Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-21
) ---s----1V so " ~--F7s
aailu Neanetee sournal.
THE .BELEAGUERED HOME.
looS1rSuEp FROM YESTERDAY.


Then Irealize,! for the first time was in
a yery desperate position. ! had only q
few pounds in my pocket, everything else
was locked up in this wotul bank. Trant-
er had come to the conclusion. that l was
socially moribund, and hoped to have the
picking of my bones. Tomorrow my
Cherished home would be in possession OF
the roughs; and to my poor wife would
perhaps be fatal. What should do' II
was cruel thing TO contemplate quietly
this invasion Of my hope at such crisis.
Surely any man with heart not altogeth-
er of stone would hold his band if he knew
all the circumstances of the case. VITA q
violent effort overcame my pride. and re-
solved that would humble myself before
the man and ask his forbearance.
"Wait here, David" said. Il may want
you;' and / hastily took my hat and went
out to Tanter's cottage. | thought saw
his face at the window, as passed. but
when his housekeeper came to the door,
she laughed in my face and denied that
he was at home. lie had gone ont. ard
probably would not be back till the next
day. Evidently Mr.. Tranter had taken
precautions not TO be spoken to on the SUD-
iect. ! returned home detected and mis-
cradle, The housemad was looking out
for me as l reached the gate. Her mis-
tress was taken I'LL David had been sent
to seek his wife. and must 60 and fetch
the doctor.
At midnight things were still IN sns-
pense. The doctor and nurse were in the
house, but Jane was still in her trouble.
The doctor talked cheerfully, but looked Il
little anxious. In one of the intervals
when he came down stairs for little re-
freshment, told him Of the position ia
which was placed.
You must keep them out, he SAID. "at
all hazards. If my patient has anything
to agitate her, it will be her death"
took David, who still remained about
the premises, into consultation He
frightened up when told him what in
tended to do, and entered heart and soul
into the enterprise. We We're to stand a
siege; it was necessary to lay our plans
carefully, and there was short time for
preparation. At any time after daybreak
the enemy might be upon US. In the first
place, as to the ontworks-the stable and
the coachouse-these must be locked up.
and the pony in someway got rid OF. for it
would be impossible to feed him during
the blockade. David volunteered to ride
off with the pony and leave him with
friend up in the hills. among whose pas
lures he would be safe from possible cap
ture. Then we must get rid OF useless
mouths. Cook and housemaid must 60
home for holiday, and David undertook
to get them out of the house. 1t would
be my business to look to the inner de-
fences Of the citadel.
The house was long and low, with ga
Il In,
tween. In one OF the gables was the
kitchen, and the servants bedrooms were
above that. The other wing contained
dining and drawing rooms, over which
were our bedroom and the guest-chamber
with another small closet bedroom light
ed from the roof My own little snug.
gerry was at the back, on the ground floor.
To this room aud the kitchen determined
to confine myself whilst the siege lasted.
went round the house, therefore, with
gimlet, screws and screw-driver, tasten-
ing all the windows, securely closing and
barring all the shutters. | muffied all the
bells in the house. There was no knock
er on the hall door, the upper part OF
which was glazed to give light to the hall.
The windows Of the upper rooms l secured
in the same way, except that OF my wiie's
L
myself. the catches Of which we've perfect.
and closed by strong springs. The back
door bolted and barred, but the hall
door simply locked-this to provide for
sudden ingress or egress on the part OF
the garrison. These precautions taken.
! felt rather easier in my mind, and sat
down to reflect upon the conditions OF the
contest and my relations with the outside
world.
First. as to the supplies-bread would
be indispensable, and milk. For the rest
there was a quarter OF mutton hanging in
the larder, and the cellar was pretty we'll
stocked with wine and ale. had almost
forgotten the necessity OF iireing, and that
our Goals were kept in shed outside.
Bringing this to mind with start. ! took
a coal scuttle and pail. and brought into
the house as much coal as would suffice
for few days consumption.
David presently returned In high glee
at having saved the pony from the enemy's
hands. and to him confided the difficulty
as to the bread and milk. The latter he
undertook to bring night and morning in
a can, and at concerted signal | was to
lower cord and hook from the upper
window and hoist it up. Bread enough
ioT iHIee uays supply He uhueilooh W
obtain.
Night dragged YEARLY OLA long night
of trouble and anguish for my poor wife.
of anguish almost to despair on my own
pant. She was passing through death for
my sake land could not put hand to help
her. The doctors face grew graver and
graver; the nurse, cheerful and chatty at
first, looked tagged and dispirited.
Strength was becoming exhausted. life
hung in the balance, and every moment
the balance was more unfayoraby in
clined.
At last, Just as gray dawn was breaking.
piping, babbing cry resounded through
the house. announcing the advent of a new
life upon the earth.
Well" said the doctor. gras ping ne
heartily by the hand, "it's fine boy, and
we shall do excellently now only perfect
quiet and stiffness and rest. She wants
to see you. but you must not stop min.
mr. ~