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

let us escape. We can't lock him in the
cellar, because mother has the keys in her
rocket. We must take him. Kate. ana
ycry quick. too. before he suspects"
Now was terribly frightened, but in
general. Alice was much more OF cow
ard than | was. So when l saw her cour-
age rise TO meet the occasion. l resolved
not to be behind her, so l asked her what
we should do, and followed her directions
with heart beating painfully hard.
Alice quickly explained her plan, then
taking strong linen napkin. she canght
ND bottle of chloroform from the closer
shelf, and saturated the napkin with 1t.
Giving me a slender, stout rope, which
hung behind the closet door. and bidding
me hide it under my overskirt she gave
me the lamp, and taking the wet napkin
herself we went down cellar.
..Now talk merriiy. so he won't suspect,
she whispered, as we reached the stairs,
and then she said something in laughing
tone, but am sure don't know what she
said, and don't believe she did. We de-
scended the stairs, turned to cross the eel
lar. passed the angle of the stairs and then
Alice sprang, swift as lightning, upon
the crouching form, flung her arms about
his neck, and held the napkin with all her
slender strength over his mouth and nos
trils. -.
..Quick! Kate, quick with your rope
she gasped. flew to her aid, and so sud-
den and was unexpected was the attack,
that before the fellow struggles could free
him had drawn the rope halt dozen
times around him, and pulled it as tight as
could, tying it with all the force could
4 bo oh1opCfnru, hpOQn to
take effect, he rolled over before us like an
inanimate log.
Alice, bruised, painting, and almost faint
ing, dropped on the ground beside him.
"Oh! Kate! Kate! If some one was
only here she gasped. 81 don't know
how long he will stay under the influence
of this, and if he comes to, I'm afraid be IL
break the rope
''They wi surely be here soon! said !.
II, Oh, Alice! hear a buggy! Thank
heaven some one is coming!' And as the
sound of wheels and voices came to the
side porch, few up stairs. flung open
the side door of the dining room and, oh,
Joy, flung myself straight into John Lip
pincott's arms Don't be Mortified, reader,
for John and l were betrothed, and his
arms had held me before.
As quick as l could explained to the
astonished boys the situation we were in,
and we all went down together to poor
Alice.
She was still sitting on the ground be-
side her prisoner, white with pain as well
rs fright, for one of her wrists was terri
bly, sprained by the mans struggles.
"And you took this big fellow prisoner,
you girlsl Well!' was Johns comment as
he bent over our captive. Then he raised
tenderly in his strong arms, carried her
up and laid her on a lounge in the dining
room Both he and George then went in
TO the cellar, and with strong effort car
ried up the insensible ruffian and laid him
on the porch, to await Uncle Sammy's re-
turn.
They tightened the rope so he could not
possibly free himself till he came to. and
then bestowed their care upon US poor,
frightened and exhausted girls.
Very soon Uncle Sammy and Aunt Sally
arrived, and great was her CONSERVATION
upon hearing what had just happened.
George Immediately rode into the city at
ter the proper officers to take the burglar,
who came to his senses before they arrived.
He cursed and swore terribly as soon as
he could have use Of his tongue. and said
to Alice with an awful oath that if he had
dreamed that she saw him before she went
up stairs, neither she nor would have
left that cellar alive.
We were glad when the officers came
and took him away, and then what pet
and baby we made of Alice, and how ten
derby we cared for her poor little. slender
sprained wrist.
They would have a great fuss over me
too, John, especially, declaring that was
a brave girl. little soldier. etc. But l
disclaimed their honors. telling them that
but for Alice should have taken an igno-
minious flight, leaving the burglar to work
his will, and that Alice was the rightful
and only heroine of our adyenture.-ln-