The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-12-19

O, my! didn't the wind blow? When
| went around the house that night,
locking doors and windows before going
to bed, there was just Il breath of breeze
signing about--nothing more but by
the time l had fairly pumped upon the
pillow, the gale was going it like mad.
When / first came to the Western coun-
try / used TO be surprised at the quick
unceremonious ways storms had of COM
ing upon the people--half the time, ii
seemed to me, out of Il clear, innocent
looking sky.
In my old home prided myself upon
reading the signs Of the sky; but there
goodness me, when | thought it would
snow, it was sure to rain, and when |
could have taken solemn oath that the
clouds were going to pour, why, whlsk
they'd go, and the sun would shine out
as though it was in high glee At having
fooled me. So ! gave up being II wealth
er phophet, and took it just as it came,
That night everything out of doors
seemed to be in commotion. The loose
shingles on the house ratified up and
down, the windows shook, the blinds rat
tied and hall the timci seemed to Inc that
the bed ON which | lay would he blown
through the side of the house. ] know
I'm foolish old woman, but | thought
| couldn't help setting my rullled night
cap straight, and smooth back my hair,
because if [ should go, why there was
Decon Albec'5 house opposite, and
but Decon bless me what am 1 saying
Wellnatural)y, was lonesome enough
without child or chick to speak to, but
| did very we'll until somehow ! got it
iuto my head that burglars always choose
Just such nights to do their mischief in.
After that / started at every sound
and as there were thumps and clatters
on ell sides, and in every direction, il
isn't to be supposed that l got much
rest.
/ didn't stop to reason that there was
very little in my poor little house tc
tempt cvil-docrs. | knew ] had forty
dollars and eighty cents laid away inmy
poor departed Jason's old wooden chest
and | felt that to lose that would be &
terrible thing to me.
The house was Il cottage, with a hall
running the length Of it's two rooms-m
81" being built beyond. Ny room was
at the back, opening into the hall, and
front room adjoining. So my eyes
went first from one door to the other,
lingering, I must say, with more dread
upon the one leading into the hall.
"If should be robbed of that forty
and eighty CENTS said ! to myself.
Just then blind went whack, and
springing up in bed, | began to say the
prayer my mother taught me" Now
lay me down to sleep though I'm sure
it looked II great deal more as though
was sitting up to sleep than laying
down.
"What an old fool you are Polly
Quimby?' / began to say, aloud, try,
ing to get up my courage by the sound
of my own voice.
At that moment | was sure ! heard q
step in the little hall, and before | had
time to move from my place the dooi
swung back, and there he stood, thC
object that ! had been drcading, Mr.
Burglar himself.
"Good evening, ma'am, he said, il
such polite way, that | found myself
in the motion of bowing back, and say.
ing good evening too.
He was middle-aged man, with
moustache and whiskers, and he had
the brightest eyes that | ever saw i'll {
persons head. The hair on his temple
was quite gray. All in all, he looked
like a respectable Christian gentleman
and not midnight thief.
"Quite windy evening, mnam, hi
went OF, as he stepped into the room
"You must be lonely by yourself.
Somehow, this touched my temper
l forgot who was speaking, and answered
back as tart as could be.
II prefer to choose my company sir J