National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-02-09
"Is the garden gate open ~
No; but | have tho key"

81 dare say can find a piece. III
sce."
Amelia disappeared from the balcony
but returned almost Immediately.
Here it is"
"Let one end OF it down to me, and III
fasten it to the rope, aud you can draw i
up aud secure it. There are two larg
hooks to iasten il to the balcony"
Amelia followed Digby's directions, an,
in few seconds the ladder was firml,
secured.
"Now, my darling, all you have to do i
to descend"
"Oh, Mr.. Chick, Pm so frightened
Suppose | were to fall2 really daren'
venture alone. Oh, do come up and assis
INC 7"
"Certainly | WILL" replied Digby; ant
be mounted the ladder.
At this moment the dog before alluded
to began to bark violently, and directly
afterward the garden gate was heard t
open, and heavy footstep to approach.
"Oh, dear me p almost shrieked amelia
"whatever will become of us2 It's tht
policeman. How very unfortunate II,
has duplicate key, and sometimes walk,
round the garden at night to see that all il
right"
What shall | do? asked Digby il
agony.
"Crouch down on the top of the water
butt, and very likely he'll not see you
and give me the LADDER
Our hero did as he was told, and
Amelia pushed to her window and put out
her light, as the heavy footsteps came
nearer and nearer.
The policeman, who evidently fancied
that all was well, seemed about to depart,
when suddenly the lid Of the water-butt
tipped aside, and splash dash went poor
Digby into five feet Of water.
Halo p said the policeman to himself;
" what's that Burglars, or Pm very
much mistaken. Blessed if they amt in
the water-butt. Now, then, young fellow,
eau see you. Come out of that, will
you?"
Now nothing was easier to say than this,
but few things more difficult of accom-
plishment. II any should doubt the truth
of this assertion, let them try the expert
ment.
''Hush y said Ioor Digby, as well as he
was able. rom the interior of the water
butt. Hush can assure you, police
man. that it's all right
"Oh, of course it is" returned the Of
ficer, ironically; "nothing could be right
er. How else should you be in that water
butt 7"
"Help me out, there's a good fellow"
That's cool" answered the policeman.
Its great deal worse than that it's
awfully cold in here. say, policeman do
help me out IN not thief"
"Of course not, my lad-nobody ever
gives hisself that character"
slt's mistake 1t is indeed"
That | believe, or else you wouldn't
be in there"
Just then the window above was OPEN
ed, and the major appeared in his dress
ng-gown and night-cap.
"W hats the matter, ell? What's the
meaning of all this riot and disturbance in
-he middle of the night? Amelia, my
owe, bring me my seven-shot revolver.
Policeman, what does all this mean, eh 2"
"Well, Sir, it means just this-there's
,een an attempt made to break into your
house; but I've got the burglar, and he's
inside the butt"
"Bless my heart you don't say 500"
aid The major. "Climb up on the stand,
policeman, aDd seize the ruffian by the
lair of his head then turn your bull's-eye
IN to his face and let's see what he's like"
The policeman clambered up the side of
he butt, and followed the majors instruc-
ions implicitly
"Why, hang me-" roared the major,
If it isn't the young fellow who lives
ext door!''
"Yes, major, it's me-" said the unhappy
)igby, rendered desperate by the situa-
ion.
Then, Sir, what the devil are you doing
lslde my water-buttl'
Excuse me, major. I'm very sorry z;
ut it's quite an accident. | didn't mean
0 do it. Let me out, and III never get
lside it again.
"Ha an idea strikes me-" gasped the
laior, as though overpowered by the force
it. Amelia, this is your doing. l
.el certain that you are responsible for
his. Go and shut yourself in the draw
lg-room directly, and don't quit it until
give you leave"
Don't be angry with her major. It's
Il my fault-it is indeed.n
Confound your impudence Sir You
limit as IRuch do you Policeman, keep
i'm there-don't let him escape. Hang
Tll-Tllmu him Somebody give
lie my revolver, and I'll blow him to
.oms p
"Oh, major" cried poor Digby, "spare
e, spare me | had no idea of this
"Stop him making that nolse-we shall
arm the whole neighborhood Dip his
Fad under water, and give him another
lcking. policeman"
Up came the victim to the surface again,
iffing and blowing.
"Major, major-spare me. Think of
y youth and inexpericncc. Don't cut
e off in my prime; but let me go this
me, and | promise you that I'll never at
mpt such thing again. Oh, MAJOR
tiect-yon were a young man once" !
" What, Sir! Do you mean to say that ,
am an old man now 2"
"Ot, no, major-I don't say any thing ,
the kind. Quite the contrary, major
lite the contrary"
snow, Sir, I'll give you one chance for
ur life, and mind you speak the truth
Iuivocate in the slightest degree, and !
u are dead man Were you not at.
ppting to elope with my daughter? ? {
We him another dip, policeman, to assist a
m to answer" [
"Yes, yes-I was ~ blurted out poor I
gby, almost suilccated by this INNER t
IN.
" Oh, you precious scoundrel! You were {
re you Now then, if | let you go !
is time, will you ever repeat this at t
nptl" v
|" Never, major-never," was the CUR
ID out reply. v