Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1866-03-10


from sleep by strange noises inlthe mill
He didn't know what to make of it, but
he arose, lighted his lamp, put his clothes
on, took stick in his hand, and boldly
went out of his little room. Now, some
boys would have thought some robbers
had broken into the mill, and that some
strange visitors had entered it, and were
having great holiday at midHight, and
they would have been very much fright
ened. FIum was determined to soc
what was the matter, and not get scared
at any thing he did not see. As soon as
he came out of his room, with his lamp
and stick, the little people who mad g
such noise ran hastilysover the riekety
old boards that formed the floor of the
mill. They ran down stairs, turned over
two or three old tin pans, upset bnshel
measure of beans, and were then Is
mute as mice. Eteasz :
FUN could not see exactly what sort
of people they were, for bis light was
very dim; but he determined to make
their acquaintance es soon as possible.
So be went across the floor, quickly de-
scended the stairs, and waited moment
till he could hear some sound again from
the midnight robbers, whoever they
might be.
He waited but heard nothing. He
then looked around all the corners, and
in several old chests and boxes, bat he
could not find a man or ooy anywhere in
the mill. At last be. said: al will ex-
anime the old chicken coop in the cor
ner." Hewe to it, slowly lifted it up,
md m l.
noise enough for small regiment; but
Flum was not scared enough to drop his
lantern, but said to them; What are
you doing here, you gray burglars? You
have got no business in this mill If
you think you can grind corn better than
can, will tell the miller to give you
three shillings day, and let me work
in the LOT. But if can grind corn better
than you can, will stay in the mill and
you must leave. Come now, I will give
yoa two minutes to decide what you win
do. Answer as quick as possible"
By this time the cats were out of
sight. Naturally enough they made no
reply TO FUN 8 proposition. He there
fore In the direction in which they
had gone as fast as he could; Ne chased
them up stairs aud down stairs, in one
corner, hen another, until he had them
cornered again in the old coop. he put
block before The door and left them
there. Hssthen went to bed again, and
slept tell be heard the miller unlocking
the mill door the next morning. -
Il Flum, get up, he said, ait ia .highs
time the mill was going" FUN was
soon dressed and Wishing good morning
TO the miller.
How did you sleep last nightI' said
the latter to him.
Oh, fsstrate, thank you; I had
little interruption at midnight. Six
gray burglars made tremendous. noise
in the mill, but ] finally silenced them,
and have now got them in prison. l now
wish to introduce you to them.
You are brave boy, Flum. I think
you are the very man for me. Well, !
where is your PRISON. want to become
acquainted with your burglars"
B . But" said Flum, interrupting, "you
must give me a great big bag. I want
to put them in that and you can then do
what you please. -
"Ob, I'll do that, Flum. When you
catch burglars will find bags to put
them in"
At last FUN had the bag in bis hands,
and led the miller down to the coop In
the corner. He quickly pulled the block
away from the hole, opened the mouth of
the bag before it, beat against the back
( of the coop, and all the six gray cats
ran into the bag. 1t was a long bag,
but he held it up, and handed it and its
contents to the miller and said:
Ny dear sir, present you with six
burglars, don't think the boys in the
mill will ever be awoke at midnight
again"
The miller laughed till his tears come
to his eyes, be then said to Fium
Here is q piece of gold for your
boldness and another for your cheerful
ness. don't think boys ought to be
paid for their good qualities, but ! have
always found little Encouragement does
no one any harm. Come, let us go in
the lot and send our burglars of. You
get little switch, and will get an
other" ssss4se .lala e. %
They went out into the lot with the |
bag and six gray cats. FUN was inyits
ed TO make a speech to them, which be |
did in the following words: an saa
Ny six gray hearers; ! want you to |
leave these premises at once. You must |
be quiet and orderly citizens, and re.
member that one Of the laws Of our mill |
is to. let the mill boys sleep till it is time
for them TO get up In conclusion, we
give you little dose of birch, and we |
hope your disease will be cured for life"
Tho bag and cats we're laid down, and |
the miller and FIum switched them |
little until they could find their way out,
and off they ran as fast as they could go.
FUN never had any more trouble with |
burglars after that, and one of the mot
toes of his life was, never be afraid of q
burglar or any thing else until you see
ii. The miller raised his wages, took |
him into partnership with him, and after
q few years Flum became a great miller