Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-06-12
conjecture it was Tom. for l could not see

How could prevent it? l could not o..
out, could not reach Tom. Suddenly
remembered the telegraph Office on tn
second floor. If could summon helm from
-. 1t was only five miles, and ther
was long job for the burglars before the
could open the safe.
! Could creep around the staircase
one OF those busy men turn his heal wa
lost. L softly crept out on all fours, slow
lly, watchfully, and gained the stairs. u
darted, blessing my India rubber shoes
tlIl gained the door of the TELEGRAPH
office. All dark there, and | dared no
strike match.
listened, and then leaving the doc
open. CROPPED my way to the well know
desk. and gave the si3 nal at c..
could hear my own heart throbs as wait
ed for the answer. Ii came! Sill WORKING
In the dark. sent this message:
:" Burglars in the Baysvile Bank vault
Waterman gagged and bound! Can yo,
send help?"
Again the agony of suspense in listen
ing, but ut last the sound reached ME:
- Will send help immediately"
l crept to the head of the staircase
afraid the clear ring of the instrument had
been beard in the vault; but no one came
up stairs. The window of the telegraph
office faced the street, so returned boiled
myself in safely, and sat down to watch.
The town clock gave one resonant
stroke, breaking the deep silence, and nc
signs of life were visible on the lono
stretch of road leading to G.. wa,
numb with cold, wishing heartily that
had not left Toms basket under the stair.
case, thinking regretfully of my own cozy
bed, when | heard afar off the sound OF
horses feet.
No sister Anne, in Blue Boards tower,
was ever more watchtul than l was then.
Would the burglars take The alarm?
The building made Il corner of two
streets. and | saw eight mounted men
dash up the road, separate, and while four
dismounted in front, four went to the rear.
The burglars were unprepared for this
flank movement, for while the police in
front were laundering at the main en-
trance, the robbers rushed to the rear
basement door, right into the arms of the
police stationed there
l could hear the hubbub, pistol shots
fired. the scuffie of feet. cries, oaths and
general confusion, and l slipped down
stairs, out of the now deserted main en-.
trance and home.
Everybody was abed, and went to nv
own room, had good crying spell, and
my half frozen body in double
blankets where soon fell asleep.
All this was on Friday night and I had
no teaching TO do until Monday, so | slept
late; but coming down, found all the fam.
lily pepared to make heroine of me.
" never knew until mother told me
this morning. said Tom, " that it wasn't
grandpa who sent tue telegram to c..
BY Jove. Olive, you're spunky if you are
little"
Il gave up when four of them pounced
IN me from one of the upper rooms.
They must have got in through the day
md hid there.
tried to make the Knights promise not
o tell Of my adventure, but could not. |
3tfore night all Baysville knew how
olive Hudson caught the burglars. l was
n the office with grandpa, when over the
wires came this message:
"What does Olive Hudson look likep
Everybody in Dryden is talking about her
,reat exploit"
| flashed back:
What do you suppose such woman
Tould look like9 She is nearly six feet,
road shouldered and loud voiced, per-
ect Elephant"
WAS it really yourself, ELEPHANT?
Dear Lion, it really was !"
DO you know, | want to see you. | |
m going to New York to-day, but II be
ack next spring"
If he came to Baysville he did not see
ne. ran away in II fit of shyness.
In March wonderful Thing happened |
ly MOI hers brother, who had been seven
cen years, nearly all my life time, in |
,uba, came home to New York, found me
ut, and took me into life of ease and
lXury, making me his pet in his splendid |
ouse. He was II bachelor. over fifty years
/ age, handsome and well informed, and !
nth large wealth.
lie introduced me to old friends of his
wn, and my circle of acquaintancts
'idened every day. | was entirely happy,
IL we loved each other we'll
One day Urcle George brought home to
inc, IA stranger whom he introduced to
le AS:
The son of an old friend, Olive, Mr..
.oberts"
| made myself agreeable. rs in duty
ound, to Mr. Roberts, a man of thirty or
lereabouts, with lace that was down
ght ugly, but pleasant from the expires
on of frank good humor and Intelligence
pon it. We talked of everything, and |
'as surprised at the congeniality of taste
"a a liua !.
nssion of heroines, Mr.. Roberts. turning
, Uncle George, said:
You were kindly inqniring this morn
lg about my fortune since father died,
ut did not tell you of one little episode.
efore | was fortunate enough to obtain
~ present lucrative situation, | was for
me telegraph operator in small place
,lled Dry den, and then | heard of real
eroine, of whom the world will probably
ever hear"
/ knew what was coming, but l kept
y face perfectly composed to listen.
hen the story was finished. giving Uncle
gorge sly pinch to keep him quiet,
lid:
"What kind of looking person was
e wonderful heroine?
L ucNeI saw lCT lot bltuOuSu Days
lie was the next village to Dryden, {
aver went there. But she was described {
Inc as tall. strong and masculine"
{" In short, my dear Lion" l said, {
ravely, "She was n perfect Elephant" :
Such n stare us greeted me am certain
aver came upon Leo Roberts face before |
since that hour. His eyes dilated till :
thought that they would pop out of his {
BAR, ugly face, and his mouth opened in ,
Ter amazement. Finally, he remem- {
cred his manners, and gasped:
q" Pardon me, Twas it really you?"
Uncle George" l said, "will yon
ease introduce me properly to Mr.. Rob-
tsP believe he thinks your niece must
are your name."
With flourish Uucle George arose,
I'd gravely introduced: .
" Mr.. Leo Roberts. Miss Olive Hudson,
Miss Hudson, MIR. Roberts," :
After that We could not certainly be )
rangers, and Mr.. Roberts came many
ne and oft to dine with Uncle George. ,
And one day there was wedding. =,
here the bride was very small, buried in
ce and orange blossoms, and the BRIDE /
Dom was ugly and good natured; but