they concluded that IL Was best, on the
whole. to 60 to meeting, and carry the bonds.
With the envelope once more in his breast pocket
lstitched in this time by Mrs. Duck!ow's own
handy, the farmer sal under the droppings Of the
sanctuary, and stared up at the good minister,
but without hearing word Of the discourse, his
mind Was 50 engrossed by worldly cares, until the
preacher exclaimed veheuiently. looking straight
at Dueklow's pew
What said Paull' Il would to God that not
only thou. but also all that hear me this day.
were both almost and altogether such as l am,
erccpt these bonds 'Erccpt these bonds he
repeated, striking the Bible. Can you, my hear