The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-05-02


some charm more potent than even the
fascinations of the beautiful Mrs. Mel
rose. From within came a mysterious
sound, from early morning late into the
night, ceasing at irregular intervals and
renewed with increased vigor. Mrs.
Melrose, aware of her vulnerable spot,
didn't dare to ask questions, and no one
else felt authorized to do so. John
crept to and from his meals wan and
silent as a ghost-sometimes he forgot
to eat. And still the mysterious sounds
went on.
Then fell upon Mrs. Leans boarding
house plague like to one of the plaques
of Egypt-a plague of caterpillers.
They were encountered everywhere.
The stout old sea captain, who had lost
a leg, smashed one on the stairs, and
came down with his wooden limb, be-
laboring the air, while its owner swore a
number of furious and ingenious oaths
that he would raze the grapevine.e
The maiden lady, whose normal con-
dition was doubt as to the general
cleanliness of things, discovered huge
one in her teacup, and packed her trunk
the same night.
Ticklings of spines and unpleasant
sensations on the scalps of different in
dividuals resulted in the capture of the
brown, hairy monsters. The boarders,
in body, gave warning that they could
not stay if the nuisance were not abated,
and Mrs. Lean was in despair.
Her son knew nothing of all this.
He shut himself up with the marvellous
whiz and whirr, appearing only at inter
walls, with a hectic flush on his cheeks
and a maniacal light in his eyes.
On certain Saturday night, when
the sea captain and the distressed widow
and various other members of the house.
hold were wrapped in slumber, John
Lean started to his feet. The curious
little loom at which he was at work
stopped as he did SO, and some part oi
the structure snapped.
Brokenv cried John aloud. "But
no matter. It's been done once, and il
can be done again."
And with frantic gestures he waved
above his head fragment of some darl
and indistinguishable substance.
Suddenly sound caught his ear.
AL believe she knows it. She feels m,
Joy. She will come to share it will
mer' he exclaimed, and, lifting a candl
from his loom, rushed to the door.
The rush of wind made by his hast,
movement extinguished the lamp, ant
care you coming?' whispered voic
at the foot of the stair, and down strod
John. 1t was voice that answered tn
pleadings of his heart.
"Coming! Coming!" he whispered.
"And you've got it at lastN'
"Just as I thought. She's en- rappol
with me-" said John, in stage, ,parer
thesis.
"Let me see," whispered feminin
voice, and light appeared, revealin
the fact that the white hands of Mr.
Melrose were holding small revolvin
lantern.
"Here, love-" said John Lean, still
a cautious whisper. "I will make who
coats of this, and wear them for yor
sake. It's caterpillar cloth. It's .
good as India-rubber CLOTH"
He laid the offering on one of the fa
hands holding the lantern. He saw
one astonished second-frst, the face {
the loveliest of women staring at hi
stupidity; then 1.-THE figure descende
the stairs, with unshod feet, and hus
bundle on its head. Tben he heard
shrek.
GA war-rum! A wur-rum! A wo
rump
Louder and louder each each time tt
dreadful thought recurred.
BE still, you idiotl" growled the IL
shea Apollo.
But it was too late. Lights fashe
above--white draperies appeared.
: the space of minute, half a doze
men, in ill-sorted garments, were on tt
scene of action. Then all the hou
gathered, and from the black bundle
, Monsieur Apollo's feet were rescue
silverware and jewelry-Mrs. Lean
l teaspoons, the sea captains magni6cel
watch, and countless other pickings al
stealings.
a "Let's get out of this" said MI
a Leans late admirer, with sudden i
spiration, seizing Mrs. Melrose by tt
arm, and out they got without hin
:, rance, leaving the assembled compal
G transfixed.
It $50 that's whate Ii the connivi
G meant" growled the captain, who,
d fore the times of fair Melrose, had be
d supposed to have sneaking fancy
Mrs. Lean.
IS Nobody spoke, but smile went rour
k Each dived for his own and departt
1T leaving mother and son alone.
a. John Lean, with gesture of ct
If tempt, rent the mysterious brown 81
Is stance in his fingers iuto minute fri
ments His mother, gathering tea-u
lie and half-dozen forks, the only artic
to of her tableware which had been fou
ID worth purloining, collected also
10 choking voice.
er Come, JOHN" said she. eco
as down and get cup of coffee. You Il
lie all done up"
ne John went.