Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-06-08


hurried up stairs, not knowing whether to
laugh or cry, and too much frightened to do
either. and was put into the aforementioned
garments; then, without a moments delay
she was pushed down to the front door.
Hurry, now!" said Miss Abigail. "Til
have that gun up at the front window. and il
one OF EN- chases YOU Il fire it at him.
DON'T" cried MOllie, horror stricken at
the prospect. You hit me instead l wont
GO unless YOU
well, well, run along" and the front door
was cautiously opened and as cautiously
closed, and Mollie ran under the shelter of the
east wall
Uncle and Aunt Price, peacefully jogging
homeward in the Scant autumn sunlight. Were
amazed to see nOndeScript figure suddenly
appear from clump OF haze! bushes at tn
Lord said Uncle Price, obviously, pull
ing up Elijah, VIVA. that?,'
Its crazy critter," exclaimed Aunt Price.
Do go along, Jonathan"
1T looks more like a running scarecrOW.
Stop, Marthy, don't touch the horSe-lt seems
to me them clothes looks natral:'
In momeni more the appari ion. clearing
the wall at bound, actually threw itself into
the wagon. The amaZement and amuSement
of the worthy couple were nlpped1n the 0u
by the story that the ''scarecrow' had to tell,
however.
ramOrSefully. Il got so SOrter Gained down
after hearing the sermon. I'll stop at Clarks
Huddup, Elijah"
dup; and in about fifteen minutes they drove
up to Uncle Prices farm, with three stOu
men in the back pa OF the wagon. Al was quiet;
Price, rendered warlike by his reinforce,
mentS drove straight to the corn barn, and
after careful survey around began to dis
mount
perhaps the door on the other side is open, ~
suggested Clark senior, whose quick eye had
detected two wreathS of smoke curling family
around the corner OF the building. II guess
they're only tramps. They take it pretty cool,
anyway"
A hearty, rolicking laugh rolling out from
behind the closed door caused Uncle Price to
stop and stare blankly before him: then to
jump to the ground and throw open the corn
barn door precipitately, in spite of a warning
cry from Miss Abigail. who had approached
from the house. There were the two causes
barrel the other in the midst of another
laugh.
his hat to the ground in the extremity of his
aStoniShment-'DavidH Henry!
Explanations enSued. The newcomers were
two sea-faring nephews of Uncle Prices who
had come down "between times to see how thu
farm stood it, and had taken up quarters in
the corn barn, meaning to surprise che family
on their return.
TOOK us for burglars" calculated David
Henry, going off into another laugh, which
communicated itself first to Uncle Price, then
to Aunt Marthy, then to the Clarks in success
sion, Miss Abigail alone remaining sober.
you've forgotten Bridget" she remark ed
briefly, when she could make herself heard
Uncle Price, good -natured face heightened
and he started for the house, preceded, how
ever. by the impulsive David Henry who
rushed into the open kitchen door like whirl-
wind and, unconscious of SnagS ahead
pitched headlOng over the clothes line, which
was still stretched across the room.
" Hello there!' Sa i'll Uncle Price, alarmed at
the clatter which his nnphew's boots made
among the milk pans on the dresser. "Are
you hurt
David Henry picked himself up, mutterng
something which had an oath in it about cat
lines and rigging" but deigned no farther an
SWer. All parties being now on the scene
Uncle Price cut the clothes line and eSSayed
to open the cellar door; bu' this was easier
said than done. Bridgets fright was as great
as ever.
1t required the combined strength of two
ClarkS to force the door; which being done
they discovered Bridget on the upper stairs
with not a particle of color in her Irish face
and her tongue cleaving to the roof of her
mouth in terror.
If any artist had depicted faithfully the
various persons gathered around that cellar
door, the picture would have made his for
tune. Clark senior was the first to perceive
the comedy of the affair, and broad grin
gradually spread over his face, which was
mlrrOred on the cOuntenanceS of his two sons.
In one minute the kitchen was ringing with
a universal and prolonged burst of laughter
One fact remains to be stated, that is, that
Bridget left the farm the next day. Miss Ali
gail says little concerning burglars, and less
concerning firearms. Whenever she doe j..
Uncle Price merely aludes to THAT Sunday
mornings experience. II Harper'S Weekly