The Lincoln County herald., 1872-08-07
AUNT POLLY'S ADVENTURE WITH
A BURGLAR.

Oh, my. didn't the wind blow? When
l wont around the house that nipht,
locking the doors and windows before
going to bed, there was just breath Of
breeze sighiuy about-nothing more |;
bat By the time had fairly pumped
upon the pillow, the gale was going 1t
like mad. When l first came to the
Western country l used to be surprised
st the quick unccremonious way storms
had Of coming upon people-haIf the
time, il appeared to me, out Of clesr
innocent looking sky.
In my old home prded myself upon
reading tho signs of the SKY; but here,
goodness me, when though it would
snow, it was sure to rain, and when 1
could have taken q solemn oath tha, the
clouds were going to pour, why, whlsk
they'd 60, and the sun would shine out
as though in high glee at having fooled
me. So l gave up being weather
prophet, and took it just US It came.
That night everything out Of doors
seemed to be in commotitn. The loose
shingles on the house clattersd up and
down, the windows shook, the blinds rat
tied, and half the time it seemed to me
that the bed on which l lay would be
blown through the side Of tho house. l
know I'm foolish cid woman, but at the
thought couldn't help setting my ruff. d
night cap straight. aud smoothing back
my hair, because if | should go, why
there was Deacon Albees house oppo-
site, and but Lord bless me, what ain |
saying
Well, naturally, I was lonesome
enough, without chick or child TO speak
to, but | did very we'll until somehow l
got it into ny head that burglars always
choose just such nights as this to do their
mischief in. After that l started at
every sound, and as there we're thumps
and clatters on all sidet, and in every
direction, it isn't to bs supposed that |
got much rest
didn't stop to reason that thsro was
very little in my poor little house to
tempt svil.doers. l knew l had forty
dollars and eighty cents laid away in my
poor departed Jason's old wooden chest,
and I felt to lose that would be q terri
Bile thing to me.
The house was cottage, with q hall
runaiDg the length Of Its two rosms-an
~" being built beyond. My room was
at tho back, opening into the hall and the
front room adjoining. So my eyes went
6rst from one door to the other, linger-
ing, l must say, with more dread upon
the one leading into the ball.
"If l should be robbed of that forty
dollars and eighty cents said I to my
self. Just then blind went whack, and
springing up in bed, l began to say the
prayer my mother had taught me-"Nov
lay me down to sleep, though I'm sure
it looked great deal more as though
was sitting up to sleep than laying down
"What an old fool you are, Polly
Quimby"! | began to say aloud, trying
to get up my courage by the sound Of
my own voice.
At that moment l wes sure heard {
step in the little hall, and before hac
timo to move from my place, the door
latch lifted, the coor swung back, anc
there he stood, the very object that hat
been dreading. Mr.. Burglar himself:
Good evening ma am" he said, il
such a polite way, that l found mysel
in tho motion Of bowling back, aud saying
good evening too.
lie was a middle aged man, with mus
tachs and whisksrs, and he had th'
brightest eyes l ever saw in person
head. The hair on his temples wa
quite gray. All in all, he looked like .
respectable christian gentleman, and no
q midnight thief.
"Quite q windy evening ma'am," b.
went on as he stepped into the room
"You must be lonely, here by yourself.
Somehow. this touched my temper.
, forgot who was speaking, and answered
back ss tart as could be.
II prefer to choose my company
; sir I"
Q "You do, indeed So do /. In thi
case 1 have my prefsrsncs-not you"
Then he sat down lsisurely in n
rocking chair, and stretched out his feel
= as though he intended to stop awhile
"Will you b 90 kiud, sir, as to &
, about your business What do 70
think Of yourself, to be intruding upo
the privacy of my room at this hour Q
i. the night, sir?"
He leaned his head back upon m
bright worstsd tidy, and laughed ct I
. kill himself.
"No harm is intended you, my charm
=. ing woman" he said. IL swear it-n
b harm is intended you"
And saying this, hs laughed louds
aud longer than ever.
DO you come into my house to max
game Of me before ny syss'" ssked
my temper pretty much stirred up. ~
you we're q gentleman. sir"
Yhis was toe much for him.
"A gentleman? F? Oh, aw-sha.s to
good III proissssd to be . gentleman
W you'd stand . good chance Of gsttin
your throat cut without 80 much as b
your leave, ma'am, 70 begin with !
gentleman With oil my faults, than
heaven, that 10 not among them T.