Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-21

A YOUNG HEROINE.
BY MATTE DYER BRITTs.

1
the edge-of West Philadelphia. more
than mile from the Schuylkili, stands the
hospital mansion of Samuel Lippincott,
the cheeriest, cosiest, most homelike house
wherever any one made visit.
| SO when l, Kate Newhouse, tired music
teacher, in philadelphia Seminary, was
warmly urged by sweet Alice Lippincott
to spend my summer vacation with her,
you may be sure l gladly accepted the in
vitatlon. The more so, as-but never mind
John Lippincott, (hough l do mind him
every day. for that matter, he hasn't any
thing to do with this part of my story any
how.
West Philadelphia is built up away be.
yond the Lippincott's now, but at the time
write of. there were no dwelling houses
very near, excepting two or three Dutch
lager beer saloons and breweries which
did not add to the desirableness of the
spot. But it was a lovely home, and a
pleasant ride to the main city, SO we spent
happy. happy days that golden bright
summer.
Uncle Sammy and Aunt Sally Lippin.
colt, as everybody called them, were the
dearest and kindest of good old H;cksite
Friends, and did their best to make every.
body happy under their roof. Alice was
darling girl and my dearest friend.
George was noble, generous fellow, and
as for John-,well, he is peeping over my
shoulder this minute.to see what I'm go.
ing to write about him, SO I won't write a
word.
| Alice was 4 little creature. with fair hair
and blue eyes, modest and retiring in her
disposition and rather inclined TO be cow
ardly. was brunette, having no spec
ialty of beauty or brains, but as John says,
''rll do well enough" so that much will
answer for me.
The sweet summer passed rapidly, and
the first of September came, bringing my
| vacation very near to its close.
One evening, just after supper. word
came to Uncle Sammy that his brother.
who lived in the city, away up Wallace
street, was severely hurt by fall from
his buggy, and wanted Aunt Sally and
himself TO come over.
They prepared to set ont at once, the on.
| ly objection being that Alice and would
be left alone, the two servants having re-
ceived permission to go to wedding,
while the boys-George and John-were
over in Jersey for two or three days
shooting.
But declared was not at all afraid to
stay alone, and Alice said if they would
promise not to stay all night she was not
afraid, either.
They promised to be back by ten o'clock,
if possible, and anyway not to remain all
night.
"Now, Ally" said Uncle Sammy, las
they got into the buggy, ''thee and Kate
| till we get back. Nothing will hurt thee
"We're not afraid, we'll guard the cas-
| tie safely, and capture all invaders - said
Alice. laughingly, and drawing her little
| form up valiantly. And then we bade
them goodbye, and went back into the
great lonely house.
| We locked up the doors. lit the lamps
and bolted the nevitable-Philadelph
white window shutters, and then sat down
to amuse ourselves with some wonderful
crochet work.
| 1t was very still and lonely, but we did
not feel at all afraid, and by-and-by. lulled
by the unwonted quiet we both grew
sleepy.
1t happened that the first ripe grapes of
the season had been brought in, and put
into the cellar to keep fresh and cool,
that very day. To keep ourselves awake.
Alice proposed that we should go down
into the cellar and get few punches to
eat.
| agreed, so we went into the dining
room, took a small lamp from the side
table, and went into the cellar, through
the door leading directly from the dining
| room.
The grapes were in a basket upon the
further side OF the cellar We crossed
over to them, and Alice. STOPPING with the
lamp in her hand, began TO select the rich
est clusters.
'kate," said she, presently, .'lhese are
so fine! Let us goup stairs and get big
glass fruit dish and take some up for the
rest of the folks
1t struck me then that there was an odd
tone to her voice, and wondered what
folks she meant, but supposing her to mean
her father and mother. only said:
''Very we'll, give me the lamp, and III
wait here till you get the dish"
| NO" she said "let US take the lamp
up. If try to come laundering down in
the dark, I'll be sure to break the dish.
You 90 before, and I'll carry the lamp"
| We went up stairs, l in front. Alice
carrying the lamp behind me. As turned
at the head of the stairs, / saw that Alice
was as white as death, her blue eyes dilat.
ed and cleaning.
| was about to speak in alarm, but be-
fore could utter a word, she seized me.
and drew me into the china closet.
| "Why, Alice. what in the name of the
people is the matter with you?" cried.
"Kate r she said. solemnly, dropping
into a seat on box, "we are alone In this
house. and there is man in that cellar -
"WhereP Oh, you must be mistaken -
cried.
II am not mistaken-I saw him. plain.
ly. when stopped to get the grapes. lie
is crouched under the cellar stairs in the
shadow he means to rob us, Kate"
"Oh, what can we do?' l cried in ter
ror.
We must take him prisoner." said
Alicer firmly.
"Oh, we can't! l cried LET MS get
out of the house instantly and run for help,
Alicer'
"Where? am afraid of those Dutch
men at the saloon as much as OF him. and
there's no one else near. Besides he NAV
have considerates outside, who would not
! CONCLUDED ON FOURTH pAcr