Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-04-11
Pa handed me a.smau piece of paper,

A friend warns you"
I nearly dropped on the floor with
fright, but quite agreed with pa that
auntie oughtn't to be told; and then we
held council of war about things.
Pa brought down his grandfather's
rifle, that he had used during the Revo-
luton, but none of the triggers or
things would work; and if they had,
we had no bullets to put in it, and SO
we propped it up against the hatrack
| in the hall, to look prepared. After
that there was nothing left to defend
the house with but the drawing room
poker, because Bridget had the table
knives locked up, and we dared not ask
for them, for she had only been with us
week, and she might be one of the
gang.
Oh, how I did wish for dear Vincent
as stole up stairs, for pa and 1 had
agreed that we had better pretend to
have gone to bed, and let things take
their own course.
Well, locked my own door, and sat
shivering on the bedside in such fright
heard pa preten ding to snore loudly,
in order to deceive Bridget, who slept
just above him, if she happened to be
one of the wretches; but knew he was
heating the poker over his lamp all the
time.
Everything was awfully quiet until
about one o'clock, when 1 heard Curl
GUS sound down stairs, like some one
softly opening the French window in
the drawing-room and presently
heard poor pa stealing past my door, so
as not to let me know what was happen
ing. 1 waited until he got got past, and
/ seizing "a little dagger Vincent had given
me for paper-cutter, stole softly after
him.
| 7
gently closed and locked it as L passed.
Pa did not hear me, but glided softly
on in front, with the poker in his hand.
felt quite like a heroine, and not
bit afraid, though I knew I'd faint as
soon as I saw the dreadful wretches
but couldn't dream of letting pa be
murdered, without trying to help him.
Pa stopped at the hall door, and open
ing it very quietly, stole out on the
verandah, and L followed him. He
went to the French-window, through
which faint light shone, and stoleup
beside him. He fairly jumped when he
saw me, but put my finger on his lips;
and, bending forward, we both looked
through an open-work rose in the lace
curtains.
} The gas was turned up to a tiny jet,
and we could see stout little man sit
ting in a chair with his back toward US.
and wine glass in his hand, and oh |!
L nearly screamed For there was
Aunt Judith, all dressed in her new
promenade suit, sitting close beside the
wretch, with her hand upon his shoul-
derl
Dora l' said pa, supporting himself
on the poker, "am dreaming?'
"No, dear" 1 answered, that's
auntiel'
/ "She's in state of somna ambulism,' ~
) said pa, solemnly. "Don't scream, Dora /;
the most fatal effects have resulted from
suddenly rousing person in her state" F."
: He thought I'd have screamed out,
7 when auntie actually kissed the burglar,
and then laid her crimped wig on his
shoulder.
: "This is dreadful 7" said pa, 1viping
t his forehead with the tail of his dressing
: gown. "How are we to rescue your
= aunt from her fearful position ?''
t "Hushl" returned; "letus listen to
3 what they are saying"
: The window was partially open, and
/ we could hear every word distinctly.
o "My angelic Judith" said voice
y that made us both start, this trusting
j. devotion is beautiful; but I cannot re
Q pay it by treachery. No, not at all -
= "Don't mention it, dearest general
o responded Aunt Judith, in a very wide
d awake voice indeed. "You are my
guiding-star, and I'll follow you to the
Q end of the world ~
b "Thank you, ma'amr' said the gene
d raj. "But, 'heml would it distress yot
e excessively, if were to tell you tina
t I'm not general, at all 2"
d "My dear trihern CALCULATED auntie
d Jerking her head from his shoulder, OF
It which the general rose to his feet.
l. It's a true BILL" he continued; "fo
| T ~ in h,
y Pumpkinville Invincibles."
# What is rank to the true hearth
e said auntie, in dulcet voice. "Have
:. not your lover"
d "Away with this unworthy disguise 7
d roared the general, putting off his wig
r. and trampling his green spectacles un
7, der foot. 81 love, 1 adore you; but
l, cannot continue to impose on sucl
'r trusting innocence. l am a marriet
II man, with three small children and
d devoted wife; but saw and loved you
1T 1 assumed this disguise in order to vii
you, and bear you to a foreign shore
Ie My name is Samuel Popkins, and yo
IF are deceived angel /"
le The deceived angel stood for an in
1T slant perfectly motionless, and then
& shrieking Historically, tore off he
d crimped coifure, and flung it in San
ot Popkins' face.
y You wretchT' she screamed. GO
D, always knew that you were a low repro
It bate, and that that vile Vincent an,
1T you have concocted this shameful pic
le to get rid of me, because kept my ey
re on that mink of my poor brether'sI''
a Hold your tongue, Judithl' Shout
TO ed my dear pa, rushing in through tn
al window. "You shameless old woman
it meeting strange men at the dead {
q. night, ana calling my little girl mink
ly Come here, Dora, and take your old foe
o. of an aunt up stairs l'
at "Iwon'tg gop' moaned auntie. "Kee
1T your distance, minxl Oh-h-hW
is Pa was red with rage. He turned
Sc Sam Popkins.
le "Get out of this house, you graceles
le scampr' he said, shaking the poker {
i'd him. GA nice return from your father
in SOD, that I trust and treated like
friend. AS for Vincent-there, Dor
as don't cry, my pet-I won't say wor
IN against the graceless fellowl Her
Judith-here's your wig Go to be-
id and have more sense in future, and tax