The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-06-13
ASurprise Party.

Mrs. Winston was sleeping softly, and
Mr.. Winston was sleeping loudly. That
didn't disturb him, for he was deaf; ii
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 no,
scream. She would not whisper to her
husband, or rather he couldn't hear if she
did. The burglars saw that she was
awake. One of them came up to the bed
III you wake him up he said, holding
pistol in bis hand-''if you wake him
up, I'll make short work with you and
with him, too. Where's your money!"
"Oh, don't touch me!' said the poor Ia.
dy, land will tell you where my money
is:my husband never keeps money in the
house."
where's ysur silver?'
1T is locked up, and will give you the
key. "Oh, please said little Mrs. Wits
ton, "please leave me nay mothers spoons
They have L. p. on them. She is dead
and you would not, surely, take her
spoons. You had q mother once
''If had, she didn't leave me no spoons
wish she had" said the man, grimlv
ooh, remember your mother, and now
she loved you when you were little and
good! What have done to you to make
you threaten to take my life?"
The poor lady clasped her hands; the
tears rolled down her cheeks. She prayed
aloud that the Lord would have mercy on
this poor man 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, in the
third bureau drawer, in the right hand
cornertwhat 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.
\ good-by to the seventy-five dollar
gray wrap with the hood and tiossy silk
tassels flashed through Mrs. Winston S
mind; but her life was more than her
raiment. One of the men fumbled in the
drawer.
Swear" said the other, that all your
money is in that purse"
Il give you my solemn world speak
the truth-seventy five dollars is all
have
Here it is" said the man.
mis- Whiston," cried Abigail Mar
stons strong voice over the stairs-Mls'
Winston, be you sick! Be you a-caliin'
me?"
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 tina.
seventy-tve dollars we'll 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
almos, falnting. Abigail lighted the gas
full blaze. Mr.. Winston. aroused from
pleasant dreams, opened his eyes, feeling
that day burst rather suddenly upon the
world, and was surprised to find the
standing by the bedside in
nightgown and ruffled nightcsp. Tapping
a wet towel in Mrs. Winston face.
What is itl" asked Mr.. Winston.
Yes, what is it," said Abigail. with
sheer: that's just what men are
good for. Weak women suppos,
en- to TIC good wathch- dogs. to
say the least and here they go a-sleepin'
and lettin' 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 tell the story.
~Oh. James" she concluded. I" there is
q soft spot in every rough soul / spoke
Of his mother to him. and PRAYED aloud
fer him"
And gave him my watch, suppose"
said her husband.
No, l didn't. / forgot you had g
watch, or that had one. | gave him my
money. He made me swear. with a pistol
at ny head. that had given him all /
had .
Mrs. Winston looked from Abigail,
vino was bathing her head. to her hus-
band. and from her husband TO Abigail,
Tor 3 moment.
What have l donel" she cried.
Yesterday when Aunt Jennings was
here with little Mamie. the child had the
and to amusesher gave her 4
any little bottle OF paregoric, 2nd-snd
yes, took all nv money out OF the lit
lie bead purse, and filed it with cotton
WOOL for her, and the robocr mas gone of
With nothing but that: and the seven
y-iive dollars are in M handkerchief
box
Abigail laughed 10 herself after she