The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-12-17

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This done. she went and stole her
youngest-born, Ruth, from her little
cot and carried her off to her own
bed. A lingering goodnight over
her darling Rosie, the six-year-old
daughter, whose sweet, tender young
face looked wonderfully like her
mothers and soon Kate Ferguson
was sleeping by her child, with her
husbands likeness under her pillow
and prayer for. his quick return
filing even her sleeping thoughts.
1t scemed TO the mistress of the
house that she had slept so long that
morning must be near, when she
awoke with en- inexplicable feeling
Of something, or some one, near her.
What is it?r she cried, starting
up in the bed, and instinctively
catching the sleeping child in her
arms.
| No answer.
Only a distinct sound Of breath
ing. and then Of a movement like a
hand feeling along the wall-toward
| her.
She began to tremble violently;
nothing but the presence Of the child
on her painting bosom saved her from
fainting.
who is it" she cried, her voice
so shaking and hollow that it awak
ened RutA. who clung 10 her, sleepy
and scared.
/ This time she had answer.
I'VE will do you no harm," a
voice spoke out of the darkness, If
you give up that money you've got"
And then, before Mrs. FERGUSON
could muster courage and breath to
speak, another voice, out of the room
apparently, added in a rough under
tone, And tell her to look sharp
about it, too"
"T'uo Of them! Q God, help me-
She whispered to herself, and Ruth
began to break into screams and
sobS.
Keep that brat quiet" angrily
muttered the voice on the landing,
land don't keep us here all night
Now surely if ever woman was
in miserable plight, Mrs. FERGUSON
was that woman. Not house near
er than the Hollands, full quarter
of mile off; no soul near to help,
! for Jane. who worked hard bv day.
slept hard by night, and slept, more
over. in a queer little room at The
very top OF the house: all alone
worse than alone, utterly helpless.
and a woman who confessed to the
usual feminine share of cowardice.
Still she drew her breath, and there
flashed from her heart a cry for help
and then. for q few brief moments.
She thought-thought with all her
mind and souI-was there any way
for her out of this?
And her reason told her there was
none
Come" :" said the voice in her own
room, "I'm a good-tempercd chap
enough, but my mates i'll hurry
don't provoke him. Look alive, and
tell us where to find the swag-
money!
She groaned and shook and all her
limbs turned cold, as the voice drew
near9r and nearer; and at the last
words heavy hand was laid upon
the bed. Then. further TO torment
her, came the thought that once this
money were gone, there would be
none to meet the people with-the
people who had saved it week by
week, day by day, all the past year.
Heavy drops ran down her shaking
form, her hands turned numb, and
her lips clammy and cold, while the
beating of her heart was like the
quick tolling Of d hell-louder, louder
till it deafened her.
IN find a way to make Der speak, =
/ growled the second voice. Here's
another kid in the room" Then, III
one instant. a thin streak OF light
shot across the landing and the
next
"Mother, mother, MOTHER" shrek
ed Rosie's voice; and at that sound
Ruth redoubled her cries, and the
unhappy mother sprang up, clasping
one child, mad to protect the otter
"SiIence, you foolr said the man
by her, speaking harshly for tie first
time. You'll drive that fellow yon
der TO do the child mischief, il yot