Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-11-15
and I had time to get settled and feel

/ liked our new residence very much,
but the effect of country air upon Eliza
was actually bewildering. Every morn
ing at daybreak she was in the grounds,
trees like boy of ten instead
of a girl of fourteen, swinging from
high boughs by her crossed feet or
clasped hands, running, shouting, per-
fectly crazy with her new found liberty
and pleasure She was very small, and,
in perfect health had never
grown plump. The painful attenuation
of her figure was gone, out she was still
slender.
My husband aad been gone from home
about two months when the first of
train of incidents occurred which
nearly proved disastrous in result. A
maiden aunt of mine died, leaving to
me, her namesake, large quantity of
valuable plate, casket of old-fasnioned
and costly jewels, and bonds for fifty
thousand dollars. To my great con-
sternation, the entire property was, by
the terms of her will, handed over to
me intact; being sent by her executors
to my new residence without any direc-
tons from me.
1t was early Saturday morning when
the boxes were brought to me, and GER
tainly never did legacy find colder
welcome.
My brother was away for week, and
Eliza and | were alone in the house.
AS the carmen deposited their precious
burden, | noticed one of them looking
around him with quick, inquiring
glances, and said to Eliza
"Go to the study, and tell your
master the books he ordered have
come"
Quick as flash she understood me,
and darted away. Returning in a mo-
ment. she said?
Master says leave them here, and he
will unpack them after dinner"
| paid the men, saw them depart, and
then fastened every door and window in
the house.
Eliza" / said. " the stuff there will
bring thieves upon as, as sure as We are
alive On Monday [ can send it all to
town again to the bank, but i'll the
meantime -"
BURY it," said Eliza, who had been
through a course of sensation stories,
anu IdIlloI eIlJOySu tlle SlGtldllOD.
"Bury it! Where?"
"Under the dog kennel. | was think
ing yesterday what a famous hiding
place it would make"
First examining my treasures, and
giving my aunt anything but thanks
for her eccentric Will, which has sent
the boxes untouched from her treasure
closit to me | concluded TO act upon
Eliza's suggestion.
We moved the dog-kennel. dug a
large hole in the soft earth under it,
and buried the boxes, heavy enough to
sink of themselves to quiet depth re-
placing some of the earth and the ken
nel we removed the remainder of the
dirt to Il distant corner Of the grounds,
and satisfied ourselves that no traces of
our task remained.
Saturday night passed undisturbed
and no alarming incident occurred on
Sunday, SO we retired on Sunday even
ing, satisfied that no one knew our pos
sessions, and we could sleep in peace.
Eliza went to her own room in the third
story, and | to mine on the floor below.
1t must have been after midnight
when | was awakened by the certainty
of some one being in my room, although
heard no sound. [ was wide awake
instantly, and moment later heard a
low whisper that chilled the blood in
my VEINS.
THAT was all blind about a master
in the house." said the voice. There's
nobody with the lady but that little GAL -
You're sure there was silver in the
havoc oD oclyo5 a SoonnI 1-oioo
"Sure. There were cracks in one
box, and l knew by the heft. | amt
been carman ten years without know
ing the feel of plate. Now, where is it
slowed p
The voices came from a small room
adjoining mine, which the thieves must
have entered by the window, reaching
that by a porch. AS quietly as could
l stole from bed. put on my stockings
and slippers, threw dressing gown
around me and opened my door, mean
ing to send Eliza, if possible, to the vii
liage for help.
But | was heard. A shout behind me
sent my feet flying to ELIAS room. For
tunately it reused her also, and she
opened the door just as | reached it.
we Wo1o lllolic diiu INC uOOI lOCk6u
again as my pursuers gained the land
ing:
"They are up here somewhere" said
one. You sit on the stairs and keep
them up, while Jim and 1 find them
boxes If we can't find them we'll come
up and make the women tell where
they are"
"All right" was the answer, and we
heard the footsteps descending.
ooh, Eliza, we are lost!' I whis-
pered.
"Tkey will kill us!'
Imagine my astonishment when Eliza
answered me, as coolly as if | was in
some domestic difficulty, at the same
time lighting a candle:
Don't worry, ma'am; I'll fix EN-"
What do you mean p
I'm going to the village for help.
You stay here, and keep the door fast
put the bedstead against it. The locks
good and strong-that's one comfort
If they break in, hold out as long as you
can, I'll not be long
" But you cannot get down stairs.
Did you not hear? There's a man in
the entry"
LET him stay there" was the cool
answer. I'm going UP the chimney,
across the roof, down the waterspout to
the porch-roof, then its easy climbing to
the ground"
You'll break your neck!n' l cried:
Not L." she said, with short laugh.
I've done more than that, just for fun u
Before could demonstrate further,
she had finished her hurried dressing,
and was in the wide chimney place. Up
the yawning passage she scrambled like
a cat, and was out on the roof, and look
ing over at me.
A II r;rbt co f,rV cI,o-,; =, . -.