Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-09-01
Stltttr0 Storp.
TIE PANTRY THIEF.

bcVi ~ Niu JuiiA were Qullc llOuc lh
the house. 1t was a modern. handsome
house. in the midst of beautiful grounds,
and the taste and elegance everywhere
visible cvinced lavish expenditure.
Mr.. Scagravo had been highly sue
cesslul merchant. and this was the sum.
mcr residence OF the family, in Il delight
iul suburban town near New York.
My story opens one fine invigorating
September afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Sea
grave and uncle Philip had ridden over to
;hc city 10 witness the sailing Of line
new ship in which Mr. Seasravc had 4
large interest. Julia had been suffering
all the morning with severe headache,
and it was thought best lor her TO remain
ut home; and George, who was extreme.
ly loud ol his only sister, notwithstanding
his teasing propenSilies. kindly offered 10
stay with her. Bridget and Kate had
gone To visit The neighboring servants.
80 tha, George and Julia were LETT alone.
IL sometimes occurs TO boys and girls.
rs well Us 10 grown people, that their
imasnaiions get strongly awakened and
excited with the consciousness of being
the sole occupants ot a large house. aud
loneliness aud deSolalion creep icily over
them. followed by absolute fear.
The afternoon was far spent. and the
twilight shadows were deepening and
lengthening. Neither the parents nor
the servants had returned. and Julia was
ready to catch terror from the most trivial
cause.
What's tha, ?" cried she with wide.
staring eyes. "Did you hear tha, noise p
No. | didn't hear anything" ietly
answered her brother George. at the
window
Il did! I'm sure did. and it sou. dcd
Just like some one opening a door"
Fudge! there isn't any one. Gill,
are always seeing sights and hearing
noises. rm glad I'm not girl.n
"But you like to play with girls, even
ii you pretend not to like them. returned
Julia with spirit.
play :" rclortcd George. impaticnlly ;
81 talk with them sometimes, and it's
fun TO tease them; but don't play"
We'll, I'm glad I'm uot boy. Boys
are so rough :" iejoined little Julia.
Just then sound-something like the
crcaking Of door on its hinges-came
up leebly. but distinctly. from the base
ment below.
There it is again | told you So" ex-
claimed Julia, exciiedly.
keep still! don't talk hark !" whis
pered George. in u commanding tome. rs
he sprung To his ieet and stood silent and
mOtionlesS ~ statue, with his head in
elined slightly forward. and ears eagerly
strained TO catch every sound.
But deep silence pervaded the house.
Even the canary, which had been filling
the air with its sweet CHEEKY music, and
the chattering parrot Oh the piazza. were
quiet.
What do you suppose it was ?" in.
quired Julia, recovering somewhat her
compOsure.
May be puss. or perhaps n dog shut
in somewhere" replied George. wishin.
TO dispel his sisters fears.
20. dear. there il is again we shall bC
robbed or mui dered I" cried Julia, turn
tng pale and trembling in every limb
IL wish lather and mother would come
Something always happens when they &c
away"
There's no danger. A noise won
hurt you. I'll take care OF you. Dom
be frightened. don't" said George, soolh
ingly and encouragingly.
I'm afraid! I'm afraid !" whimperet
Julia, the tears starting into her mild blue
eyes.
ATS almost time for father and notheI
to come. It's almost fye." said George
glancing at the clock.
Ten, fifteen minutes passed. The chill
tI6n stationed themselves nj the library
window. and eagerly watched tho return