Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-12-27

doors and windows were properly fastened
For a constitutional dread of burglars was
one of my idiosyncrasies and had fre
quently been demonstrated with f,r looking
upon them as supernatural beingS--inas
much as, from the nature of my searches
before retiring l evidently expected then
to lodge in bureau-drawers, and store them
selves away in small boxes a
Mrs. Beverley had frequently spoken to
me OF brother whom, as the country peo-
pie say, she seemed to set grea. store
by )" and who was now studying profes
Sion In distant city. He was to Join her
III New Hampshire, and return with her on
visit; and she had expressed strong de-
sire that we should see each other. | was
quite persuaded that she hoped a great deal
from this seeing and | must confess that
the fact OF bis being Mrs. Beverley's broth
er threw halo of strange interest around
Mr.. Esselton.
often found myself thinking Of him and
wondering what he was like--or rather
what he would strike me as being like for,
of course, his sister had drawn her own im-
pressions of him for my benefit, and if
these Impressions were correct, he must be
an uncommony nice fellow His photo
graph was decidedly handsome and with
out ever having seen him, felt pretty well
acquainted with him in advance, and wait
ed rather impatiently for. October TO bring
Mrs. Beverley back to town. / had even
decided how to do" my hair, and what
dress to appear in, on my first presentation;
but could not help wishing that something
unforeseen and romantic would occur to
bring about that first meeting in way en-
tirely different from the usual hackneyed
course.
had my wish, as time will show
About half of the two weeks had worn
away, when very warm day and night,
that called forth experience and compari-
sons from all the oldest inhabitants" !"
came down upon us with fury !; and after
gasping through the day in some sort of
fashion, lett my couch at midnight in ut
ter disgust at my folly in supposing that
could sleep with the thermometer high up
among the nineties, and betook myself to
the window
Certain sounds that proceeded from the
next room convinced me beyond doubt
that Ben, though present in body was alb
sent in mind /; and with the pleasant con
seriousness of being the only person in the
house at all alive to the affairs of this mum
dane sphere, turned my attention to the
glorious moonlight, that, as Hood enthusi-
astically says
Makes earth's commonest scenes appear
! All poetic romantic, and tender"
But while engaged in vague speculations
about the moon and stars, u sudden noise
brought my thoughts earthward again !;
and glancing toward Mrs. Beverley's back
premises, | actually saw man on the up
per verandah opening one of the bedroom
| windows.
My heart almost stood still with terror :;
but by ID Icarful effort, restrained myself
from screaming--for Ben was very hard to
awaken, and both our throats might be cut
before this was accomplished.
Not venturing a second look, | retreated
trembling from the window, and proceeded
to the task of arousng Ben as quietly as
possible. ....,- ......
for my especial comfort, there was no time
lest in effecting an entrance and had my
brother been capable of appreciatns the
vision, he would have seen wild creature
in white drapery calling his name in a
nightmare whisper of terror--but, of course
without producing the slightest effect. B.
Ben always slept with revolvers under
his pillow, which made me chary Of touch
ing him-for firearms affected me as a
drawn sword did James the First but
something must be done speedily, as fam
cied that lmpudent man perhaps loading
himself at that very minute with movea-
bles.
"Get up !" shouted, waxing stronger,
"Ben Ben Get up. this moment !"
"'Tisn't time yet" grunted my provoking
brother, now half awake, as he turned over
like the sluggard.
never had any patience with people
who almost require charge of artillery to
bring them back to their sober senses and
shaking him now with right good will, ]
screamed, Thieves Robbers Fire / !
Get up !" ..... .. ~
A head that would have served for Me-
dusa started from the pillow and ont
came those horrible revolvers, pointing di-
rectly at me. A frantic yell, that tried
in vain to smother, issued from my lips
and Ben; now quite awake, shouted out at
me /:
"Maria What in the name of heaven
IS the matter ! Do stop that confounded
noise I" ..s ...
: He had quite forgotten to call me Min
| ME-" as l always insisted on being called
? being terribly in earnest, he had gone bach
t to the humdrum appellation that reused my
| intense disgust. l was too much taken NJ
= with the revolvers, just now. to remind hin
of his omission, and between my terror o
= of the weapons, and his desire to use then
3 Immediately upon somebody, we seemed
scarcely likely to come to al understand
t ing. -.r. D.. ,.- ..-.. - g." ..-F
t Finally, however, Ben was made to un
derstand what had seen and being re
: quested to retire while he donned few ar
\ ticles of clothing, l waited in breathles
a suspense for his temperance.
q "The fellow will not be in d hurry" sail
! he, in answer to my fears that he woul
: escape {" he knows the family are out G
|. town. shall get policeman, and secui
r him quietly"
0 And bidding me be of good courage, h
8 closed the front door, and looked up an
J. down the street. | covered in the parlo
u half disposed to rush after Ben, and insis
:, upon accompanying him +; but, l was nc