The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-12

thing rs piece Of stout string up thore2 2n
" dare say can find piece. I'm
sce."
Amelia disappeared fom the balcony,
but returned almost Immediately,
Here it ls,n
"Let one end Of It dowE to me, and Tll
faStcn it to the rope, and YOU can draw it
up and secure IT, There are two large
hooks to iasten it to the balcony
Amelia followed Digby'S directions and
in a few seconds the ladder was firmly
secured.
"Now, my darling, all you have to do is
to descend"
"Oh, Mr.. Chick, Pm so frightened.
Suppose ! werr 10 fall | really daren't
venture alone. Oh, do come up and assist
mcm
"Ccrtainly will" replied Dsby; and
he mounted the ladder,
At this moment tue dog before alluded
TO began to bark violently, and directly
ntterward the garden gate wps heard to
open. and Il heavy f6otstep to approach.
"Oh, dear me Y almost Shriekel Amelia,
whatever will become OF us It's the |
policeman. How very unfortunlte lie
has duplicate key, and sometimes walks
round the garden at night to see that all is
nght.n
"What shall ! dol asked Digby in
agony.
"Crouch down on the top of the water.
butt, and very likely he'll not see you
and give me TIE adder
Our hero did as he was told, and
Amelia pushed to her window aud put out
her light, as the heavy footsteps came
nearer and nearer
The policeman, who evidently fancicd
that all was well, seemed about to depart,
when suddenly the lid OF the water.butt
tipped aside, and splash dash went poor
Digby into five feet Of water
"llallop said the policeman to himself
"whaps that Burglars, or I'm very
much mistaken. Blessed il they amt in
the watcr.butt. Now, then, young fellow
| eau see you. Come out Of that, viii
your
Now nothing was easier 10 say than this,
but few things more difficult Of accom-
pllshment. | any should doubt the truth
of this assertion, let them try the expert.
nent.
"IIuShm said poor Digby, as we'll as he
was able, from tic interior Of the water
butt. "Ilush ! | can assure you, police
man. that it's all right
"0h, Of cousei it is" returned the of.
iiccr, ironically; nothing could be right.
cr How else should you be in that water
butt7"
{" Help me out, there's good fellow"
" That's cool, " answered the policeman.
ats great deal worse than that its
awIully cold in here. say, policeman, do
help nc out Pm not thief"
"0r course not, my hd-nobody ever
gives hsselt that character"
ats mistake; It is indeed"
"That believe, or else you wouldn't
be- in there's
Just then the window above was OPEN
cd, and the major appeared in his dress
ing-gown and niglt-cap,
"What's the matter clll What's the
meaning oI alllh riot and disturbance in
TIE middle of the night2 Amelia, my
love, bring me my Seven-shot revolver.
Policeman, what docs all this mean, eh p
"Well, SIR, it means Just this-thcrr's |
been an attempt made to break into your
house; but l've got the burglar, and he's |
inside The watcr-hutt."
"BIcss my heart you don't say sol
srid the major. "Clinb up on the stand.
policeman and seize the ruilian by the
hair Of his head; then turn your buli's.eye
on to his face, and lets sec what he's like"
The policeman clamhcrcd up the side Of
the butt, and followed the majors instrlc.
tions implicitly.
"Why, bang me-" roared the major.
"irit isn't the young fellow who lives
next doorm
ayes, major, It's me-" said the unhappy
Digby, rendered desperate by the situa-
tion.
".Thcn, Sir what the devil arc you doing
inside my watcr-buttl"
"Excuse me, major. l'm very sorry
but it's quite an accident. didn't mean
to do it. Let me out, and I'll never get |
inside it again.
Ala an idea strikes me- gaspcd the |
major, as though Overpowered by the force
oft. "Amclia, I" this is your doing.
feel certain that you are responsible for
this. Go and shut youEclf in the draw.
ing-room directly, and don't quit it until
give you lcayc.n
Don't be angry with her major. It's
all my iault-it Is ndeed.n
"ContOund your impudence Sir You
admit as much do you I Policeman, keep
him there-don't let him escape. Hang
it Tll-l'llm murder him Somebody give
me my revolver, and I'll blow him to
atoms ln
"Oh, major!n cried poor Digby, "spare
me, spare me | had no idea Of this
"Stop him making that nolse-we shall
alarm the whole neighbOthood. Dip his
head under water, and give him another
ducking, policeman"
Up came tie victim to the surface again,
putting mud blowing.
"Majur, mnjor-spare me! Think Of
my youth and ineXpericncc. Don't cut
me III in my primci but let me go this
time, aud promise you that I'll never at
toni it such II thing again. Oh, MAJOR!
retlect-yon were young man once"
"WIat, Sir! Do you mean to say that
! am an old man now !"
"Or, no, maiOr-I don't say 0ny thing
Of the kind. Quite the contcary, major
quite the contrary"
snow, Sir, I'll give you one chance for
your life, and miad yon speak the truth.
Equivocate in the slightest degree, and |