The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-07-08
A Young Heroine.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE. |

we must take him prisoner ~ said
Alice, firmly.
ooh, we can't" | cried. "Let us get
out of the house instantly and run for
help, Alice!'
"Where9 l am afraid of those Dutch
men at the saloon as much as of him, and
there's no one else near. Besides he may
have confederates outside, who would not
let US escape. We can't lock him in the
cellar, because mother has the keys in her
pocket. We must take him, Kate, and
very quick, too, before he suspects"
Now | was terribly frightened, but in
general, Alice was much more of a coward
than | was. So when l saw her courage
rise to meet the occasion, | 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 caught
up a bottle of chloroform from the shelf,
and saturated the napkin with it. Giving
me slender, stout rope, which hung be-
hind 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 into the cellar
"Now talk merrily, so he wont 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 do not believe she did. We
descended the stairs, turned to cross the
cellar, 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
nostrils.
"Quick! Kate, quick! with your rope"
she gasped. | flew to her aid, and so sud
den and unexpected was the attack, that
before the fellows struggles could free him
l had drawn the rope half dozen times
around him, and pulled it as tight as
could, tying it with all the force | could
command; and as the chloroform began 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 he'll
break the rope"
"They will surely be here soonn' said l.
81, Oh, Alice. hear a buggy! Thank
heaven some one is comingW And as the
sound of wheels and voices came to the
side porch, flew up stairs, flung open
the side door of the diningroom and, oh,
Joy, flung myself straight into John Lip
pncott'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 l explained to the
astonished boys the situation we were in
and VIC all went down together to poor
Alice.
She was still sitting on the ground beside
her prisoner white with pain as well as
fright, for one of her wrists terribly
sprained by the mans struggles.
"And you took this big fellow prisoner,
you girls. Welin' was Johns comment
as he bent over our captive. Then he
raised her tenderly in his strong arms,
carried her up and laid her on a lounge in
the dining room. Both he and George
than went into the cellar, and with a
strong effort carried up the insensible
ruffian and laid him on the porch, to await
Uncle Sammy's return.
They frightened 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
after the proper officers to take the burg
lar, 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 great fuss over me
too, John, especially, declaring that was
a brave girl, a little soldier, etc. But I
disclaimed their honor telling them that
but for Alice l should have taken an igno-
minous flight leaving the burglar to work
his will, and that Alice was the rightful
and only heroine of our adventure.
Indiana Farmer.