The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-06-29

20 W." 'h'S'S9ti AHduhiui thdb HeI
signal had given Harry time to escape.
But her feelings underwent change
when Eddie, with a comical look, told
her that cher beau" was cd in the
smoke house. Without waiting to see
whether she was observed or not, she
hasteued to the smoke house aud re-
moved the smoking kettle
q" Harry, lIarry!" she called in
hoaFsG whisper.
" Is that you, Lucy? I'm in purga.
tory. Have you taken that confouuded
thing out? I'm blind as a bat, and my
throat is full Of SCOT and a,hes.'
llarrys voice came from near the
ground.
a." cannot liberate you at present,
Harry; father has the key. But I'll
bring you some supper, aud when he
goes to bed I'll get the key and release
you" In a few minutes plate of edi.
bles was showed through the aperture
and the board returned to its place.
But, as ill.luek would have it, the
farmer discovered, by the absence of
smoke about the crcyices, that his smoke
had gone out, so the board was again
removed aud the farmers arm thrust in
to get the kettle, but instead of that
Ilarrys untouched supper was brought
to light"
Well, this puts the cap sheaf on
everything | ever heard tell Of"
Just then ham fell to tho ground
with dull thud sending a cloud Of
ashes into the farmers face, for he was
still knoeling before the hole.
There, what on earth can that be?
Well, I've got to search into the matter
or / shall always think the smoke house
was haunted
% saying, he opened the door, when
the form OF Harry, uurecognizablo in
his coat Of ashes and SCOT, rose up be
fore him.
The farmer stepped back and yelled
as he voluntarily grasped his jack knife
Murder Murder !"
" Stop, man; stop. Don't call them
all out, as he glanced ruefully at his
dirty coat.
" a thief! thiefw again roarcd Mr..
Trowbridgc, aud by this time all with
the exception of Lucy were on the spot.
It's only l, ueighbor; don't you
know me ?"
Harry felt rather sheepish, and could
not help speaking So
WhoY
" Harry Grey"
" Well, you're in nice pickle.
doubt if Clara Beamer would know you,
or would own it if she did What are
you doing hero?"
All at once Harry felt as bold as
lion.
" want your daughter, Mr.. Trow
bridge VIII you give her to me ?"
" We're you lying here in ambush
watching your chance to steal her ?"
" No: but if you don't give her to
me you may repent it. | shall never
ask again"
THAT means he will marry Clara
Beamcr and | should repent it then, &"
thought the farmer as he scratched his
head, meditatively. Prestoutly he said /:
Eddie, go call Lucy" She came
out, shortly, hanging her head and
blushing deeply.
" Lucy, do you want to marry this
chimney sweep"
"If you please, father"
How long will you waltz"
AS long as you say, IT,"
/" If what ?"
"If you will let him come over once
in a while"
" And, Harry, how long will you
wait ?"
'Ono year"
The farmer scratched his head again.
Well, you can have her, aud s'pose
III have to let you come over as often
as you please. But see that you keep
out of the smoke house," and with that
spoken grufly enough, the farmer
walked off,
Harry was soon on his way home,
whistlins merrily, despite his forlorn
appearance.
! lie nearly frightened his mother aud
sister out of their wits when he bolted
into their presence. They listened to
his story, and ut its conclusion agreed
with him, that, although a ludicrous
occurrence, it was a very fortunate one.