Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-02-05
Alice Lippincott's Prisoner.
AN ANEsTHETIC STORY.

AWAY OuG III Inc euSe-OT IL useu W
be the edge-Of West Philadelphia, more
than mile from the Schuylkill. stands
the hospitable mansion of Samuel Lip
pincott, the cheeriest, cosiest, most home
like house wherever any one made visit
So when I, Kate Newhouse, tired mu-
sic teacher in Philadelphia seminary,
was warmly urged by sweet Alice Lip
pincott to spend my summer vacation
with her, you may be sure gladly ac-
cepted the invitation. The more so, as
but never mind John Lippincott, he
hasn't anything to do with this part of
my story, anyhow.
West Philadelphia is built up away
beyond the Lippincott's now, but at the
time | write Of there were no dwelling
houses very near, excepting two or three
Dutch lager beer saloons and breweries
which did not add to the desirableness
OF the spot. But it was lovely home,
and "a pleasant ride to the city, so we
spent happy, happy days that golden
summer.
Uncle Sammy and Aunt Sally Lippin-
colt, as everybody called them, were the
dearest and kindest of good old Hick-
site friends, and did their best to make
everybody happy under their roof. Alice
was a darling girl and my dearest friend.
George was noble, 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 l
won't write word.
Alice was little creature. with fair
hair and blue eyes, modest and retiring
in her disposition, and rather inclined
to be cowardly. l was brunette, hav-
ing no speciality of beauty or brains, but
John says, 'I'll do well enough" so
that Will answer for me.
The sweet summer passed rapidly,
and the first of September came. bring
ing my vacation vs-y near Its close.
oHv 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 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 and |
would be left alone, the two servants
having received permission to go to a
wedding, while the boys-GeOrge and
John-were over in Jersey for two or
three days shooting.
But declared was not at all afraid
to stay alone, and Alice said if they
would promise not to stay all night she
was not afraid, either.
They promised to be back by 10
o'clock, if possible, and anyway not to
remain all night
"Now, Ally said Uncle Sammy, as
they got into the buggy, "thee and Kate
just lock up the doors and be good girls
till we get back. Nothing will hurt thee. u
"We're not afraid, we'll guard the
castle safely" said Alice, laughingly,
and drawing her little form up valiant
ly. And then we babe them good-by and
went back into the great lonely house.
We locked up the doors, lit the lamp:
and bolted the nevitable-Philadelphia
white window shutters, and then sat
down to amuse ourselves with some won
derful crochet work.
1t was very still and lonely, but We
did not feel at all afraid, and by and by
lulled by the unwonted quiet, we bott
grew sleepy.
1t happened that the first ripe grape
of the season had been brought in, anc
put into the cellar to keep fresh ant
cool, that very day. To keep oursel
awake, Alice proposed that we shoul'
go down into the cellar and get fey
punches to eat.
l agreed, so we went into the dining
room, took small lamp from the sid
table, and went into the cellar, throug
the door leading down directly from tn
dining-room.
The grapes were in basket upon tn
further side of the cellar. We crosse
over to them, and Alice, STOPPING wit
the lamp in her hand, began to selec
the richest clusters.
Kate" said she, presently. "thes
are SO fine |! Let us go up stairs and g
a big glass fruit dish and take some u
for the rest of the folks"
1t struck me then that there was a
odd tone to her voice, and l wondere
what folks she meant, but supposin
{ her to mean her father and mother,
only said F.:
Every well, give me the lamp, an
! I'll wait here till you get the dish"
| "No," she said, "let US take the Ian
t up. If try to come blundering dow
in the dark, I'll be sure to break Il
dish. You 60 before, and I'll carry Il
r lamp" d.
p We went up stairs. l in front, Ali
: carrying the lamp behind me. AS
d turned at the head of the stairs, sa
i that lice was as white as daath h