The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1875-07-15
H,Lrns a,Ds,ent apvr,rrRr.

~ f@t t-itNA NNN+t -
ioliys
Noi the least IN lbe world, Mr. Cra-
ncr. yon are only to be gone one aigh.,
sou know.
DON'T think myself there is any dan
ger bul Il i quite sun 20 leave unpro-
iecisd stil no one knows have i but
Audull; he's 40 unprincip'ed sooundrel,
bat BOT bad enough for burglary, and
Judge Cramcr looked tloughifully ou. Of
the window, while Polly, bis hired girl,
who had worked for him since biz wife
died. some three years before, hustled
about the kitchen
I Well, Polly, look after the things as
we'll az you can. shall be home again
bright and early, II all goes well and
/ Dick comes on the FIRST train as he prom
ised am going to say good bye 10 the
children and then shall be of And
shutting the Kitchen door be went into
tie sitting room, As he entered, bis IL
\ lie tLree-year old son ran towards him
With outstretehed arms aud tears 10 his
eyes
Freddie want to go, too, he cried.
+ Does he2 said the Judge, tsking him
4 IN bis arms, and carried him 10 window
where boy Of fifteen sat reading Well,
he sball sometime, but papa is going to
meet Uncle Dick this time, and will have
to stay al night
Thus soothed, Freddie turned TO The
window aud fell 10 watching the horse
outside, who stood impatientIy paving
the ground, while the Judge rising and
buttoning his coat, said to the boy;
/ les time was going, Ralph Tell
I Bell when she comes that
F Here be was interrupted by the young
X lady IN question coming in, fresh and
ruddy from a long walk.
All, here you are, Bell was just
giving Ra ph Instructions; you know,
+ both Of you, as she came up beside him,
( | received six thousand dollars yesterday,
and owe that amount TO Andrill over 10
I New ton. | have written to him, telling
/ bin that have The money for him, but
have got to meet your Uncle Dick and
shall be away from home all night, but il
+ he will come tomorrow | will settle
with him. Now ! want you, Ralph, to
be sure and fasten all the outer doors to-
night and don't admit any stragglers on
any pretense whatever, for it was only
I last week RaltoD's house was entered by
burglars aud all his valuables taken.
Yes, said Ralph, just because Ralton
did not dare to crawl out of bed, and get
his gun and shoot 'em, but lay there
shivering with fear an let them take all
they wanted, just as long as they would
not touch him.
You needn't worry, father, said Bell,
4 fany one should break in here Ralph
would get his new gun you gave him aud
defend us.
Yes, said Ralph, laughing, let 'em try
once and I'll pepper em SO they won't
want to try again.
/ The Judge smiled, didn't know |
was leaving such brave hero in charge.
| am afraid though your courage would
diminish if it were put TO the test. But
must not stand here talking, SO good
bye. Enjoy yourselves while am gone.
And the Judge hurried out 10 his horse,
and jumping into his sleigh drove away
at a spanking pace, the three standing at
the window aud watching him until a
bend in The road hid him from their
view.
II was cloudy, cold day in the dead
OF winter, too cold to snow, Polly had
said; but as the short day drew to a close
the feathery flakes began TO come down,
at first slowly, aud then faster and faster,
so that when Ralph came in from closing
the barn at night, be said TO bis sister:
Polly says we are going to have an old
j fashioned snow storm, aud believe it.
Father needn't have any anxiety about
bis money. pity barglar that wonld
lry to crack a crib tonight
Two hours later Rail b and Bell sat be.
fore glowing fire, deeply engaged 10 a
game OF lraughis, while Polly sat in the
corner knitting, with Freddie doziag in
the chair beside her, when suddenly
there came a sharp rap at The door. Fred
die gave start and Jumped 10 his feet
DID no; some one kuock fallered Belt
Ol course some one Knocked, answer
Ell Polly. What are You afraid Of? You
look as white as sheet.
Aud 70 tell the truth Bells face was
rather pslo as She asked:
I Bur who can II be such a night as This
III soon see, sid Ralph, and taking
the lamp from the table he went to tbs
door and opened il.
How do sou doy l. ibis Judge Cra'
mcl's house, or am mistaken: said =
voice from tic darkness.
The darkness was intense outside, aud
& was some time before Ralph could dis
liuguish objects; when be could, ID
made ont The form Of man standing on
the lower step-stout, thick set, and 4
ong scarf wrapped about bis head. Hi
body was euyeioped iu heavy, shaggy
uvcteoat covered with snow.
Yes, said Ralph, slowly lie live
here, bui Is away Tonight.
/. be? We'll, l'll come in aud warn
me, said the man, brushing past Ralph
sbaliug himself free from the snow /,
the eulry, aud going into The room =
Ralph followed, looking wondefingly q
The stranger, who, as he entered thi