Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-12-07
Stlcttt0 Storp.
MAGGIE AND THE BURGLAR
"Ieu are not afraid. Maggie?"

S4c SIIalu' sald Magglc. I'D nc
lear torn with me. As for the house it:
the strongest fastened one ever was in.
lou say soursel! there's no lock burg.
lar could force. and am not tho one ,c
let IrampS 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 il; ani III have all b,igh, for your
new vile, Mr.. Archibald"
Shs called her master Mr. Archibald
still. the o,d won an. hut she was the
only one who sill used his Christian
name. lie was All eldeily man himself.
and had few Intimate friends. hospitality
not being one oi his virtues. lie was
7 ii h, and there was much Iha: was valu-
able ia The house. more ready money.
too, than most men kept about them, but
then It was as secure a. bank vault
patent lock and burglar alarm that frst
sent bullet into any one who sought to
enter by stealth. aud then rang belrto
wake the household. were attached TO
every door. aud furious watch dog
that lived on raw meat. was in the back
garder The Van Mott mansion could
have withslood siege at q moments
notice.
Mr.. Van Mott was a money dealer.
lie bad ways Of aceumulat ng property
which were mysterious to his neighbOrs,
and they were suspicious that the little
back parlor. sacred 10 business, had even
seen such lesser dealings as the loan OF
money on good watches. cashmere
shaWls and diamonds OF genteel dis
lress. Two or three mortgages that he
had brought up had been cruelty fore
closed; and be was hard landlord. and
bad person TO owe money to altogether.
On the whole he was disliked 10 The
place, as rich as be was, and would
have tound il hard to &c. a wife TO his
liking among his neighbors at Oakhsm.
However. having resolved TO marry
again-there had been 3 Mrs. Van Mott,
who had died yoare belore-he had
sough: out . wealthy widow Of q saving
disposition, who lived on q small farm
some miles out OF town. aud. having
already Cisinherited her daughter Tor
espousing an eslimable man of small
means, and turned her only son cut OF
doors for equally prudent reasons. was
not likely to bring any troubleso me
curiosity into her household. and had
offered himself and been accepted. And
now. though both their economical souls
revolled against it, custom required s
wedding display OF some SORT. and they
had decided to DO It as eheaply as posi-
ble.
For this brief time Mr.. Van Mott must
leave his business aud house, and it was
upon the eve of his departure that he
held the above conversation with his old
servant Standing with his portmant teau
10 his hand. and regarding her gravely.
Yes. yes" he said. Il presume it is
oil safe enough. And I'll speak to the
night walchman and give him dollar
to take q particular look at the house.
Well. goodbye. Maggie. make things as
neat as possible for il they look dirty my
wif0 may think the furniture old, and
want something new for the parlor. "
And Mr. Van Mott then departed.
YES. yes" said old Maggie, "Eo
doubt she'll have fine extravagant ways.
Poor master! WI pity ne should
marry 81 all-but old fools are the worst
fools. A young thing Of eight and forty,
too when he has sensible seryant,'ixty
last January, that knows what belongs
TO good housekeeping. II he wanted to
marry why didn't he ask meP Id not
have gone galavanting and spending
Ab. well, hall suffer not L." And Mag
gle trotted away to begin her sweeping
and dusting.
She had said truly that there was no
fear born with her, but as the night
drew on she tegan 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.
III was supersiitious." she said 10
herself Il should think something
dreadful was going to happen. feel
chilly up and down my back, and keep
thinking OF funerals. I'll make myself
cup of tea and see if 1 can't get over It,"
And according y old Maggie shut her,
self into the snug kitchen. and lighting
,vo candies drew a pot with the strongest