The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-07-04

upright, in fresh alarm, as gust of wind
whistled down the chimney and clapped a
blind together.
"Thats nothing but the wind. How it
does blow, though! Aunt Abigail, what
are you going to ds2"
"Do? I'm goingtoiasten that Mushroom
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. IL don t
want any Of Jonathan's little pieces of
wood stuck over latches. I mean to have
it safe. The latch don't hold, ANYWAY.
and wind like this would have that door
open in minute. don't exactly like
this arrangement, either" she added, eye
ing the uneven base of the beam with I'm
friendly eyes, while Mollie stood sym
pathizingly, in the doorway of the kitch-
en-.
"Well," continued Miss Abigail, after a
final crowding in Of the beam. "Well
suppose that must answer Now
Bridget we want dinner at quarter past
twelve. Get your fire made and let the
cabbage be boiling. 1t wont do any good
to sit there crying. I'll take care of the
pudding. I'm going upstairs to put
mother to bed. If you want anything
speak to me, and cont unlock door for
your life. Mollie will you Just see tat
the lower windows are fastened"
After a thorough examination of the
aforesaid easements, Miss Abigail came
back and took her invalid mother in
charge, with final caution to Bridget to
let her know if she saw anyone COM
ing" Mollie. somewhat reasurel by the
existing quiet, went up to her own room
and tried to forget the present in the
latest Of Mrs. Southworth's novels
MeanN lille it would be impossible to
describe the condition Of Brldget's mind,
thus left alone in the kitchen Being
firmly impressed with the conviction that
unknown perils beset ner, at first she
dared not move from her chair. The
cackling Of the sociable fowls outside
the door and each fresh gust of autumn
wind caused her new terror. Finally,
after long waiting, she gained courage to
cross the room and light t e fire, moving
about on tiptoe, with terrified CLAM be.
hind her. If Miss Abigail had known
that 1t was quarter past eleven before
the cabbage was put over the fire, she
would certainly have scolded: but for
tunately she had enough to do upstairs.
Bridget at last took heart to grace, and
selling the wash basin, started tor the
cellar, and the potatoes which were in
IS farther corner. Bridget never entered
this cellar, which was excessively dark
and irregular, without crossing herself.
Now the pros ect was especially terrible,
and, with a muttered prayer to Virgin.
she went down the stairs with occasi onal
haltings, and having filled the basin with
almost miraculous speed. hurried back
again. But to-day the kitchen had al
most as many terrors Tor her as the cellar,
and halfway up the stairs she was start
led by a violent gust Of wind and an
ominous sound above.
"Begorra, now,' muttered Bridget to
the potatoes, as she stopped in despera-
ton. the ould craythur himself's in the
house,
Another blast OF wind that shook wind
ows and doors. Bridget had reached the
OPP of the stairs. She had closed the
door leading into the wash-rooI' half an
hour ago From behind this door sound
ed rumble which seemed caused by the
sliding of some heavy body, followed by
some violent clatter; then came some
heavy shock against it, which seemed to
Bridget's excited senses like the thunders
OF the Judgement-Day. The door burst
open and never doubling that robbers
and murderers were behind it, Bridget
dropped the potatoes with q shrek that
ran through the house, and rushing back
10 the cellar, pushed the door together,
and held 1t with Il strength OF despera
lion.
Mollie, in the chamber above. reused
from her book by this startling inter
rupton, sprang into the center OF the
room, and listened a moment, with face
as white as her dress. There was a final
crash below, and with the least idea what
she was doing, Mollie started for the
| kitchen in such haste that she fell down
the last five of the back stairs, and bust
ing open the door at the foot. rolled into
the lower room, where she picked herself
up, too much excited to think OF her
business Potatoes were scattered over
the floor in every direction. The kitch-
en- door was open. the washroom door
was open, and the beam lay on the floor.
From behind the cellar door came half
smothered moan. Mollie had scarce
time to realize these facts before Miss
Abigail arrived on the scene, breathless
with excitement.
"Oh, aunt" gasped Mollie. Mortified
at the sound OF aSbther sroan behind the
cellar door. some ones down cellar, and
Bridgets therel do believe she's halt
murdered Sh, must have frightened
EN- tumbling doEn stairs.
How many OF 'em sre there. querled
Miss Abigail. in hoarse whisper. glanc-
ing around for some weapon of defense
Il don't know. l guess there are two. :
Miss Abigail waited for no more, but
nerved By the thought of Bridget IN the
hands Ct murder ers, seized the kettle Of
boiling water from the steve, and rushing
to the cellar door, which opened from ths
kitchen. threw herself against 1t Shit
soon found that the door was held on the
other side. and that it would require hel
utmost efforts to open il.
. Come and take tnisl' she said Il
, Mollie, holding out the kettle.