River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-06-27


Now the pros pect was especially terrible,
and, with a muttered prayer TO Virgin.
she went down the stairs with occasional
haltings, and having fl led the basin with
almost miraculous speed. hurried back
again. But to-day the kitchen had al
most as many terrors Tor her as the cellar,
and halfway up the stairs she was start
led by violent gust Of wind and an
ominous sound above.
"Begorra, now muttered Bridget to
the potatoes, as she stopped in despera-
zion, 'sthe ould craythur himself's in the
houseln
Another blast of wind that shook wind
ows and doors. Bridget had reached the
OPP of the stairs. She had closed the
door leading lpta the wa>h-roo,~ half an
hour ago. From behind this door sound
ed rumble which seemed caused by the
sliding of some heavy body, followed by
some violent clatter; then came some
heavy shock against it, which seemed to
Bridget's excited senses like the thunders
of the Judgement Day. The door burst
open and never doubling that robbers
and murderers were behind it, Bridget
dropped the potatoes with a shrek that
ran through the house, and rushing back
to the cellar, pushed the door together,
and held II with strength of despera
ton.
Mollie, in the chamber above, reused
from her book by this startling inter-
ruption, sprang into the center OF the
room, and listened moment, with face
as white as her dress. There was final
crash below, and with the least idea what
she was doing, Noble started for the
kitchen in such haste that she fell down
the last FIVE of the back stairs, and bust
ing open the door at the foot, rolle1 into
the lower room, where she picked herself
up, too much excited to think OF her
business. Potatoes were scattered over
the floor in every direction. The kitch-
en- door was open. the wash-reom door
was open. and the beam lay on the floor
From behind the cellar door came a halt
smothered moan. Mollie had scarce
time to realize these facts before Miss
Abigail arrived ON the scene, breathless
with excitement
"Oh, a,ntlo gasped Mollie, Mortified
at the sound of another groan behind the
cellar door, ''some ones down cellar, and
Bridget's there / do believe she's hall
murdered, 'Sh | must have frightened
EN- tumbing down stairs
How many of 'em re thereW querled
Miss Abigail, in hoarse whisper, glanc-
ing around for some weapon Of defense
81 don't know. guess there are two
Miss Abigail waited for no more, but
nerved by the thought of Bridget in the
hands Cf murder ers, seized the kettle o.
boiling water from the stove, and rushing
| to the cellar door, which opened from the
| kitchen, threw herself against It, She
soon found that the door was held on tht
other side, and that it would require hel
utmost efforts to open it.
'Come and take this!" she said tt
Mollie, holding out the kettle.
| There was d trial of strength. Mis-
Abigail muscular energy was not des
| picable, but Bridget was desperate, ant
would have died before the door should
have been opened. The spinster wa
forced to give up the contest, and stooc
back. baffied and exasperated. A brigh
idea, however, presently darted through
her mind and signing to Mollie to follow
/ II,
leaving the kettle in the first handy pace
which happened to be the lowest step o
the back stairs, obeyed; but Miss Abigail
was already on the way back with TN
clothes-line in her hand.
"If we can't get IN" she explained, il
a neavous whisper, they sha'n't get on
at any rate! | don't see as we can hell
Bridget any. but we can keep 'em dow
there till Jonathan gets back. There
only one window, and that's barred ant
too small for man to crawl through.
Miss Abigail proceeded hastily to til
a slip knot around the old-fashionet
IS handlen os the latch of the cellar door
which she drew tight; then, crossing tn
kitchen, she passed the other end OF tn
line around the pump, and making
"taur" with considerable exertion, wount
| it around again and again, and FINAL.
tied it in an unskillful but viciousl
twitched knot. Mollie. who in spite, 0
her concern for Bridget, had been in ter
ror lest the outlaws should suddenl
burst out upon them, drew a long breat
of relief when this was done; but he
satisfaction was disturbed by sharp ez
|
ton, alarmed at the noise, had crep
feebly down the back stairs to " fiat
| Abigail" had, of course, fallen over til
kettle of boiling water, amidst rivulets o
whichshe was feebly struggling.
" There! now she's killed herself!
calculated Miss Abigail. diving under tn
rope to the rescue, while Mollie locke
on in horror.
Grandma Kicnton was lifted and lat
on a couch in the corner, and while Mis-
| Abigail, oblivious of everything, for tn
moment. was ascertainIng the extent o
! her injuries, Mollie commenced ner
vous promenade about the room. 1t wa
| in the midst of this promenade that sh
happened TO glance out Of the west win
dow, and saw, to her utter horror, tn
figures of two strange men comm:
s. across lots'' toward the house. Their
are no words in the English Language
strong enough to express Mollie's feel
1ngs at this luncture. She just clutche'
feebly at Miss Abigail's dress, as the lat
ter hurried past her IN search Of RENE
dies for scalds.
"Auntl aunt! there are two more o
theml Seep'
Miss Abigail looked out at the window
then back at her mother, and stood stock
still in genuine despair; then, inspired
with momentary strength by the sight 0
the open Mushroom door, which the,
| had not thought o. shutting, she hasten
ed to close it, and hoist the beam again
"That's no good she said hurriedly
"Here, Mollie, come and help me NOV
this secretary against the door. Mere.
on us, child, don't stop TO be frightened
now p she added. as Mollie appoache
shaking in every limb with terror. NOV
close these inner blinds, 50 they can
look in, and shut the sittingroom door
| A fresh groan from the cellar, elieltet
bv Grandma Richton's means, which
caused Bridget to suppose that the whole
household was beng murdered, did no
add to Mollies comfort. Miss Abigail
having poured liniment hastily owe
Graz dina Richtons scaIds, hurried VI