The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1872-03-06

wered Mrs. Penson and Laura, in
chorus.
True to his rcsoluteau, Farmer PEN
son, shortly after supper, betook him
self to the corr shed, TO watch for the
thief, whom he believed to be making
free with his stores.
| Now this coro shel has been, in
former days a kitchen but the house
being enlarged, it was no longer used
for that purpose, but for the ono before
mentioned.
Over the door OF this shed was q
sindow, without sashes-being closed
by shutter, which, when open, gave
light to a small loft over tho coro
bins
Upon this loft Farmer Pension took
his station, horsewbip in hand, and
with a large bucket of water by bis
side, to watch for the despoiler Of his
goods.
Its played ont, this ~ he NUT
tered to himself, as ho opened the
shutter little way, seas TO afford a
pecphole -" and whoever catch here
tonight viii just get particular fits ~
Why he cJntiouaj, as he lit his
pip, and sat him self down to watch,
"l've lost heaps Of things this year.
There wore my strawborrios-the
boys got morc'n half of them; the
cherries went the slmo way then tha,
scarecrow put up to keep the birds
of the peas WASH no manner, Of use
for they just came and sat on the old
hat, and ate tho peas they couldn't
reach from below. That's oil the good
that thing did; and now to have
the corn so, is something wont
stand t.
For about au hour, the farmer ro
mained p'acidly smoking, and rumin
ating on Tho prospective visit from
Cousin David, without experiencing
any cause Of alarm.
As the village clock struck nine,
however, he sIw man coming slowly
up the road.
Watching him, Mr. Pen5on saw him
turn into the lane leading toward his
house.
"lle's coming here" thought ho
81 wonder who it is2 1t surely cant
be the corn thief; ho'd never come so
carly as this; ani yet-why, he's COM
iug toward the shed door It's
the fellow, sure enough Como on, old
boy--l'm ready"
And grasping tho bucket Of water,
he watched intently the movements Of
the intruder.
Ho came slowly along, looking care.
fully about him-now towlrl the
house, and toward the barn. Al
length, seeming satisfied that all was
right he approached tho door of the
corn shed, and put his hand upon the
latch.
Down camo the contents Of the
bucket upon his head aud down jump
ed Farmer Penson from over the low
door, hourishng his horse whip aud
shouting:
"Ah ha my fne fellow I've got
you at last, have /? Take that. aud
that. You will rob my cOracrib, will
you ?"
And thick and fast fell tn, blows
upon tho head aud shoulders Of the
unhappy stranger.
What's all this" ho cried.
"Don't you know me? I'm
a miserable theft" roared his
assailant, intcrruptins his speech by
shower Of blows, that tho man started
of iuto heavy run, putting and blow
ing rs no went, for ho was very stout,
and evidently past middle age.
lilo was followed tor some distance
by the exasperated farmer, showing
imprecautons upon him as he ran, uu-
til, at last, thinking him sufficiently
puoishei, he gave up the chase and
returned to the house,
At tho dor he encountered rough
looking mau, just bringing up small
trunk.
"Is Mr.. Stockrich hero p ho in.
qired, ofthc farmer as he approached
"No," was the rcply; 'he is not
expected till tomorrow night"
Gle started twenty minutes before
me, from the station" said the man
" and he ordered NE to bring the trunk
up to Mr.. Penson's"
"This is the place." gasped the
farmer, q sickening thought coming
over him "put it down, ho'll bsaloDl
soon."