The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-09-14
AUNT POLLY QUIMBY'S BUR-
CLAIR.

was just breath of breeze signing about
nothing more; but by the time had my
head fairly pumped upon the pillow, the gale
was going it like mad. When first came to
this western country. used to be surprised at
the quick, unceremonious way storms had OF
coming upon peOple-half the time, 1t seemed
to me, out Of clear, innocent-looklng sky.
In my old home prided myself upon read.
ing the signs OF the skies but here, goodness
me !! when | thought 1t would snow, 1t was
SIRE to rain, and when could have taken a
solemn oath that the clouds were going to
pour, why, whisk they'd go, and the sun
would shine out as if it was in high glee at hav-
ing fooled me. So gave up being weather.
prophet, and took it Just as 1t came.
That night everything out of doors seemed
to be in commoton. 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 though the side of the house.
know I'm foolish old woman, but at the
thought couldn't help setting my ruffled
nightcsp straight, and smoothing back my
hair, because if should 60, why, there was
Deacon Albee's house right opposite, and
but, Lord bless me- what an l saying.
Well, naturally, was lonesome enough,
very we'll until somehow got it into my head
that burglars always chose Just such nights to
do their mischief in. After that started at
every sound, and as there were thumps and
catters on all sides, and in every direction, it
isn't to be supposed that got very much
rest
didn't stop to reason that there was very
little in my poor little house to tempt evil.
doors. knew had forty dollars and eighty
cents laid away In my poor departed Jason's
old wooden chest and ] felt that to lose that
would be a terrible thing to me.
The house was cottage with hall run
ming the length, of its two rooms-an "L'' be-
ing built beyond My room was at the back,
opening into the hall and the front room adj
joining. So my eyes went first from one door
to the other, lingering, must say, with much
more dread upon the one leading into the
hall.
''lf should be robbed of that forty dollars
and eighty cents" | said to myself. Just
then a blind went whack, and springing up in
bed, began to say the prayer my mother had
taught me-"Now lay me down to Sleep
though I'm sure 1t looked great deal more
as though was sitting up to sleep than lying
down.
''What an old fool you are, Polly Qui,nby ~
] began to say aloud, trying % get up my
courage at the sound of my own voice.
At that moment was sure heard step in
the little hall. and before I had time to move
from my place, the doorlatched lifted, the
door swung back, and there he stood. the
very object had been dreading, Mr.. Burglar
himself
"Good evening ms'am," he SAID, IN such
polite way, that found myself in the notion
of bowling tack, and saying good evening
too.
He was m,dde-aged man, with mustacle
and whiskers, and he had the brightest eyes
that ever saw in persons head. The hair
on his temples was quite gray. All IN all, he
looked like respectable Christian genteman
and not midnight thief.
"Quite II windy evening. ma'ani.' he weut
on, as he stepped into the room. You must
be lonely here by yourself"
Somehow, this touched my temper. for
got who was speaking, and answered back RS
tart as could be:
81 very much prefer to choose my company,
sir ~
He laughed, and shrugged up his Shout
"You do, indeed! So dol. In this case, I
have my preference-not you"
Then he sat down leisurely in my rocking
chair, and stretched out his feet, as though he
intended to stop awhile.
"Will you be SO kind, sir, as to go about
your businesss What do you think of your.
self, sir, to be intruding upon the privacy of
my room at this hour of the night, sir3"
He leaned his head back upon my bright
worsted tidy, and then laughed tit to kill him.
self.
mo harm Is intended you, my charming |
woman" he said. ~ swear it-no harm is ia. |
tended your
And saying this, he laughed louder and
longer than ever.
"Do you come into my house to make game |
OF me before my very eyesg" asked, my tenn |
per pretty much stirred up. "If you were a
gentleman, sir"
This was too much for HIM.
"a gentleman! Oh, ah-that's too good |
If professed to be gentleman, you'd stand |
good chance of getting your throat cut with
out SO much as by your leave, MAN, to begin |
with. gentleman With all my faults, |
thank heaven, Mat is not among them!'
"You needn't have gone on that way to
prove It," said tattly.
"Well, you are sharp old damse, aren't
your turning his big eyes upon me, and
twisting up his mouth in com;cal way which
shall never forget. 81 swear. youd'd be pref.
ty good.looking il you didn't wear such II
vide ruftie on your night.cap. Jolly, is mt 1t
lunker-1ig enough for a graveyard fence !"
Sir l said, looking very savage.
"Ma'am! !" he answered. Initiating my voice
and tone to perfection.
"Oh, If were only out of this bed, sir "
Ibegan.
"And pray, madam, what Ii there to hinder
you from getting out, I'd like to know ,"