Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-08-13


certainly harsh voices and the tramp o
men rot far of Presently glare as o
torches could be seen,a red light illnmin
sting the atmosphere.
Barry. you owe 1t to as to save your.
selfr' cried my mother, with fearless
strained eyes snd clasped bands; and wa
children went down on our knees 10 I'm
r re hin to hide himself;
What vu1ld DC the good OF my hid
inSP he asked They would only burn
the house over our heads.'
"You know how well you can take OF
Biddy.' said my mother, and sho has
cone homo for the evening. Put on one
of her dresses, and talk Irish to them.
You may divert their attention, and We
will tell them they must search olso-
where for you
My father stood ir-esolute, but the
shouts OF the bloodthirs,y mob could
no9 be heard. as they csme-s drunken,
disoyjerly bodY-across the lawn. lie
gave enc look y. my mother. another of
.ho childran. and then hastily left the
rocm, mother following Back jim in
the meantime had made dis escape The
noises were growing louder and more
bid d,oas.
Ths house was locked with the usual
ias;oniogs, and before the furious mob
had reached tho outer door, mother came
in again. still! deadly pale, but very
quiet
As thirk OF it now, see that lille
mother OF miue-so small. so irsil in the
light ot a Zeal heroine. as she drew her
children together, and told them VIA:
20 10 aud say in case the house was
searched. Scarcely had she ceased when
tuanieIous noises commenced
Mother took one OF the tail candles
and wen; herself to undo the fas,cnings
Of the great door. When i! opaned,
there Has sudden silence. Isapposo
tie appearance OF thai LITTLE. fearless
woman. with hsy pale face swed them
ior the moment.
Whist 90 you want, gentleman ? she
asked quietly.
The msn the masihet shouted
one or two voices.
he heard ,ha, you were coming, aud
you mus, search for him else where. said
ms mother. calmly.
Some lew were disposed to moro
away, bat the most OF tho rough crowd
aad been iudplging in whiskoy, end were
esger 20 saiisiY more brutal instincts.
They pressed forward through the hall
into the great dining-room.
A moro terrific crowd, rs sen by he
daring Of the torches, could scaycolJ be
found. Their clothes we're ragged aud
dirty, their hats torn. their faces noi.her
washed nor shayon.
They made froe with the house, and
quickly invaded the kilchoG. w9e.s Biddy
McGraG ssssi.ed them with vigorous
Irish. fairly driving them back with Tho
broom. the tongs, or whatever came
bA1dy-Biddy being. OF course. Our
father.
Ia the midst OF the hurry burly the
door opened, snd who should appear but
the original Bridget! Eat with her quick
Irish Wit she took in tho situation iu-
stanlly, and saved US.
Sure, Biddy,' she said, LOOKING at her
master. what's all this hallobaloo9 ''
they re alter Inc old lord, they csn's find
him hero, and Ihe Pother's too sharp for
hiu. Besides, yen have 10 lave any
how, tor the mother oV Us is In sore
throu5.c. I've just come from there 10
tell We tha. LaIry's took down. an the
doctor says h'S case OF the small pox
sure. and that OF tho baddest kindp
You should have seen that crowd
break and scatter The Irish have more
dread OF the smallpox than they have OF
Inc gal!ows. la teW minutes tho house
was cleared.
Tie night passed without further mo-
les.ation to our household. The next
dsy before dawn iather lett tho house in
disguise. and We did not see him again
tiil the country was qciet.
You may b0 sure the memory oi BTidg-
ct was always held sacred in our
family"