, 1869-02-12
Our Hou.e yl.Ited hr a Rohh.r.

Matilda Jane has had constant dread of
thieves Tor some months. She inherited a
quantity Of silverWare (three teaspoons. a
salt celler, and soup ladle) from maternal
aunt and has ever since had an idea that all
'ne burglars in the country entertained de.
signs against that silver. She doesn't seem
70 nave care for anything else She doesn't
ior moment imagine that there's ANYTHING
else 10 the house worth stealing-and NAV
privately say that am of her opipiou. I
never experienced any Of her fears until ouite
recently, when the newspapers began 10
oriste with accounts of burglaries. These
paragraphs became so numerous that l began
to grow nervous. 1t is not surprising that
one should be careful about iuquirug into
1nusal noises about bis residence at night.
Ihe valuables one has accumulated by toll
he does not care should go to swell the dis
honest gains of the burglar.
After New'Year' dismissed nv colored
servant-l didn't propose to be left in the
lurch again-so | shipped Chloe and took
Bridget in her place The latter was ,oulG'
aud ugly. 1t is policy to have servants of
this description; the young fellows don't
haunt your kitchen, and your wife is not
jealous OF you. Arguing in this wise.
engaged Bridget, because she was empbati>
cally an ugly one. Everything passed off
pleasantly for several days, and Bridget was
fast becoming the mistress Of the house.
Matilda Jane struggled against the doom
that overshadOwed her, but Intellectually.
One by one her stays we're knocked from
under her, and orders dsobeyed. In fact,
Matilda Jane was fast losing her independ.
ence, and settling into astate of silent mel
ancholy. Bridget did as she pleased. and
would inform Matilda Jane, if she happened
to 60 into the kitchen, that her place was
in the paror, and that she had better remain
there. Between the fear of burglars and
Bridget, Matilda James life was not the pleas.
ATTEST in the world.
Affairs were in this condition, when, a
few nights ago, was awakened from sound
slumber by Matilda Jane, who poked me in
the ribs, aud, in hoarse whisper, exclaimed.
Hush ?
what is the matter, my dear 2 l asked.
Hush ! Robbers in the house, exclaimed
my wife, and they are after my silver
Nonsense, my dear, it's only your imagin.
ation.'
1T is not Imagination, Tim; 1 hear foot.
steps; heard the front door unlocked p
Sure enough, upon listening, / heard a
shoeless foot carefully ascending the stairs.
got out OF bed hastily, and possessing nv
self of my revolver, commenced search for
the intruder By the dim light of the hall
lamp he was seen pursuing his way in the
direction of the servants room. raised
my pistol and attempted to take aim, but
was somewhat nervous. had never shot at
map before, and l then trembled the least
bit lest | should miss him. When thought
| had him, pulled the trigger One bound
and yell like an Indian-then be rolled
upon the floor shouting, Murder p Watch ?
Police p
Matilda Jane began screaming at the top
Of her voice, for the dear creature imagined
the burglar had killed me.
The wounded man rolled over the floor,
apparently in great agony, groanipg, and
crying, 'Bedad, run here quick, Bridget,
I'm dead entirely ?
Bridget dressed in her night>gown, rush>
ed frantically from her room and threw her.
self on the body of the burglar, calling him
'Darlint,' 'Mavourneen,' and other pet names,
which at once disclosed to me the nature
and character of her attachment l was
surprised beyond the power of expression.
With my abbreviated night-garment futter>
ing around my body and the chill air max,
ing itself seDsibly felt around may bare legs,
stood with open mouth and protrudiDg
eyes, contemplating the scene Unable to
restrain my curiosity, demanded 10 know
what the devil all this meant
Hes me husband, and yes kilt him ?
'Yis, Sir, I'm kilt, but barring the hurting
l forgive ye!'
Bridget, is this man your husband p
oh, yis, sir, but you've kilt him
stop your bowling be amt dead; but
want to know what he's doing here at this
time of night?'
After a time, the man becoming satisfied
that be was not damaged, got up, and then
1 learned that Bridget had failed to tell US
that she was a married woman, fearing that
if she did SO, we would not take her; and
the husband was in the habit of coming to
see her late at night. 1t was fortunate that
my hand trembled when took aim at him.
That's how our house was robbed.