The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-05-12

ries of stentorian shouts on the back piazza,
gradually receding as he found himself quite
unheard, and was obliged to go to the CABINS IN
person. 1t was some time before ne came IN
again, followed by servant. with the WOOD,
but knew at once by the peculiar expression
of his mouth-the lurking laugh, as 1t were, IN
either corner-that some mischief was atoat.
sDick has seen the Kriss- -Kringles," !" said Lu-
cy. who knew, the expression as we'll as did
siTell us about them Dick, but don't bring them
"Kriss-Kringles I' said Dick, bursting into
what seemed an irrepressible laugh, from no
cause whatever. Ihayen't seen them, I assure
you and as for bringing them here-what put
such an idea into your head? Give me glass
of egg-nog, Scip believe I will try that"
Scip-the diminutive for Scipio-obeyed /;
and CHANGING to look up, saw that he, too,
was indulging in broad grin.
Something has been concocted," 1 said, de-
cidedly. "Scip, what mischief is your Mass
Dick after now Z"
"He told me to ham him some egg-nog," re-
piled Scip, grinning more than ever.
'eHe has no business with any more egg -nog," J"
said Lucy who always took it upon herself to
lecture Dick in elder sisterly fashion, princi-
pally because he had been in love with her
ever since they were both in pinafores. Glow
ever. he may have little, and then he must
go. We have finished the dolls, and it is time
for respectable people to be at home"
"Must go, too 7' queried Harry, looking at
Anna. He was an admirer of hers, while
had always been considered rather heterodox
young person, because stoutly declared my
intention of inaugurating a novelty, by marry
ing out of the family. "Must go, too 2"
"Of course you must" said I, before Anna,
who was wonderfully lazy, summoned courage
enough to open her lips. IL wonder you ask
such foolish questions, when twelve o'clock is
striking, and Christmas is here. Christmas
gift, and good night"
I pushed them toward the door, but, of course
they must needs stop for numberless "Christ-
mas gifts" and congratulations, and laughter,
and good nights, so that it was at least half
past twelve before they were finally out of the
:. house, and the front door barred on their exit.
Then Lucy started for the back piazza, to call
Scip, who usually slept in the house, when
papa and Jack were away, but stopped her.
Mamma told Scip he might stay out to-
night" I said. 'It would seem hard to bring
him in, you know, when they are all dancing,
and it is Christmas Eve. There is nothing to
be afraid of, am sure; but will 60 after my
pistol, and look over the house, nevertheless"
ran up stairs in the dark, for knew exact
| " where the pistol was, but as [ went, could
not help wishing that Dick had held his tongue
about the burglar who was to be concealed IN
the dining-room, and follow me all round the
house One does not mind such suggestions in
daylight, or in well-lightcd room, with plen-
| ty of people to keep one company; but at
night, even if one is protected by pistol, and
the proud consciousness of being able to hit
the ace of hearts at fifteen paces one will think
of them with sensations the reverse OF comfor-
table. WhenI came down again, Anna and
Lucy were in the sitting-room, where the
Christmas tree for the little ones stood ready
decked out; and when, having finished my
search there, Istarted for the dining-room, they
both went with me, though 1 stopped and ex-
postulated. -,
though not probable, that some one might clude
us, as he described. Now, if we went separate
" into the different rooms"
Here I was interrupted by an indignant cry
from both. 1t was very well for me to talk
that way, / had pistol. But to think that
they, who were quite defenceless, would go
| rambling about by themselves in search of
burglars, it was absurd.
every wei" said /, with sigh of resigna-
ton, "come on"
They came on accordingly. Every place
was investigated, and nothing larger than
mouse was started Then I examined the win
dows. 1t was Scip's business to fasten them
down after supper, and he always did it very
exactly; still, generally locked, for cautions
sake, and tonight my caution was rewarded.
| I found one of them unfastened, the shutter
| loose, and the sash little raised, just as if
somebody had jumped in from the piazza, and
pulled it hastily down. While I was making
this fast, we were startled bya sound that SEEM
ed to proceed from the back parlor, and was
apparently the fall of some chair or table. l
turned round quickly, and we looked at each
other with very wide open eyes.
"Good heavens! What can that be ?" cried
Lucy.
'it sounded like some-somebody," said An
ma.
ut must be Tiger or Gray" I said. (Tiger
being dog, and Gray cat
II don't see how either of them would be IN
there" said Lucy; "but come, let us see:"
With a candle apiece, and the pistol in the
van, we went to see. When we entered the
Every chair was in its place every table rest
ed on its natural legs; and nothing was dis
turbed, except one end of the hearth-rug, which
had apparently been turned up by hasty foot.
"Some of the children of course" said Lu-
cy, in her philosophical way, when l pointed
to that. eLook behind the curtains, and make
haste, Minnie-do. 1t is SO cold"
looked behind all the curtains, and under
all the tables, and even into certain bay win
dow, that was generally rather prone to shirk-
ing, simply because it was the best hiding place
in the house, but 1 found nothing-not even
mouse this time Then we went into the front
parlor, and thence back into the sitting-room,
where the fire was dying down, and the Christ
mas tree looked quite spectral in its dim corner.
"Now let us go to bcd," said Anna, with
vawn and although could not conquer q sort
of vague, unsatisfed feeling, I was ashamed to
propose another search So the lamps were
put out, and we went up stairs All the cham
! bers were occupied except one (Jack's), so l
had only to examine this and the garret steps,
before taking myself to my rest. Having ac-
complished this, we said good night and sepa-
rote5 for although Lucy and Anna adhered to