The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1872-10-17
AlG11t Polly QUi11by's Bur-
gLGr.

VII NY buI AAah lhC hAA1 Wv" .
| When went around the house that
night, locking doors and windows be-
fore going TO bed, there was just q
breath of breeze signing about-noth-
ing more, but by the time l had my
head pumped upon the pillow, the
gale was going it like mad. When l
first came to this Western country, L
used to be surprised at the quick, un-
/ ceremOniOus way storms had OF COM
ing upon people-half the time, it
seemed to me, out of clear, innocent
looking sky.
In my old home 1 prided myself
upon reading the signs of the skies,
but here, goodness me! when 1
thought it would snow, it was sure to
rain, and when I could have taken a
solemn oath that the clouds were
going to pour, why, whisk they'd go,
and the sun shine out although it was
in high glee at having fooled me. So
l gave up being a weather prophet,
and took it just as it came.
That night out of doors everything
seemed to be in cOmmOtion. The
loose shingles on the house clattered
up and down, the windows shook, the
blinds ratified, and half the time it
seemed TO me that the bed on which
lay would be blown through the side
of the house. I know Pm a foolish
old woman, but at the thought l
couldn't help setting my ruftied night
cap straight anu snTOotlaiuy Z back my
hair, because IfI should go, why, there
was Deacon Albee's house right OppO-
site, and-but Lord bless me, what am
1 saying?
Well, naturally, 1 was lonesome
enough, without child or chick TO
speak to, but l did very well until l
somehow got it into my head that
burglars always choose just such
nights to do their mischief in. After
that, 1 started at every sound, and as
there were thumps and clatters on all
sides and in every direction, 1t isn't
to besupposed that got much rest.
I didn't stop to reason that there
was very little in my poor departed
Jason's old wooden chest, and L felt
to lose that would be terrible thing
tome.
The house was cottage with hall
running the length of its two rooms
an al" being built beyond. My room
was at the back, opening into the
LdlA anu ALOAH 4OOL4 AyO2AAAh6s ~
nv eyes went first from one door to
another, lingering, must say, with
more dread upon the one leading into
/ the hall.
sIf should be robbed of that forty
dollars and eighty cents L said to
myself. Just then a blind went
whack, and springing up in bed, 1 be-
gan to say the prayer my mother
taught me-"NOw lay me down TO
Sleep" though 1 am sure it looked a
great deal more as though 1 was sit
ting up to sleep instead of lying down.
"What an old fool you are, Polly
QuimbyT I began to say aloud, try
ing to get up my courage Dy the sound
of my own voice.
AT that moment was sure L heard
a step in the little hall, and before l
had time to move from my place, the
door latch lifted, the door swung
back, and there he stood, the very OBJ
| ject had been dreaming about, Mr..
| Burglar himself. "GOOd evening,
ma'am," he said, in such polite way
] that / found -SsaS,s-iS-s sEzS InOtIOH VI
lowing back and saying good eve
ming, too.
He was a middle-aged man, with
moustache and Whiskers, and he had
/ the brightest eyes that ever saw in
a PERSONS head. The hair on his
temples was quite gray. ALI in all,
he looked like respectable Christian
| gentleman, and not midnight thief.
"Quite windy evening, ma'am, "
he went on, as he stepped into the
room. "You must be lonely here by
yourself" -
Somehow, this touched my temper.
l forgot who was speaking, and an
sWered back as tart as could be:
81 prefer to choose my company
sir !'
He laughed, and shrugged up his
shoulders.
"You do, indeed! so do I. In thi:
case L have my preference
not you"
Then he sat down leisurely in my
rocking chair, and stretched out his
feet as though he intended to stoI
awhile.
"W1l you be so kind, sir, as to gC
about your business? What do yOI
think of yourself, sir, to be intrudinl
upon the privacy of my room, at thii
hour of the night, sir ?n
He leaned his head back upon my
bright wOrsted tidy, and laughed ii
to kill himself.
mo harm is intended you, my
charming woman" he said. ''I swea
it-nO harm is intended you"
And saying this, he laughed loude
and longer than ever.
"Do yoa come into my house t,
make game of me before my very
eyes ?n 1 asked, my temper prett,
much stirred up. ''If you were a gen
tlemaD, sir"
This was too much for him.
ga gentleman Oh, ah, that's to-
good? If professed to be a gentle
man, you'd stand a good chance G
getting your throat cut without s
much as by your leave, ma'am, to be
gin withl A gentlemani With a.
my faults, thank heaven that is nc
among them"
"You needn't have gone on in tbs
way to prove it" / said, tartly.
"Well, you are a sharp old damsel
aren't you," turning his big eyes upO
me, and twisting up his mouth in
cOmical way, that 1 never shall fol
get. II swear you'd be pretty goo
looking if you didn't wear such wild
ruffle on your night cap. Jolly, ism
it lunker-big enough for a gray
yard fence ~
"Sirn 1 said, looking very savag'
"Ma'am ~ he answered; imitatin
my voice and tone to perfection.
, "Oh, if were only out Of this beC
sir?" began.
"And pray, madam, what is
hinder you from getting out, I'd Lib
to know?'
"Do you intend to insult me, yo
good for nothing creature ?" Oh,
the wind could only blow you away