The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-10-16
A MORNINGS EXPERIENCE.
THarper's Weekly,I


The Price family were gathered in the
kitchen one Sunday morning. The family
consisted of Mr.. and Mrs. Price, commonly
called Uncle" and Aunt Price, Miss Abb
gall Price, a splnster sister, Mrs. Richton,
Mrs Prices mother, an aged lady OF 20 years,
Mollie Jennings, niece visiting the farm,
and Bridget, new recruit from Ireland.
Uncle and Aunt Price were dressed in
their best, and their ancient horse Elijah,
harnessed in open wagon in readiness TO
take them to church in the village three
miles away. A hiatus, however, appeared to
have occurred in the proceedings, for Aunt
Price stood in the middle Of the kitchen ir-
resolutely swinging her 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 a duster; Mollie had paused in
the open parlcr door, Grandma Richton
rocked feebly in the corner by the dresser,
and Bridget peered in from the sink room
open-moutbed.
'WelI," Miss Abigail was remarking, ''if
YOU think it's safe, far, far be it from me to
make objections You know James and Jo-
seph are both gone
'Sho" put in Uncle Price, testify, "if it's
come to that Marthy'n I can't go to church
Sundays, we'll move. We shan't be gone
more'n two hours. Jest lock up, all you
like, and Pn resk your being troubled in
broad daylight
''But, uuc e." said Mollie, nervously, ''you
know they We Mt to SIMPSONS at o'clock
in the afternoon, when they were all out
berrying. and they went to Floyd's-"
They'd naturally expect to get some
thing a. Fioyds," said Aunt Price, "but
coming here right in the face of parcel of
women folk for the little we've got would
be something different"
"Humphp commented Miss Abigail.
''They might as well steal our spoons as
49, aI~ hfrf II coil hnfo ~ Won
thing it's safe, and we a mile from any
house, and the bolt lost off the wash room
door, why then"
bolt lost2 How's thatP'
1--WE can't find it. that's all; and there's
no earthly way of locking it. And here
there've been six robberies and almost a
murder in fortnight"
swell, WE'LL" said Uncle Price, latching
the wash room door, meditatively. "I'll GO
round to Nathan's after service and get his
pistols. j hain't thought so much about it,
but it would be good p an to have 'em
here nights Jest put in piece of wood
oyer this latch; thatll hold it; and keep
quiet and don't worry Lord never see
nothing like you for worry. I've locked
the barn, and if anybody comes around Just
pint that old gun of mine out of the cham
Der winder."
'It is loaded, amt it?" queried Aunt
Price, apprehensively.
noise Abigail want to fire something, and
she might as well try that You know the
butt End, and that's ali that's necessary"
"An right" said Miss Abigail, with un.
abated grimness There's no telling what
may hit, and it don't matter much. IL you
come home and find"
"Come Marthy," interrupted her brother,
Eve shall be late. Good by grandma. Jest
keep quiet, and I'll bet my best COW moth
ingll happen. Whoa, EJijsh Backp
Miss Abigail stood in the door until the
antique wagon, Aunt Prices red shawl, and
finally the crown Of Uncle Prices much worn
beaver had disappeared beneath the crest OF
the nearest hill; then, after taking a compre-
hensive view of every part of the farm that
came within the range of her vision, and her
self examining the LOCKS of the shed doors,
she came back into the kitchen, where Brid-
get, whose fears had been greatly excited
during the foregoing conversation, had col.
Iapsed upon a chair, and MoliIe was spas
medically trying TO reassure her.
'sThere isn't the least danger, Bridget; 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
TO do tbat-snd you needn't be afraid, y
ended Molie, who, being from Boston, with
all a city girls horror of burglars, very
much exaggerated the terrors OF their POSI-
ton.
s.Shure an I'd never left home for a
pla ace where I'd be kilt intirely in the day
toimel moaned Bridget, with her face hid
den in her apron; then suddenly sat upright
in fresh alarm ss a gust OF wind whistied
down the chimney and clapped blind to
gether.
THAT'S nothing but the wind. How il
does blow, though. Aunt Abigail, what are
You going to d5?''
dor I'm going to fasten that wash room
door" responded Miss Abigail, who wa'
dragging heavy beam Of wood across the