The Republican journal., 1873-03-13
Aunt PoIty's Adventure.

Aunt PoIty's Adventure.
Oh, my, but didn't the wind blow !!
When | went around the house that night,
locking doors and windows before going
to bed there was Just breath of breeze
flying about-nothing more; but by the
time had fairly pumped upon the pillow,
the gale was going it mad. When | first
came to this western country, used to be
surprised at the quite, unceremonious
way storms had of coming upon people
half the time, it seemed to me, out of a
clear, innocent looking sky.
In my old home prided myself upon
reading the signs OF the sky; but here,
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, whisk
they'd 90, and the sun would shine out as
though it wa. in high glee at having fooled
me, SO | gave up being Il weather
prophet, and took it just as it came.
That night everything ont Of doors
seemed to be in commotion. The loose
shingles on the house clattered up and
down the windows shook, the blinds
ratified and half the time it seemed to me
that the bed on which | lay would be
blown through the side of the house. |
know Pm a foolish old woman, but at the
thought couldn't help setting my ruffied
nghtcap straight, and smoothing back my
hair, because if should go, there was
Deacon Albee's house opposite, and-but
Lord bless me, what am saying?
Well, naturally was lonesome enough
without chick or child to speak to, but
did very well until somehow | got it into
my head that burglars always choose such
nights to do their mischief in. After that
| started at every sound, and as there
were thumps and clatters on all sides,
and in every direction, it isn't to be sup
posed that l got much rest.
| didn't stop to reason that there was
very little in my poor house to tempt evil
doers. | know | had forty dollars and
eighty cents laid away in poor departed
,Jason's old wooden chest and | telt that
to lose that would be a terrible thing to
me.
The house was cottage, with hall
running the length of its two rooms-an
IL" being built beyond. My room was
at the back, opening into the hall and the
front room adjoining. So my eyes went
first from one door to the other, lingering,
w
leading into the hall.
If | should be robbed of that forty
dollars and eighty cents" said | to my
self 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 Pm sure
it looked Il good deal more as though l
was sitting up to sleep than lying down
s.Wbat aid fool Po1lu
Quimby!' | began to say, aloud, trying
to get up my courage by the sound of my AZ
own voice. At that moment was sure
heard a step in the little hail. and before
| had time to move from my place, the
and there he stood, the very object that |
had been dreading, Mr.. Burglar himself.
Good evening, ma'am," he said in
such a polite way, that | found myself in
the motion of bowing back and saying
good evening, too.
He was a middle-aged man. with NOUS
tache and whiskers, and he had the bright
est eyes | ever saw in a PERSONS head.
The hair on the temples was quite gray
All in ALL he looked like a respectable
Christian gentleman, and not midnight
thief.
"Quite a windy evening, ma'am'' he
went on, as he stepped into the room.
You must be lonely here by yourself"
Somehow this touched my temper. |
forgot who was speaking, and | answered
| back as tart AS could be.
II prefer to choose my company, sir I"
| He laughed and shrugged up his should
| erS.
"You do, indeed SO do |. In this
case have MY preference--not you"
Then he sat down in my rocking char,
and stretched out his feet as though he in
tended to stop awhile.
"Will you be so kind, sr as to 90
| about your business? What do you think
of yourself, sir, to be intruding upon the
privacy of my room at this hour of the
night, sir?"
He leaned his head back upon my bright
worsted tidy, and laughed tit to kill HIM
self
"No harm is intended you, my charm
ing woman,' he said 81 swear it-no
harm is intended you!"
And saying this, he laughed louder and
| longer than ever.
'Do you come into my house to make
game of me before my eyes ?" l asked
my temper pretty much stirred up. III
you We're gentleman sir"
This was too much for him.
"Agentleman? Oh, ,aw-that's too good
If | professed to be gentleman, you'd
stand good chance of getting your throat
cut without so much as, by your leave,
ma'am, to begin with. A gentleman
| With all my faults, thank Heaven. that is
not among them!'
"You needn't have gone on that way to
prove it," said tartly
well. you are sharp old damsel
arn't you?" turning his big nose upon
me, and twisting up his mouth in conf
cal" way, which l never shall forget 81
swear you'd be pretty good looking il
you didn't wear such a wide ruffle on
your night cap. Jolly, it's a lunker-bie
enough for a grave yard fence'
''Sir ~ | said looking very savage
"Ma'am % he answered, initiating nv
voice and tone to perfection.
"Oh, if | only was out of this bed, sir, .
[ began.
"And pray, madam, what is there tc
hinder you from getting out, I'd like to
knowp"
"Do you intend to insult me, you good
for nothing creature ?-Oh, if the wind
would only blow you away"
'1f one goes, the other is sure to &c
too" he, said stolidly.
.'lf brother Joe would only waken"
said.
He cooked his eye knowingly.
You want to make me believe that he
Is IN this house somewhere, eh? My deal
naoam, you are as transparent as air
t had he been under this roof, you would
| oaI 1 u
this time''
''Oh, oh, you varment I" l groaned ir
pure agony of spirit. .sWhat do vol
want ?" '
"Well, ma am, since that is a fair honest
| question, | will attemnt to ansuor;+ r.