Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-06-25
old MAGGIE AND THE BURGLARS.
Won are not afraid, Maggie?"


aYou are not afraid, Maggie?"
aMe afraidp' said Maggie. "I'd no
fear horn with me. As for the house, it's
the strongest fastened ever was in. You
COW Yourself there's no lock burglar
could force, and I'm not one to let tramps
or the like in OF my own free will. God
Knows the place will be safe enough
when YOU come back-as safe as though
there were regiment of soldiers in it;
and I'll have all bright for your new wife,
Mr.. Archibald"
She called her master Mr.. Archibald
still. this old woman but she was the only
one who still used his Christian name.
He was an elderly man himself, and had
few intimate friends, hospitality not being
one of his virtues. He was rich, and
there was much that was valuable in the
house more ready money, too, than most
men keep about them; but then it was as
secure as acknowledgement locks and
burglar alarms that first sent bullet into
any one who sought to enter by stealth,
and then rang bell to wake the house
hold, were attached to every door, and a
furious watchdog that lived on raw meat
was in the back garden. The Van Mott
mansion could have withstood siege at
amoment's notice.
"Yes, yes," he said, 81 presume it is
all safe enough. And I'll speak to the
night Waterman, and give him dollar to
take particular look at this house.
Well, good-by, Maggie, make things as
neat as possible. for if they look dirty my
wife may think the furniture old and
want something new for the parlor."
And Mr. Van Mott departed.
- hat
born with her, but as the night drew on
she began to feel somewhat lonely. Her
masters presence was strangely missed
out of the great house, and there was
something ghostly in the look of his
empty chair when she peeped into the
little back Office.
eff was superstitious," she said to
herself, II should think something
dreadful was going to happen. / feel
chilly up and down my back, and l keep
thinking of funerals. I'll make myself
acup of tea, and see if / can't get over
it.''
And accordingly old Maggie shut her
self into the snug kitchen, and lighting
two candles drew pot of the strongest
young Tyson, and putting her feet close
to the cooking-stove began to feel much
more comfortable.
The old clock licked away On the
mantel, the hands pointing to halfpast
eight.
aI'm going to bed at nine," said Mag
gle ave worked well to-day. Much
thanks I'll get for it, doubt. Hank 1!
What's THAR"
1t was a sound outside the door--a
slow, solemn grating of wheels. Then
feet trod the pavement, and the bell rang
family.
"a carriage!" cried Maggie. "Has he
changed his mind and brought her home
at once? But that can't be-he's not mar
ried yet" And taking one of the candles
she trotted to the door, but not before the
bell had rung again.
"Who's thats" she cried, holding the
door slightly ajar.
"A stranger" said voice; "one who
has something particular to say to you"
you'll have to wait for tomorrow"
said Maggie. "You can't come in to-
night"
my good woman" said the stranger,
ayou are Margaret Black"
That's my name"
"Mr. Van Motifs housekeeper for twen-
yyears,,"
my good woman, if you are attached
to your master, / have bad news for
you"
Gracious Lordl" cried Maggie, but
she did not open the door much wider
only enough to thrust her head out.
Don't scare me, mister. What is il? ?"
The worst you can think of" said the
man. Mr.. Van Mott Travelled on the
railroad. There has been an accident"
Cd Iatf i'm m
the door fall back, "and him on his way
He's dead" said the man. Dead,
and we've brought him home"
Maggie sat down on a chair and began
to cry.
We've done what we could" said the
man. 1.-THE lady he was to marry, and
her friends, will be down tomorrow.
Meanwhile my instructions are that you
shall watch with me, and allow no
stranger to enter the house. There are
valuable things here, Pm told; and Mr..
Van Motifs lawyer must take possession
OF them and seal them up before strangers
nave access to the rooms"
Oh! dear, DEAR" cried old Maggie.
That it should come to this. Yes; I'll
watch alone. Pm not afraid, but-oh,
dearl,
Then she shrank back and let two
men carry horrible coffin into the
parlor.
They came out with their hats off, and
the other man held his also in his hand.
lregret to leave you all alone in the
house." he said.
- don't mind that" said old Maggie,
but it's terrible, terrible
Ii you'd like me to stay" said the
:. MOI said Maggie. eve no fear OF
hving or dead folks. You can 60"
Then she locked the door and went In.
70 the parlor, putting the candle on the
CONN through her tears.
lie was good enough to me-" she said
poor Mr.. Archibald And this comes
u wanting to marry at this time Of life