Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-07-11
"Of course was the answer "Miylt
inquire what att
"You know can do most any thing


"Of course was the answer. "Miol,t
inquire what at!'
"You know can do most any thing
Dick.'
"Jcnny, chld," said my companion,
looking down upon me bcniynantly, and
stopping short in his walk dick ALWAYS
awed me when he assumed this elder
brother asDccu =" Jenny, child, it's Il
hard driven sort OF Il world you've put
your tiny self into-a place where its a
very bard matter to get footing, and
where. If your food slips, you're sure to
be carried out into deep water" Dick S
face darkcncd as he looked At the tide OF
people. Whatcvcr's fellow to do:
Winding up his discourse thus abruptly.
my friend pulled his hat down over his
highwayman
listened to this talk of Dicks, hu-
inflated and i'll at ease. Was I, then. a
mere aimlcss wnt'--a mere bit Of drift
wood atoat in this human torrent. even
aunt Maryery's chatting and Gliding were
better than this nothngncss. began to
feel very weary a remembrance OF my
quiet room and Of the blosonling apple
Dough that hung over the window came
to me vision-Iile.
"Dick: said !, abruptly I'm going
back"
All right, little one, patting me pat
ronizing|y on the shoulder: " the very
best thing you can CO..
"Not to stay, Dick" said l. vcxed at
the aIacrity with which he accepted the
proposition. $40; I've an idea in my
head"
look so,' responded Dick, sentcnti-
ously.
Dick, listen to Observation-Disclosures
~ shall sleep at Nurse Catterby:s to-
night, and if you meet me there. III
have something to help you
My darling.' cried Dick: but I re-
PEELED this later exhibition of affection.
Put me in the cars, my friend: I'm
hungry, you know, but there's no time 20
lose.''
In my feminine fertility Of resource I
fell myself infinitely superior to this
helpless, good heartcd-lump Of a Dick,
and nodded my head to him yaJly at
parting, without a thought OF failure.
In my room at Aunt Margc-v's there
hung a grand old-fashioned time keeper
with /; gold coin attached to its heavy
chain, and q big seal wherein glowed
ruby. Secretly regarded this as nv
own, for it had once been my mothers.
an heirloom OF the family the source of
endless disputes, as | had heard between
the glaspiny elder sister and the younger.
My mother was OF nigh spirit, and tin
ally, in a fit OF utter WEAKNESS and vexa-
ton, flung the watch, with all it glitter
ing appcndages, at her sisters feet.
Aunt Margcry had never returned it
that was not her way but it had never
been wound up since that day, and long
after my mothers death it hung silent
and shining in the room Gevo'cu to my
noe-perlaps Il superstitious offering to
the vexe'i spirit OF the departed. had
determined to go back without being
seen, if possible, and get this watch, ap-
propriating it. us felt sure MY mother
would approve, to aid myself and my
friend in our sore need.
The ride seemed long one: the road
wound about in a manner l llau never
observed before, with a persistent undS-
for revolving ways aud means for carry
ing out my scheme, till finally the moon
shone out ON the last evolution; and lcav-
ing the cars l trudged on afoot until the
sentinel pop!ars guarding Aunt Nargery's
gate with their long black shadows came
in view.
1t was with a beating heart, notwith-
standing my bravery, that took the key
OF the side door from my pocket, and en-
tered the familiar lomicile at night fall
like shadow.
1t was easy eDo'lgh to obtain access to
the inner part OF the house from here, for
most of the doors We're carclcssly latchcl
and I was not likely to meet any servant
at this time IN the evening. I remem "cr
a certain idc wiDdow-sill IN the hall.
cropping toward which I sat down to rest
myself, with curiously scared and
hunted feeling, which had not entered in
to my calculations when l planned this
audacious expedition. Then, removing
my shoes, slipped softly through the
long deserted passageway to my own
rooom. The door opened with a treach-
erous crcak that seemed bent to he1ray
me. 1t appeared an age before was
taiilv within.
tbs was my own pretty, pleasant Little
room. the shelter where I had so cI'1en
rasping voice and incessant fault finding
where had dreamed day-drcams and
revelled in nightly visions. This cher
ished and familiar little nook had chilli
ed to me in one days absence.
It had given possession to horde of
shadows that, hooking and gcsticulatins,
fitted to and fro in the uncertain light
Perhaps the breeze blown branch cs of the
elm outside played me this trick: but it
confused me strangely, and rendered nv
search for the watch long one. till it
seemed as if some tricksome elf bad
tilnchcd it to- distress me. At length,
however, my hand touched and grasped
the treasure: the heavy chain glided with
snaky GOODNESS through my fingers, and
l thrilled from head to foot with new
and strange sensation. For at that very
moment [ heard the door shut with
snap This noise in itself was not start
ling; no one was likely to hear it save
myself; but it announced that was trap
ped, prisoner, shared in my own net !;
for the door closed with spring, and
had left the kew on the outside
put my two hands to my head and
thought desperately for moment
There was 70 possible cgress now except
through Aunt Margery's room, with
which mine was connected by narrow
passage, How could I hope to pass
through without waking her? For Just
one instant l felt like despair How was
l TO help Dick nowl 1t must be done
However. gathered up my courage; I
remem bered the indignitics 1 had horne;
the needs of my friend, tho absolute
rightfulness of what I was dong, and,
strong in my resolution lided across the
hall-s,lently, slowly, lest the ghost of a
football should rouse the vigilant sleep
ers within. There was some thing dread
full in this. after: all This strange adj
vent among familiar things that look on
the intruder with sinister eyes is not u
desirable experience. True, was on a