St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-02-14

bed, he didn't see why the excuse woul
not pass as readily as the previous on
OF somnambulism. But Mrs. Duckloy
was in no mood to be trihed with.
I'll scratch your back for ye, An,
seizing her rattan, she laid 1t smartly OF
the troublesome part, to the terror anc
pain of poor Taddy, who concluded tha
too much Of good thing was decided,
worse than nothing. There, YOU Sir
that's scratching that'll last We for on,
while =
And giving him two or three parting
cuts, not confined to the region of til,
back, but falling upon the lower latitu.
DIES, which they marked like so many
geographical parallels, she dismissed hin
with Il sharp Injunction not to let him.
self he seen or heard again that night.
Taddy obeyed, and, CRYING himself to
sleep. dreamed that he was himself ;
drum, and shat Mrs. Ducklow bea
him.
Father y called Mrs. Ducklow tc
her husband, who was at the barn, dc
you know what time it is It's nine
o'clock / wouldn't think of going over
there tonight: they'll be all locked up,
and ahed and asleep, like as not
Wal, s'po>e | must DO as you say
replied Mr.. Ducklow, glad OF an excuse
not to go. Miss Beswick's visit having
LETT him IN extremely low spirits
Accordingly, after bedding down the
horse and fastening the barn, he returned
TO the kitchen; and soon the prosperous
couple retired to rest.
why, how restless you be : cxciaim-
ed Mrs. DuckIow, in the middle of the
night. WHAT'S the reason you can't
sleep ?
| don't know" groancd Mr. Duck
low. i can't help thinkin' o Miss Bes-
wick. | never was so worked up at lit
tie thing.
We'll, well, forget it, father and do
go TO sleep
i feel | ought to have gone over tc
Reubcns. And l should have zone, iii
had nj been for YOU
-'oH lI'N ull tdSbiIobIC ~ blStIle
HE said Mrs Ducklow. 'Ye might
have gone l only reminded yc how late
it was
Mr.. DuckIow groaned, and turned
over. He tried to forget Miss BeswicL>,
Reuben, and the bonds. and at last hc
fell asleep.
Father whispered Mrs. Ducklow
awaking him.
WHAT'S the matter? 2
i think-'m pretty sure-hark. l
heard somebody Citing into the kitchen
windcr =
Its your nervousness. Yet Mir.
Ducklow listened Tor further indications
OF burglary. Why can't We be quiet
and 20 to sleep, rs You said to me ,
I'm sure | heard something Any
body might have looked through the
blinds and seen us puitin.-you know
under the carpet.
Nonsense I amt at all likely
But Mr.. Ducklow was more alarmed
than he was willing TO confess lie sue
cceded in quieting his witrs apprehen-
sions; but the same time the burden OF
so.Icltudc and wahstu!HcSs seemed to pas
from her mind only 10 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 :! suddenly exclaimed Mrs.
Ducklow, starting up III bed
i thought | hi ght us well ut up end
satisfy my self, replied her husband, IN 4
low, agitaied voice.
lie had Risen and was cropping his way
TO the kitchen.
Is there anything = she inquired, at
ter listening long with chilling blood, eX-
pecting AT each moment to hear him
knocked down OF tlIrottlcd.
lie made no reply, but presently came
gliding softly back again.
i can't find no;hin'. But | never il
all my life heard the floors creak 50 .
could have sworn there was somebody
walkin' over en-
i guess you're a little excited, ant
ye! .
MOI got over that but lM heal
noises
Mr.. Ducklow, returning 10 his pillow
dismissed his fears, and once more com
posed his mind for slumber. But tho
burden Of which he had relieved his wife
now returned with redoubled force to the
bosom of that virtuous lady. 1t seeneC
as if there was only certain amount o.
available sleep in the house, and that
when one had it, the other must 90 with
out; while at the same time swarm o.
fears perpetually buzzed in and out OF
the mind, whose windows wakefulnes'
LETT open.
Father" said Mrs. Ducklow, giving
him shake.
IIcy! what t?'-arousing from his frs
sound sleep.
Don't you smell something burning
Ducklow snutied Mrs Ducklow snut;
fed they sat up in bed, and snutfed vi
vaciously i'll concert.
'No,-I can't say l do. Did you ?
jest as plain as ever smell anything
in my life, But don't so'-snuti, smut
not quite SO distinct now
Seems to me | do smell somethin',
said Mr.. Duclllow, imagination comins
to his aid. 1t cant be the matches, cal
it ?
4 thought of the matches, but 1 Ger
tainly covered them up tight
They snuiied again,-lirst one, thel
the other,-now a series of quick, shor
snutIs, then one long, deep snuff, then
snuff by both together, as if by unitin!
their energies, like two persons pullin;
at rope, they might accomplish wha
neither was equal to sing ly.
Good heavens = exclaimed Mr.. Duck
low.
why, what, father?'
Its Thaddeus. Hes been walkin' i