The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-02-28

horse and fastening the barn, he returned
to the kitchen; and soon the prosperou
couple retired to rest.
why, how restless you bel exclaimet
Mrs Ducklow, i'll the middle of the night
What's the reason you can't sleep?'
: 4 don't know groaned MIR. Ducklow.-
can't help thinking of Miss Beswick.
never was SO worked at any little thing
| well, WE'LL forget it father; and do go t,
sleep
Il feel ought to have gone over to Reu
bens! And should have gone, if it ha'
not been for you'll
Now how unreasonable to blame Inc!
said Mrs. Ducklow. Ye might have gone
| only reminded you how late it was
Mr.. Dncklow groaned, and turned over
He tried to forget Miss. Beswick, Reuben
and the bonds, and at last he fell asleep.
Father! whispered Mrs, Ducklow, awak
ening him.
whats the matter?'
Il think-Tm pretty sure-hark! Iheart
something sounded like somebody gitting
into the kitchen winder!'
It's your nervousness Yet Mr. Duck.
low listened for further indica tions of bur
glary. why can't ye be quiet and go *
sleep, as you said to me-?
Pm sure | heard something Anybody
might have looked through the blinds anC
seen us putting-you know--under tht
carpet
Nonsense! It amt at all likely
But Mr.. Ducklow was more alarmed
than he was willing to confess. He sue
ceeded in quoting his wifes apprehensions
Int AT the time the hurHa,, Of SoIipi.
tUde and wakefulness seemed to pass from
her mind only to rest upon his own. She
soon after fell asleep; but he lay awake
hearing burglars in all parts Of the house
for an hour longer.
What now p suddenly exclaimed Mrs
Ducklow starting up in bed.
i thought might as we'll git up and
satisfy myself replied her husband in a
low agitated voice.
He had risen and was cropping his way
to the kitchen.
is there anything p she inquired, after
listening long with chilling blood, expect
ing at each moment to hear him knock
down or throttle the intruder.
He made no reply, but presently came
gliding softly back again
i can't find nothin'. But never in all
my life heard the floors creak SO {! | could
have sworn there was somebody waIkin'
| over EN-.
Il guess your little excited amt ye /?
No. got over that but | did hear
noises |!
Mr. Dueklow returned to his pillow, dis
missed his fears, and once more composed
his mind for slulnber But the burden Of
| ,ybicL ha ha6 top,poror;l~ roI;o.n5 l, s.,
now returned with redoubed force to the
bosom Of that virtuous lady. 1t seemed as
if there was only a certain amount of avail
able sleep in the house and that, when one
had it, the other must go without; while
at the same time swarm of fears perpet-
ually buzzed in and out of the mind, whose
windows wakefulness left open.
Father !! said Mrs. Ducklow, giving him
violent shake.
Hey ? what arousing from his first
sound sleep.
Don't you smell something burning p
| Ducklow snuffed Mrs Ducklow suuffed;
they sat up in bed, and snuffed vivaciousy
in concert
Mo- can't say do. Did you p
Jest as plain as ever | smelt anything
in my life ! But don't so'-snuf, snuff,
mot quite so distinct now.'
Seems to me | do SMELL somethin',' said
Mr. Ducklow, imagination coming to his
aid. 1T can't be the matches, eau it p
4 thought of the matches, but certain
ly covered EN- up tight
They snuffed again, first one then the
other,-now series of quick, short snufs,
then one long, deep snuff, then snuff by
both together, as if by uniting their ener-
gies, like two persons pulling at rope,
they might accomplish what neither was
equal to singly.
Good heavens exclaimed Mr.. Ducklow.
why, what, father ?
It's Thaddeus He's been walking in his
sleep. That's what we heard. And now
he's got the matches and set the house
afre!'
He bounded ont of bed he went STUN
bling over the chairs in the kitchen, and
gathering among the tins in the pantry, and
rushing wildly up the kitchen stairs, only
to find the matches all right, Taddy fast
asleep, and no indications anywhere, either
to eye or nostril, of anything burning.
Twas all your Imagination, mother y
my imagination You was Jest as
frightened as was. I'm sure l can't tell
what it was | smet; | can't smell it now.
Did you feel for the-you know what p
Mrs. Ducklow seemed to think there were
evil CUES listening, and it was dangerous to
mention by name what was uppermost in
the minds of both.
wish you would jest put your hand
and see if they're all right; for I've thought
several times | heard somebody taking
em out.
Mr. Ducklow had been troubled by SIM,
lar fancies so getting down Oh his knees
he felt in the dark for ie bonds.
Good gracious = he CALCULATED.
what now p cried Mrs Duckow =
They ant gone, be they ? You don't
say they're gone p
'Sure's the world NO. here they be !
didn't feel in the right place.
How you did frighten me My heart al
most hoped out of my mouth = Indeed,
the shock was sufficient to keep the good
woman awake the rest of the night.
Daylight the next morning dissipsIed
their doubts, and made both feel that they
had been the victims of unnecessary and
foolish alarms.
4 hope ye won't git so worked up anoth-
er night, said Mr.. Ducklow Its no use;
we might live in the house hundred years,
and never hear of a robber or a fire. Ye
only excite yerself, and keep me awake
4 should like to know if you didn't git
excited, and rob me of my sleep jest as much
as did you J retorted the indignant house
wife.
" You begun it; you fust put it into my
head. But never mind; it can't be helped
/ now e'S have brea fast &c cOon &c We cap.
then I'll run over and see Reuben
why not harness up, and let me ride
over with ye?
Very well; mebby thatll be the best way.
Come Taddy! Ye must wake up Fly
round You'll have lots o chores to do this
morning =
What's the matter tn my bseeches /?
snarled Taddy. Some plaguy things stuck
to EN- 7
1t was Mrs Ducklow's apron, trailing be-
*