Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-10-18
NO. 249.
Calls and Sketthes.
AUNT P0LLY'S ADVENTURE WITH THE
BURGLAR.

., my didn't the wind blow? When /
went around the house that night, lock-
inS doors and windows before going to
bed, there was just IA breath of breeze sigh
my about-nothing more but by the time
had fairly pumped upon the pillow, the
gale was blowing it like mad When /
llrst came to the Western country | used
TO be surprised at the quick. unceremoni-
Gus way storms had Of coming upon peo-
ple-half the time it seemed to me, out
OF clear innocent looking sky.
In my old home prlded myself upon
reading The signs OF the sky; but here,
goodness me, when | thought it would
SHOW. it WAS sure to rain, and when I
could have taken solemn oath that clouds
were going to pour. why, whisk they
would 20, and the sun would shine out as
though 1t was III high glee at having fool
ed me. SO | gave up being weather
prophet, aud took it just as it came.
That night every thing out of doors
seemed to be in commotion. The loose
shingles on the house clattered up aud
down, the windows shook, the blinds rat
tie, and halt the time it seemed to me that
the bed on which lay would be blown
through the side OF the house. know
am foolish old woman, but at the
thought couldn't help setting my ruffled
night cap straight, and smoothing back
my hair. because ii | should go, why
there was Deacon Albee's house opposite,
and-6ut Lord bless me, what am say
ing
Well naturally, was lonesome enough
without child OF chick to speak tv, but
did very well until somehow | got ii into
my head that burglars always choosesjust
such nights to do their mischief in Alter
that 1 started at every sound, and as
there were thumps and clatters ON all sides
and IN every direction, it isn't to be sup
posed that got much rest.
l didn't stop to reason that there was
very little i'll my poor little house to tempt
e1il-doers. | knew had forty dollars
and elShly cents laid away i'll my poor de-
parted Jason's old wooden chest, and |
lelt that 10 lose that would be u terrible
thing to me.
4.c house was a cottage. with a hall
running the length of its two rooms-an
u b,lug built beyond. Nv room was
at the back, opening into the hall and the
front room adjoining. So my eyes were
first from one door to the other, lingering,
| must say, with more dread upon the
one leading into the hall
III | should be robbed of that forty dol
lars and eighty cents said | to myself
just then II blind went whack, and spring
ing up III bed, began TO say the prayer
my mother taught me--''Now lay me
down to sleep, though am sure it look
ed great dead more as though | was sit
ting up to sleep than lying down.
Nv hat an old tool you are, Polly Quinn
by | began 10 say. aloud, trying to get
up my courage by the sounds OF my own
voice.
AT that moment was sure l heard a
step i'll the little hall, and before | had
time 10 move from my place, the door
swung back, and there lie stood, the very
ol loci that Lad been dreadng, Mr.. Bur-
glar himself.
Good evening, ma'am." he said. in
such polite way, that found myself in
the motion ot speaking back, pug saying
good esehing too.
lie was a middle aged man. with mus
tache and wh>kcrS, and he had the bright
est eyes that ever saw in n persons
head. The hair on his temples was quite
gray. All in all, he looked like respec-
table Christian gentleman, and not Il mid
night thief.
"QHitc windy evening, ma am" he
Went on, he stepped into the room
"Iou must be lonely 10y YOURSELF
somehow, this touched my temper. l
forgot who was speaking, and answered
back as tart rs could be,
81 prefer 10 choose my company, sir!'
lie laughed and shrugged up his shoul-
ders.
You do, indeed! So do |. In this
ease had my prelerence--not you"
| Then he sat down lei>urely in my rock
ing chair, and stretched out his feet as
| though he intended to stop while.
"Will You be SO kind, sir, as to go about
your business? What do you think Of
| yourself, sir, to be ntruding upon the
privacy of my room at this hour of the
night. Sir?'
He leaned his head back upon my bright
worsted tidy, and laughed tit 10 kill HIM
self
NO harm is intended you, my charm
inc woman he said Il swear i-no
harm is intended you.1
And SAYING this, he laughed louder and
longer than ever.
do you come into my house to make
game OF me before my very eyes ?" | ask
ed, my temper very much stirred up. IF
you were Il gentleman, sir"
This was too nnch for him.
"A gentleman Oh. aw-that's too
good. 1t proteS>ed to be II gentleman,
you'd stand "a good chance of getting your
throat cut without So much us, by your
leave, ma'am. to begin with A gentle
man? With all my faults, thank heaven,
that is not among themm
You needn' t have gone on that way
to prove it," said tartly.
well, you are sharp old damsel,
aren't you| turning his big eyes upon
me. and twisting up his mouth in comi-
cal way, which l shall never forget. II
swear you'd be pretty good hooking, if
YOU didn't wear such widerullle on Your
nigbtcap Jolly. isn't it lunker-big
enough for Il gave ward fence.
"Sir." | said, looking very savage.
"Ala'am!' he answered, initiating my
voice and tone to perfection
"Oh, ifsl were only out OF bed, sir - l
began.
And pray, madame, what is there to