Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-12-12
SELECTED STORY.
AUNT FULLY QuIMBYS BURGLAR.

AUNT FILL? GUIhaBI 5 5uSaL&R.
Oh, me, didn't the wind blow
When went around the house lockin g
the doors and windows before going to
bed, there was just enough wind sigh
ing about nothing more; but by the
time had my head fairly on the pillow
the gale was going like mad. When
first came to this country, used to be
surprised at the quick, unceremonious
way storms had of coming upon the
people-half the time, it seemed to me
out of a clear, innocent locking sky.
In my old home l prided myself upon
reading the signs Of the skies, but here
goodness me!-When I thought it
would be sure to rain, and when could
have taken solemn oath that the
clouds were going to pour, why, whisk
they'd go, and the sun would shine out
as though it was in glee at having fool
ed me. So gave up being q weather
prophet, and took it Just as it came.
That night everything. seemed in a
connection. The loose shingles to the
house clattcred up and down, the win
dows shook; the blinds ratified, and
half the time it seemed to me that the
bed on which I lay would be blown
through the side Of the house. I know
I'm foolish old woman, but at the
thought I couldn't help setting my ruff
fed night-cap straight and smoothing
back my hair, because if | should 60,
why, there waa Deacon Albee's right
opposite me, and-but Lord bless me,
what am I saying!
Well, naturally, I was loneson
enough without child or chick to speak
to, but I did very well until got it into
my head that burglars always choose
such nights to do their mischief in. AT
ter that started at every sound, and as
there were thumps and clatters on all
sides and in every direction, it isn't to
be supposed that gotlnuch sleep that
night, .e.
I didn't stop to reason that there very
little in my poor title house to tempt
evil-doers / knew I had forty dollars
and eighty cents laid away in my poor
departed Jason's old wooden chest, and
| felt that to lose that would be terri
ole thing to me.
The house was a cottage, with hall
running the length Of two rooms
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, | must say, with more dread
upon the one leading into the hall.
IF | should be robbed Of that forty
dollars and eighty cents =" l said to
myself. Just then a blind went whack,
and springing up in bed, and began to
say the prayer my mother taught me
:'Now I lay me down to sleep" though
am sure it looked a great deal more
as though l was sitting up to sleep
than lying down.
"What an old fool you are, Polly
Quinby y began to say aloud, trying
to get up courage by the sound Of my
voice
At that moment l was sure heard a
step in the hall, and before I tried to
move from my place, the door latch
lifted, the door swung back, and there
he stood, the very object had beer
dreading, Mr. Burglar, himself.
GOOD evening, ma'am,' he said IL
such a polite manner that found my
self in the notion of bowling back anc
saying good evening tQo:.
He was middle aged man, with nous
tache and whiskers, and he had the
brightest eyes ever saw in persons
head. The hair on his tempe was
quite gray. All in al, he looked a re
spectacle, christian gentleman, and mo-
like midnight thief, and | told hin
so.
This was too much for him.
"a gentleman! Oh, ah = that's too
good! If protested to be a gent emal
! you'd stand a good chance to have you
throat cut without so much as by you
leave, ma'am, to begin with! A gentle
man! With all ny faults, thank heav
en- that it is not among them|
"You needn't haven't gone on tina
way to prove 1t, l salQ tartly.
aWell, you are sharp cd damsel
arn't you?" turning his big eyes upo1
me and twisting up his mouth in comic
al way, which | shall never forget.
q swear you'd be pretty good-look
ing if you did't wear such wide ruth
on your night-cap. jolly, isn't it
lunker--big enough for. grave-yar'
fence!"# III:
'ssir!l" said I, looking savage. ~
'sMa'am!'' he said, initiating my VOC
and tone to perfection.
eff brother Joe would only awaken
I said.
He cooked his eye knowingly. 70
want to make be ieve that he IS IN tn
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