Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-22
Mice LIppIneott's Prisoner.

teacher 10 lNllhdtlINlt seminary was
warmly urged by sweet Alice Lippincott TO
spend my summer vacation with her, You
may be sure gladly accepted the invitation.
The more So, as-but never mind John Lip
piucott; lac hasn't anything TO do with this
part of my story, anyhow.
West Philadelphia is built mp away be-
yond the Lippincotts now, but at the time
/ write Of, there were no dweling-houses
very near, excepting two or three Dutch
lager beer saloons and breweries which did
not add to the dcsirableness of the spot.
But it was q lovely home, and pleasant
ride to the CITY, so we spent happy, happy
days that golden summer
Uncle Sammy aud Aunt Sally Lippiucott,
rs everybody called them, were the dearest
and kindest Of good old llcksite Friends,
and did their best 10 make everybody happy
under their roof Alice was a darling girl,
and my dearest friend. George was no.
Bile, generous fellow, and as for John-well,
he is peeping over my shoulder this minute
to see what I'm going to write about him, so
! won't write q word.
Alice was a 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 spe-
cialty of beauty or brains, but John says
I'm do well enough, so that will answer
for me.
The sweet summer passed rapidly, and
the first Of September came, bringing my
vacation very near 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 a fall from his buggy, and
wanted Aunt Sally and himself to come
over.
They prepared to set out at once the only
objection being that Alice aud | would be
left alone, the two servants having received
permission to 60 to wedding, while the
boys-George aud .Iohn-were over in ,Ier-
sey for two or three days shooting
But | declared ! was not at all afraid to
stay alone, and Alice said, il 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 not to remain all night.
Now, Ally said Uncle Sammy, as they
got into the buggy, " thee and Kate Just
lock the doors and be good girls till We get
back. Nothing will hurt thee"
We're not afraid, We'll guard the castle
safely" said Alice, laughingly, and drawing
her little form mp yaliantly. And then we
babe them goodbye, and went back into the
great lonely house.
We locked up the doors, lit the lamps and
boltcd the inevitable hiladelphia-wh
window shutters, and then sat down to
amuse ourselves with some wonderful GRO
chet work.
1t was very still and lonely. but we did
not feel at all afraid, and, by-andby, mlled
by the uuwonted quiet We both grew
sleepy
it happened that the first ripe grapes of
the season had been brought in, aud put into
the cellar to keep fresh and cool, that very
day. To keep ourselves awake, Alice pro
posed that we should 60 down into the cellar
and get a few lunches to eat
] agreed so we went into the dining room.
took q small lamp from the side table. and
went into the cellar, through the door lead
ing down directly from the dining room.
The grapes were in 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 richest
clusters.
Kate, said she, presently, these are so
fine Let us 30 up stairs aud get a big
glass fruit dish aud 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 supposng her to mean her
father and mother, | only said
Very well, give me the lamp and I'll
wait here till you get the dish"
"No," she said let us take the lamp IN.
If try 10 come laundering down in the
dark, III be sure to break the dish. You 20
before, aud III carry the lamp
We went up stairs, in 'front.' Alice car
rying the lamp behind me. As turned at
the head OF the stairs, | saw that Alice was
as white as DEATH her blue eyes dilated and
| cleaning.
was about to speak in alarm, but before
| could utter word, she seized me, and
drew me into the china closet.
"Nhy, Alice, what is the matter with
you 2" | cried.
"kateH she said, solemnly, dropping into
a seat on box, "we are alone in this house,
and there is a man in that cellar %
Where Oh, you must be mistaken I" |
cried.
d" ! am not Mistaken saw him plainly,
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 p cried in terror.
Wemust take him prisoner :" said Alice,
/ firmly.
"Oh, we can't" cried. "I.et us get
out OF the house instantly and run for help,
| Alice 90
Where am afraid of those Dutchmen
at the saloon as much as of him, and there's
no one else near. Besides, he NAV have
coniederates outside, who would not let as
escape. We can't lock him in the cellar.
because mother has the keys in her pocket.
We must take him, Kate, aud very quick,
too, before he suspects"
Now was terribly frightened, but in gen.
eral, Alice was much more of coward
than | was, SO, when saw her courage
| rise TO meet the occasion, ! resolved not to
be behind her so | asked her what we
should do, and followed her directions with
heart beating painfully hard.
Alice quickly explained her plan, then
/ taking a strong linen napkin, she caught up
a bottle of chloroform from the closet Shelf
and saturated the napkin with it. Giving
me a slender stout rope, which hung be,
hind the closet door, and bidding me hide il
under my oyerskirt, she gave me the lamp
and taking the wet napkin herself, we went
down cellar.
Now talk meniy, so he won't suspect"
she whispered, as we reach the stairs, ard
then she said something in laughing tone
but I'm sure ! don't know what she said.
and don't believe she did. We descended
the stairs and then-Alioe sprang, swift as
lightning, upon the crouching form, flung
her arms around his neck, and held the
napkin with all her slender strength over his
mouth and nostils.
"Quick Kate, quick with your rope"
she gasped. flew TO her aid, and 80 sud
den aud unexpected was the attack, that
before the fellows struggles could free him
l had drawn the rope half dozen times
around him, and pulled ii as tight as