The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-06-03

ness Of your intentions" said Mr.. Dean
quite seriously.
mo one but you and Of course ycu
would not testify against me-"
Indeed, | should" returned Mr.. Dean,
with the air Of a stern, impartial judge.
"Oh, papa, | won't believe it. !"
"Yes," said the inexorable father. al
mean it. IF you burn up Mr.. Marshall's
barn. | shall tell all about the matter"
"Apd seud me to prison o.
ITO be sure. | would be sorry, Of
course, as it would deprive me of valu.
able house. keeper Nevertheless, |
should feel bound to do it," Aud Mr..
Dean, looking into the large blue eyes
which gaaed at him with such a serious
expression, seemed half in earnest.
Come, come, Alice ho exclaimed, at
length. ut is high time for US to put
stop to such talk as this and, what is
more, you must promise mo not to her.
Dor such dangerous notions in that busy
brain of yours"
II cant promise. 1t is impossible to
control ones thoughts you know" re.
turned Alice, With a shake Of the head
that was comically serious.
VERY WE'LL" said Mr.. Dean "then 1
must put you in straight.jacket, and
keep you where you will be in no danger
of doing mischief"
Here the pretty incendiary burst into
her usual merry laugh, kissed her father,
5ade him good night, and went to her
room, coming back to say
III won't burn the barn tonight, papa,
80 you can rest 10 peace"
1t was late in March, and the day had
been very warm one Of those sutry days
which sometimes comes unexpectedly,
and, taking US unawares, half PROSTATE
US with their sudden heat. Clouds had
threatened all the evening-great masses
which seemed to gsthcr blackness as they
rolled westward, and at midnight low
growls Of thunder began to break the
stiffness, and the big drops Of rain to pat.
ter noisily against the window pane.
Alice awoke. and lay watching the
vivid flashes which now and then lighted
up her room, and left it backcr darkness
than before. when suddenly there came q
sharp deafeniug crash, then peal after
peal of thunder, which seemed to shake
tho old house to its very foundations, and
to shiver and vibrate through its every
inch of mortar and stone.
Alice buried her head among the bed.
clothes, Quaking with fear and halt
benumbod by the shock. When she at
last ventured to uncover her head, and
looked out from her retreat the room was
all aglow, every object in ii as plainly
seen as at MONDAY. 1t could not be the
lightning, for it remained growing bright.
or and brighter. Jumping from her bed
she rushed to the window, and saw a sight
which chained her to the spot, forgetful
of everything but wha. was before her.
The barn was in flames
The Lightning had struck it and set fire
to its contents. Tops upon tons of hay
were burning fercely. The dry masses,
kind'ed into huge, red mountain Of
roaring, leaping flames, shon9 lur;dly up.
on the black sky, and glared over the
country for miles around.
In the weird, fitful beauty Of the scene
Alice was for the time unmindful that it
was Of any direct, personal interest to
her, when suddenly it occurred to her what
it was, and she flew to her fathers room,
half wild with excitement and delight
Mr.. Deans room was on the opposite
side Of the house, and he had seen no
signs of the fire. Being sound sleeper,
the thunder had ouly partially disturbed
him, so that he was no more than half
awake when Alice came bouncing to his
bedside. exclaiming
"Oh, papa, papa the barn is burning:
but | didn't do it. You see | was right,
though, for Providence has taken the at.
; fair into his own hands, and saved me The
trouble"
Alice, are you crazy ?" said Mr. Dean,
as by the dim light Of the lamp he saw
her whirling about the room, performing
a rapturous pas Seul. and looking in ner
long white gown like very frisky goat
She had no little trouble 10 convincing
her father that she was in her right mind
aud inducing him to follow her as she
hurried back to her post by the window
to watch the remainder of the brilliant
spectacle.
There was no more sleep that night
for the family in the stone house, and
when morning broke, cloudless and beau
titu after the storm, there lay the uutar
nished landscape spread out before them
iu all its old, familiar beauty, aud Mar.
shall's barn heap of ruius at their feet.
For one short week Mr.. Dean and hi,
daughter ieioiced over this unlock for
deliverance. They blessed the storm
and congratulated themselves morning
noon and night, as they gazcd upon the
unbroken prospect, which had ncvei
seemed half 80 charming before Thcr
there began to be stir among the few
charred and blackcned timbers which the
fire bad spread-frcsh ones were deposit.
ed beside them, load after load OF build
ing materials arrived, and to their uttel
dismay, they learned that the barn wa
to be rebuilt Mr. Dean demonstrated t.
no purpose, and friendly ueighbors vainl,
tried their persuasion- On the obstinat,
old man. Young Marshall, who wa
deeply mortified aud grieved at his faith
er's course, exerted all the eloquene,
which he possessed to prevent the carry
ing out Of this malicious design; but tn
only reply he received was, See here, m,
boy, you come and go as you choose, anc
interfere with none of your plans. Yol
act your pleasure"
So the work went on with all po.sibl
speed, and raising day was at hand
crowd had gathered, as was usual on suoi
occasions in the country. The hug
frame was being slowly hoisted to it
place, with loud shouts and cheers an,
heave. -hoys, when some part of tn