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

ASurprise Party.
Mrs. Winston was sleeping softly, and
Mr. Winston was sleeping loudly. That
didn't disturb him, for he was deaf; it
didn't disturb her for she was very tired.
The servants in the attic were asleep,
and all was peaceful and calm. 1t was
about one o'clock.
Suddenly Mrs. Winston started. In
the moonlight she saw two men stepping
softly about the room. She did not
soeam. She would not whisper to her
husband, or rather he couldn't hear if she
did. The burglars saw that she Vas
awake. One of them came up to the bed.
If you wake him up he said, holding
a pistol in bis hand eff you wake him
up, I'll make short work with you and
with him, too. Where's your money!
.0h, don't touch me!n said the poor la
dy, ''and I will tell you where my money
is my husband never keeps money in the
house,
aWhcre's your silver9"
1T is locked up, and will give you the
KEY. sob, please, said little Mrs. Whis-
ton, 'splease leave me nay mothers spoons
They have L. p. on them, She is dead,
and you would not, surely, take her
spoons! You had mother once
sIf had, she didn t leave me no spoons.
wish she had,1 said the man, grimly
s,Oh, remember your mother, and how
she loved you when you were little and
good What have done to you to make
you threaten to take my lifeg"
L, ha L.
tears rolled down her cheeks. She prayed
aloud that the Lord would have mercy on
this poor mans SOUL and lead him to a
better life. The man seemed touched.
"You tell me where your money is, and
don't wake that man, and I'll clear out
and won't hurt YOU"
"Well," said Mrs. Winston, lin the
third bureau drawer, in the right-hand
corner( what luck for the burglar that it
wasn't in the upper drawer, you will find
little silk-and bead purse with seventy
FIVE dollars in it in bills.
A good-by 10 the seventy-five dollar
gray wrap with the hood and fossy silk
tassels flashed through Mrs. Whiston's
mind; but her life was more than her
raiment One of the men fumbled in the
drawer.
'sSwear," said the other, 'that all your
money is in that purse
II give you my solemn world speak
the truth--seventy- five dollars is all
have"
Here it is" said the man.
"Mis' Whiston,n cried Abigail Mar
ston's strong. voice over the stairs-MI
Winston, be you sick2 Be you a-callin
me2"
Oh, what music that was!
The men took no time to ask for the
key to the silver closet. They knew from
the voice that Abigail was none of the
fainting kind of lady, and they fled down
stairs and slammed the door, feeling that
seventy five dollars well repaid them.
At the sound of the flying feet, Abigail
ran down after them. She looked about
the house and saw that everything was
locked, and then came into Mrs
Whiston's room. The poor lady was
almost fainting. Abigail lighted the gas
full blaze. Alr. Winston, aroused from
pleasant dreams, opened his eyes, feeling
that day burst rather suddenly upon the
world, and was surprised to find the
seamstress standing by the bedside in a
nightgown and ruffied nightcap, Tapping
a wet towel in Mrs. Whiston's face.
..What is it?n asked Mr. Winston.
Yes, what is itl" said Abigail, with a
sneer; "that's just what men are
good for. Weak women suppose
EN- to be good wathch-dogs, to
say the least, and here they go a-sleepin
and Iettin' their wives wrestle with high
way robbers and pickpockets, and sleep
and sleep, as if that must be done, come
what WILL
Mrs. Winston. reviving from her faint
proceeded to tel the story
sob, James" she concluded, " there is
soft spot in every rough soul. | spoke
of his mother to him, and prayed aloud
for him.
"And gave him my watch, suppose,
said her husband
mo, | didn't / forgot you had a
watch, or that had one. gave him my
money. He made me swear, with pistol
at my head, that had given him all !
had
Mrs. Winston looked from Abigail,
who was bathing her head, to her hus-
band, and from her husband to Abigail,
for moment.
"What have I done?" she cried.
yesterday when Aunt Jennings was
here, with little Mamie, the child had the
toothache, and to amusesher | gave her a
tiny little bottle of paregoric, and-and
yes, ] took ali my money out OF the hit
tie bead purse, and filed it with cotton
wool for her, and the robber has gone of
with nothing but that; and the seven
ty-fve dollars are in my handkerchief
box"
Abigail laughed to herself after she
had gone back to bed, to hear Mr.. Wins
ton shaking the doors and windows.
"Thats dreadful brave" she said. I'D
like to know who it was that run after
them robbers, man or a woman. Mems
dreadful brave, amt theyl
The family used to laugh at Mrs
Winston and say she was sorry the bur.
glars dida't get the money. Mr.. Winston
said they would think her most con
summate liar and hypocriteand so
suppose they did but have no doubt
they thought she was very brave shrewd
woman.
Mr.. Winston had bars put across the
basement doors. SO suppose the mex
visit the burglars pay will be through
window - Youths CompdnsoR.
THE BLACK HILLS.