St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-02-07
of excessive mildness, full of sorrow and

swsring it ~
And the housewives fingers stitched
away energetically at the patch.
"Wal, wal We don't see everything," '"
Mr.. Ducklow, having removed one
boot, drew gently on the other AS it
came off, something fell out on the floor.
He picked it up, and handed it with 4
triumphant smile to Mrs, Ducklow.
"Oh, indeed is this the"
She was radiant Her hands dropped
their work, and opened the package,
which consisted Of large unsealed ell
velope and folded papers within. These
she un:olded and examined with beaming
satisfaction.
''But what made ye carry 'em in yer
boot so 2"
''To tell the truth" said Mr.. Duck
low, in a suppressed voice, - vas
afraid O. bein' robbed / never was SO
afraid o bein' robbed in my life So,
jest as got clear o the town, took il
out o my pocket" (meaning, not the
town, but the envelope containing the
papers.) ''an' tucked it down my boot
leg, Then, all the way home, was
scarct when l WAS ridn, alone, an still
more scaret when l heard anybody COM
in after me. You see, its Jest like 50
much money"
And lie arranged the window curtain
IN a manner 10 prevent the sharpest eyed
burglar from pceping in and and catching
Il glimpse OF the papers.
He neglected To secure the stairway
door, however. There, in his hiding
place behind it, stood Tad'ly, shi,erin.
in his shirt, but psepirg and listening in
Il fever OF curiosity which nothing could
chill. HIS position was such That he
could not zee Mr.. Duckluw OF the docu-
mcns. and his mind was left free TO revel
in the most daring iancies regarding the
wonderful purchase. He had not yet
fully given up the idea Of new drum,
although the image, which vaguely
shaped Itself in his mind, of Mr.. Duck
low '',ucking it down his boot leg" pre-
sented difficulties.
This is the bond, you see" Mr..
Ducklow explained ''and all these little
pons. You have only TO cut of one O
these, take it to the bank when i, i due,
and draw the interest on it i'll gold"
But suppose y1u lose the bonds :"
queried Mrs. D4cklow, regarding, not
without awe, the dcstructible paper rep
resentatiNes or SO much property.
That's what I've been thinkin' Of;
that's what's made mo 50 narvous
supposed 'twouId be like 80 much rail-
road stock, good for nothin' to nobody
hut the owner. AMI somcihn' that could
be replaced, if lost it But the man
to the bank said no,-'twns like So much
currency, and must look out for it.
That's what filled all the bushes with
, robbers rs come along the road. Aud
tell ye, twas Il relief TO feel Id got safe
home at last; though | don't see how
we're TO keep the placuy things SO we
! shan't feel uneasy about en-
Nor l neither" exclaimed Mrs.
, Ducklow, turning pale. "SupPose the
house should take fire, or burglars
should break in, | don't wonder yod
was SO particular about the matches :
Dyar me. I'd no idee twas TO he such
dangerous property | shall be think
} ing of fires and burglars ,-O-h-h-h,"
The terrified woman uttered a wild
scream for just then door flew sud-
denly open, and there burst into the room
t trrghtiul object, making headl"ng
: plunge at the precious papers. Mr.,
Dacklow sprAng back against tho table
, sat ior his supper with - force that made
I everything jar Then lie sprang forward
E again, instlnclively reaching TO grasp and
/ save from plunder the coupon bonds
+. But by tins time both lie and his wife
/ had become aware uf the nature of the
intrusion.
: "ThadIeus,' calculated the lady
- How came you here? Get up. Civ,
an account OF Yourself"
"Taddy, whose abrupt appearance ir
$ The room had b. en- altogether involunta
:, v, WAS quite innocent of any premcda
: tory designs Leaning 70 ward farthe
r and farther, in the aTdor OF discovery, h,
had, when too late to save himself, OK
t, pcrienced the phenomenon OF losing hi
II u lance, and pitched from the s.airw:,
d into the kitchen with violence tha
e threw the door back against the wal
= wi h bang, and Laid him ouI, a sprawl
is ing figure, in scanty, ghosIly apparel, o.
II the floor.
"What ye want? What We here for7
s. >ternly demanded Mr.. Ducklow, snatch
sc ing him up by one arm and shaking him
VI Don't know" iallered The luckle,
vounssicr, speaking the truth for once il
+. his lie. .'Fe;i."
sFeu, how did you come to fall
J. What are you out o bed for p
Id Don't know, w,"-snivelling and rul
bing his eyes. Didn't know l was
Sc Got up without knowing it. That
:; likely story ! How could that happel
YOU, S.r o. said Mrs. Dncklow.
y; "Doh't know, 'rhout was l got up
It, my sleep" said Taddy, who bad Oh lar
20 occasions been known to indulge in mo,
er crate somnambui>m.
as 'In your Sleep" said Mr.. Ducklov
. incredulously.
Ir. Il guess so. 1 was dreamin' yc
of brought me home a new dru;n,-tuck,
ng down yer-boot-leg," fltered TadJy.
"Stlange !" said Mr.. Ducklow, wi
n glance at his wife. "But how could
bring a drum in my bootleg p
s.Don't know, 'thout it's new kin
* one that'll shet up"
Taddy looked eagerly round, but sa
ith nothing new or interesting. except sor
curious looking papers which Mrs. Due
he low was hastily tueking into an env
ope.