The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-10-16

m0mentary strength Dy the Slgnt OF the open
wash room door, which they had not thought
hoisted the beam again.
That's no good" she said hurriedly.
Here, Mollie, come and help me move this
secretary against the door. Mercy on us,
child, don't stop to be frightened nowl'' as
Mollie approached shaking in every limb
with terror. Now close those inner blinds
80 they can'tlook in, and shut the sitting
room door"
A fresh groan from the cellar, elected by
Grandma Richton's means which caused
Bridget to suppose that the whole household
was being murdered, did not add to Mollie's
comfort Miss Abigail having poured lini-
ment hastily over Grandma Richten's scalds,
hurried up stairs to watch the movements OF
the approaching enemy. She and Mollie,
crouchIng behind the yellow curtain of Un-
Gle Prices chamber window, peered forth.
The men had reached the back garden wall,
over which they were leisurely climbing.
They were rough looking, and evidently
bent on depreciation, for they occasionally
paused to help themselves to wind falls, /"
and once shook pear tree and flied their
pockets with the fruit with a GOODNESS that
caused Miss Abigail to take down the gun
and hold 1t at arms length as she brought it
to the window. .#
'.Oh, Aunt Abigail, take caret it'll go off,"
exclaimed Mollie.
81 mean 1t shall, If they do much more"
returned the spinster, turning the gun
go out of the way, Mollie might hit you
just like, or the thing might explode. 1t
hasn't been used for years."
"You ought to keep hold of something
when you fire it, suggested Mollie from the
other side of the bed. at will kick and
throw you down. Guns always do"
They're trying the back door, announced
m tel w
only knocked once. wonder If these rob
bers in the cellar belong to the same set.
They're shaking the door, the villains"
Two or three loud knocks sounded through
the house, and then the men tried the near
est window; finding that fast, another and
vet another, while Miss Abigail watched
them from above with fast growing
anger. They then took a leisurely survey of
the house, evidently undecided what to do
next
II wish 1 could bear what they re saying"
said the spinster, veXedly. "I heard all gone
to church. That one in red shirt said it. i
expect they'll get battering ram next. rn
keep still as long as / can"
Instead OF proceeding to any extreme
measures, however. the men calmly lighted
a couple OF pipes. during which operation
they more than once laughed uproariously
Meanwhile Miss Abigail aud Mollie followed
their course through the chambers, the
former still carrying the gun. Having come
back to their original starting point, they
held another consultation, after which, to
the amazement of the watchers, they went
off to the barn.
I'D like to know what that's for" ejacu-
lated Miss Abigail, at her wits end. They'll
steal that other horse, or else they'll get
something and break a window up here
and there's no knowing what those men
down cellar are about"
All was quiet for time, the stiffness being
only broken by the groans of Grandma Rica-
ton. The intruders were nowhere to be
seen. Finally Mollie, reconnoiterlng from
an attic window, discovered that they had
entered the corn barn by means OF rear
window, had opened the door, and were
seated upon two barrels, smoking.
Mercy on u.s." exclaimed Miss Abigail,
glancIng at the clock and then sinking into
a chair, ''here it's ten minutes of 12 O'Clock,
and Jonathan and Martha coming home
without a thought OF what's happened.
Jonathan'll drive right round that corn barn
as sure as fate and into the barn. They'll
be there lying In wait for him. They're sit
ting just where they can see the whole
length of the road, and they mean to do the
sly. They'll murder him and go off with
the plunder in the wagon-thats all
Mollle's cheeks grew paler yet
But aunt YOU know we can rush out
and warn him when he's at the foot of the
hill; and he'll have Uncle Nathan's pistol"
mot he! / never xnew Jonathan Price
to do anything the day he said he was going
to; and he's an old man-no match for those
two wretches. They just mean to kill him
and have their own way. There, they've
shut the corn barn door. l told you So"
1t did seem mysterious that the two naen
should have shut themselves in the corn
barn. Miss Abigail needed no further evil
depce of their evil Intentions
"Mollie," she said solemnly, there's only
just one thing to do. You must run across
lots and me ct Jonathan and tell him to
bring home two or three of the Clark boys
with him. We've got these people in the
cellar to dispose of. Tell them 70 hurry, for
II Bridget isn't dead already she's pretty
near that; I'd go myself, but 1 can't leave
you here alone I'll let you out by the
front door, and you can creep along behind
the walls"
"But what If they should chase nre?''
gasped Mollie.
"They won't see you; they've shut the
door. and you needn't run across the open
| fields"
"But, aunt, shall have to 90 out front,
and those men in the cellar will be sure to
see me. They must be watching; if they
should they might fire at me-"
Miss Abigail was only posed for moment.
"Well, I'll tell you. Put on pair OF JON
athan's pantaloons and his coat. Tuck your
hair up under this straw hat, and if they see
| you they'll think it is one of their accom-
plices Hurry, now, it is almost IL O'Clock y
1t was no use to remonstrate. Mollie was
hurried up stairs, not knowing whether to
laugh or cry, and too much frightened to do
either, and was put into the before menton'
| ed garments; then, without a moments de-
lay, she was pushed down to the front door.
Hurry, now!" said Miss Abigail. ''Ill
| have that gun up at the front window, and
| If one of 'em chsses you I'll fire at him."
"Don'tr' cried Mollie, horror stricken at
the prospect. you'll hit me instead.
won't go unless you"
"Well, well, run along" and the front
door was cautiously opened and was eau.
| tiousiy closed, and Mollie ran under the
| shelter of the east wall.
Uncle and Aunt Price, peacefully jogging
| homeward in the autumn sunlight, were
| amazed to see nondescript figure suddenly
appear from a clump OF bushes at the foot oi
| the hill.
Lord what's that?'' said Uncle Price, du.
biously, pulling up Elijah.
Il