Connecticut western news., 1876-10-06
A NIGHT L0DGER.

When I was in my twelfth year, papa and mamma made up their minds to take pleasure trip to the ''Far West. !" This was something unusual; they sell dom left home. We'll, they went, and lny two sisters, two brothers and myself had gay time housekeeping.
 One day, all except myself and our servant girl were invited to a dinner party. confess I dreaded to have them go.
 "Kate, we will bring you any amount of candy"
 Now, pet, you know you and Sally can stay here just as we'll as not"
 "Don't be baby, Kitty "-were the words directed to me.
 Finally I .resignedly bade them |" get out of my sight,"
 Sally and I were good friends; she told me stories and sang songs till I be- gan to think it was quite fine thing to be left at home.
 Tired of staying in the house, I saun- tered down the front walk, and amused myself by indulging in forbidden pleasure-swinging on the gate.
 Looking down tie road, Ispied man com ng along. I flew to the house, and, satisie d that he was coming in, ran to Sally. Seizing her dress with both hands, exclaimed:
 "Oh, Sally there is dreadful look ing man coming in."
 Sally picked up the poker and walked to the door, while I, initiating her ex- ample, snatched stick of wood. Sud denly Sally cried:
 You little goose, it is Bill Mo Carty l"
 Sure enough, it was Sally's beau. Her mother was very sick, and McCarty was sent to bring Sally home immediately.
 Here was dilemma. Sally didn't want to leave me, and unless she started home then, she might not see her moth CT alive. It was nearly time for the rest of the folks to come home, so managed to raise courage enough to say I was willing to remain alone.
 In few minutes Sally was off, and I was left in possession of our great house, which never seemed so large to me before. I tried to read, but it was impossible; all the murder stories had ever heard came to my mind.
 remembered that none of our doors could be locked. Papa, who had few strange ideas, declared locks were a nuisance. I felt that I was doomed.
 I went out to the yard, and, to my dismay, discovered that the sky was overcast and storm near at hand. could see the rain coming; faster and faster it came; it was soon at the house. Oh, how it did rain
 On each side of our yard was brook, pretty and peaceful in pleasant weather, but very little rain transformed them both into raging torrents.
 As I stood at the window I saw first one bridge, and then the other, swept off. knew now that must stay alone all night; it would be impossible for my brothers and sisters to get home.
 Travellers, or, as Sally called them "trampers, often stopped at our houst over night, as there was no public house near. To my horror, now saw one o them coming across the fields. Shoulc hides No, that was not to be thought of. Without stopping to knock, tht great rough man walked in.
 "Can I stay here all night?' I dared not refuse him, so, as firmly as I could, answered:
 "Yes."
 He seemed surprised at seeing no on, but myself, and questioned me much I told him my brother was up stair writing that we two were alone. Ina was the first thing that entered m, head to tell him. Such a villainou countenance that man had
 His hair was cut close to his head leaving his huge ears in bold relief Wicked looking eye, and bruta mouth, completed his general expres sion of ferocity.
 Bedtime came, and directed the maj . to room up stairs in the servants de partment, not the Cup stairs where had said my brother was.
 Now that there was real danger, was calm and reasonable. I fastene, = the door that led up stairs with my em broidery scissors, which happened to be ii my pocket, so as to guard againstsurprise ! and hurriedly collecting our silverware y carried it to mammals room and hid in the bed. No one would have suI 2 posed the bed had been disturbed. was elated at my ingenuity.
 then hunted up what jewels the girl possessed, and placing them, with wha money could find in box, tied them i my pocket. After doing this, I stole dow stairs and removed my scissors frol the door. These scissors were counte among my most valuable treasures.
 had had them many years, and had D !. intention of losing them now. I expected the man would only wa