Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-08-08
VOL. Sc. NO. p.
A MORNINGS EXPERIENCE.

family consisted of Mr.. and Mrs
Price, more commonly called Uncle
and Aunt Price Miss Abigail Price
spinster sister; Mrs. Richton, Auu1
Prices mother, an aged lady Of sew
enty years Mollie Jennings, niece
visiting the farm, and Bridget, a new
recruit from Ireland.
Uncle and Aunt Price were dressed
10 their best, and their ancient horse
Elijah, harnessed in an open wagon
was in readiness to take them t
church in the village, three miles
away. A hiatus, however, appeared
to have occurred in the proceedings
for Aunt Price stood in the middle o
the kitchen irresolutely swinging hel
parasol, while Uncle Price switched
the honeysuckle that grew around the
door with his whip; Miss Abigail
stood grimly regarding the twain
with her head tied in buster; Mol
lie had paused in the open parlol
door, Grandma Richton rocked fee.
bly, in the corner by the dresser, and
Bridget peered in from the sink-room
open-mouthed. t
WELL Miss Abigail was remarking
if you think its safe, far be it from mt
to make objections. You know
James and Joseph are both gone
'Sho ! put in Aunt Price, testify
it it's come to that It Marthy N
can't so to church Sundays, wei
move. We sha'n't be gone more'r
two hours. Jest lock up, all You like
and I'll resk your being troubled il
broad daylight
But, Uncle said Mollie, nervously
you know they went to SIMPSONS al
three in the afternoon, when they
were all out berrying, and they went
TO Floyd's-'
They'd naturally expect to get
something at Floyd's,' said Aun,
Price; 'but coming here right in the
face of parcel of women-tolk, for
the little we've got, would be some
different
'Humphv commented Miss Abb.
gail. "They might as well steal on,
spoons as any body else's; but, as !
said before, if you think it's safe, and
we a mile from any house, and the
bolt lost off the wash-room door, why,
then
'Bolt lost How's that?'
I'VE can't find it, that's all; and
there's no earthly way of locking it.
And here there've been six robberies
In fortnight, and almost murder.
well, well!' said Uncle Price,
latching the wash room door immed-
lately. I'll 60 round to Nathan's af-
ter service and get his pistols.
hain't thought much about it, but it
would be good plan to have 'em
here nights. Jest put IN a piece of
wood over this latch that'll hold it ;
and keep quiet and don't worry.
Lord! | never see nothing like you
for worrying. I've locked the barn,
and if anything comes round, you jest
pint that old gun of mine out the
chamber winder.'
Its loaded, amt it?' queried Aunt
Price, apprehensively.
Il guess it would go off to make a
noise. Abigail d want to fire some
thing, and she might as well try that.
You know the butt end, and that's all
that's necessary
'All right said Miss Abigail with
undated grimness. There's no tell
ing what may hit but it don't mat
ter much. If you come home and
find
Come, Marthy,' interrupted her
brother; 'we shall be late. Good-by
grandma. Jest keep quiet, and I'll
bet my best COW nothing II happen.
Whoa, Elijah! Back !!
Miss Abigail stood in the door un,
til the antique shawl, Aunt Prices red
shawl, and finally the crown of Uncle
Prices much-worn beaver hat had
disappeared beneath the crest of the
nearet hill; then, after taking a com
prehensive view of every part of the
farm that came within the range OF
her vision, and herself examining the
locks of the shed doors, she came back
into the kitchen, where Bridget,
whose fears had been greatly excited
by the foregoing conversation, had
collapsed upon chair, and Mollie
was spasmodically trying TO reassure
her.
There isn't the least danger, Bird
get-at least suppose there isn't
nothing may happen, you know.
We've only to keep the doors locked
and keep inside--just be sure you do
thst--and you needn't be afraid,
ended Mollie, who, beng from Bos.i
ton, with all city girls horror
burglars, very much exaggerated th
terrors of their position.
'Shure, an I'd niver left home for
a pla- ace where I'd be kilt intirely in
the da-ay tonne !! moaned Bridget,
with her face hidden in her apron
then suddenly sat upright, in fresh
aiarm, as gust of wind whistled
down the chimney and olapped a
blind together.
That's nothing but the wind. How
it does blow, though Aunt Abigail,
what are you going to do?'
Do? Ina going 20 fasten that
wash-room door! responded Miss
Abigail, who was dragging heavy
beam of wood across the shed, which
she proceeded to lean against the
door in question, bracing the other
end against the boiler. / don't want
any of Jonathan's little pieces of wood
stuck over latches. | mean to have
it safe. The latch don't hold, any.
way, anG a wind like this would have
that door open in minute. | don't
exactly like this arrangement either,
she added, cycling the uneven base OF
the beam with unfriendly eyes, while
Mollie stood sympathizingly ln the
doorway of the kitchen.
'Well,' continued Miss Abigail, after
final crowding in of the beam, Il
suppose that must answer. Now,
Bridget, we want dinner at quarter
past twelve. Get your fire made, and
let the cabbage be boiling. 1t won't
do any good TO sit there crying. I'll
take care of the pudding. I'm going