Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-02-20
WEAVERVIIIE CALIFORNIA SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 90 1875
moon gave but faint light through the

moon gave but faint light through the
foliage.
He reached tho house safely, however,
and glanced up at tho second story, the
corner room of which was used rs a sit
ting-room by the widow. lie saw it was
we'll lighted, tho curtains not yet down,
and he was about turning toward the
door when some one--a man-came to
the window and looked out. For tho first
time tho Squire paused irresolutcly.-
Who was that man? Was it Grimp,
and had no got the start of him after all :?
He didn't wish to SEQ Mr.. Grimp-at all
events not then and thoro. He stepped
back little to get better view and wait
cd or the iaco TO appear. But it did not.
Then he moved round TO the end Of the
house and looked up at tho window on
that sido but with no better result. Il he
only knew who The man was knew GER
tainlv L was not Mr.. Grimp he would be
satisfied. His eye rested on the low back
kitchen directly below the end window.
]: could do no harm either and he did so
wish 70 know who that man was
The more the Squire thought about it
the moro no became convinced that 10 was
Mr.. Grimp-but then may bo it wasn't.
He Wowld ind one. Then ho became
more resolute and looked about 'or some
aid TO his purpose. This, ter some
search he found in small ladder which
he placed against The kitchen and began
to ascend. Ho got up The ladder without
trouble, but found the roof so coated with
ice that he had to move with extreme
caution. However, the window was
reached at last and looking in no saw on
ly tho widow and Tom Harwood sitting
by tho fire.
"Thero |" muttered the Squire in dis
gust aftor making this discovery, "I new
or thought of him. Why in Sam Hill
didn't remember he was hero, and pro-
vented all this troublo2 Nearly spilled
my best clothes, tool"
Flo turned about and was preparing 20
go back when movement down In the
shrubbery arrested his attention and
downward progress ut the same time.
For minute or two he remained perfect
ly still then he peered carefully over the
roofs edgo. He saw man standing be-
low among tho trees, but who he was the
Squire couldn't mako out. Howbeit,
whoever he might be ho seemed scanning
the upper front window very closely. In
deed this view did not seem to satisfy
him, and like his - ''illustrious predoccs-
sor," he too passed round to the back of
the kitchen. The Squire became alarm
cd. He would be discovered now. GER
tainly. What should he do? He glanc-
cd hopelessly about until he caught sight
of the chimney-a largo, old-fash ionod
one running up from tho kitchen close
against and outside of the main building.
With quick movement no scrambled to
his feet into the deep corner and stood
close against tho wall.
"May bo," he thought, "the man will
go way before long, confound him !"
But the stranger seemed in no hurry to
leave; on the contrary he moved about a
few minutes and to tho consternaton Of
our friend on the roof, he began to ascend
tho ladder. If Squito Butterfeld ever
perspired in his life he did then. Altho'
it was n cold night, he was in profuse
sweat from head to foot. He gritted his
teeth, clenchod his hands, bit his lips till
the blood came, but nevertheless the in
truder made his way slowly but surely
up the slippery incline.
Goodness gracious What in Sam
Hill shut ] do ?" murmured the Squire
in his desperate fear. "I'd give any
thing, yes anything if was sa e AZ home.
! wish all the widows were in Guinea. ]
wish"
Eut the sentence was never completed.
The ice-alas the tfcacherous ice on the
roo?!" Suddenly, unexpectedly, with
out reconciliation or malice aforetbougbt
The 5quire's feet shot forward from under
him and with accuracy of aim and swift
ness O" motion seldom surpassed he bore
dove upon The stranger. That individu-
AL bold was very weak and uncertain at
bes; and he was lily prepared .or such an
onslaught. Therefore when tho Squire
strucI: bin he 700 assumed m unespoct-
ed momentum and both pasesd over the
roo together, The stranger descending in
10 the rain-barrel, feet foremost, and the
Squire making sad havoc with the wild
owls 5-apevines and arbor.
For q moment the stranger remained
within The barrel, and tho Squire among
the vines in which no had fallen, both 100
amazed and confounded 10 know what 10
do. Eut only for moment; then they
themselves and stepped out in
to tbe moonlight, the Squire with coat
torn clear 10 the back and tho stranger
very wet and dripping. And thus and
there, face 10 ace, they met.
"Brother Eutterfeld I"
"Mr. Grimp!'
There was n momentary silence after
.hese exclamations OF astonished recogni-
lion. Mr.. Grimp was the first to break
.he silence.
VIII you allow me to inquire, Broth
or Butterfeld, what you were doing on
the roof Of my house at this late hour ?"
Sartainly you may, Mr.. Grimp.
ame-because-tha isl came 10 sarve
That writ of yourn" answered the Squire,
relieved to find some excuse.
"Ah |"
" Yes, and I'd like to know what busi-
ness you had up there, Mr.. Grimp?"