Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-11-21

bourne and communicate with the DO
lice And | hear that mine is not Tn
only house these burglarious gentr
have favored with call; they appea
to have come down from London on
regular excursion tour among lionel
country houses"
Here was cheerful visitorl fel
inexpressibly provoked at the ill-iudge,
story. In Maggie's nervous state
was enough to make her quite i'll. Blu
Mr.. Calling, engrossed in his own mis-
fortunes, was blind to any effect hi
talked and dwelt on the subject of tn
burglars despite every effort of mine b
turn the conversation.
" | hope l have not alarmed you, Mrs
Sinclair" he said, as he rose to take hi
leave.
I" You have certainly done your hes
to do so," | answered, rather snap
pishly.
"Bless me, I'm extremely sorry, Tn
sure, but such an occurrence is one tha
one cannot help speaking about. How
ever, If you ladies feel the least nervou,
at being here alone, do allow me &c
send the pony chaise over to fetch you
to my house."
80, thank you, but it would be inn
possible TO leave the children" an.
swered Maggie.
Him." said Mr.. Calling, hesitating.
ly, "there are six of them, are there
not, as well as the babyP We should
be glad enough to take you all in,
only"
"Of COURSE" l said, laughing, we
are rather too large a party to inflict
ourselves on any ones hospitality. But
if you feel timid, Maggie, why don't
you accept Mr.. Catling's kind offerF
The children will be safe enough with
mo, and if burglars do come I'll throw
a cup of cold water over them"
was not the least alarmed at the
idea of robbers coming to our house,
but l did feel anxious about Maggie,
and would have been glad to have seen
her safely away. Nothing, however,
would induce Maggie to leave the chill
dren, and as Mr.. Calling could not pos
sibly house us all, his kindly offer had
to be declined.
IL tell you what I'll do" he said, as
he took his leave; "it's too late to 90
so far to-day, but I'll ride into Settle
bourne the first thing tomorrow, and
see if they could spare Constable Just
for day or two to watch this house
Being ladies alone, without any man
on the premises, this might be likely
house to be attempted" added the un-
lucky man, who seemed doomed to
make injudicious remarks.
Maggie sat down trembling. "Do
you think there is really any dangerP"
she faltered.
" How silly you are Maggier ex-
claimed. Most likely, while we are
talking, Morgan has the thieves in
Settlebourne Jail. They would never
be foolish enough to rob another house
close in the same neighborhood, after
they knew an alarm had been raised,
in any case. You are terrifying her to
DEATH" l whispered Indignantly to Mr..
Calling, who was so overcome by the
reproach that he burst into elaborate
apologies and explanations till he got
fairly out of the room.
"Stupid creature" l said, as he rode
away. "I hope you won't allow this
occurrence to frighten you, Maggie"
The burglars really came though,
Jane"
"All the less reason for their paying
us visit" And l went on endeavor-
ing to reassure the invalid, but with
very partial success.
Maggie was really very unwell, and
this story made a deeper impression
upon her than it would have done on a
person in health. In vain the children
and played our liveliest games, and
at least kept the house noisy. Maggie
was too depressed to join in our merri-
ment, and when the little ones retired
to bed and quiet fell on the mansion
she fairly broke down, and, with q fit
of hysterical tears, declared she was
sure, quite sure, that our house would
be attacked that night.
To argue with her was useless. l
persuaded her to lie down, and at last
had the satisfaction of seeing her fall
asleep, but with so troubled a slumber
that did not leave her side till nearly
midnight.
had said that 1 did not believe in
any danger from burglars; but after the
worry of the day and the fatigue of my
unwonted vigil | myself began to feel
dull and out of sorts, and found my
mind dwelling on the possibilities of
our house being attempted. We were
a family of women exclusively; our
gardener came daily from the viila. g
and did not sleep on the premises, al
though in any case an old man would
have been poor help in danger. The
game-keeper and his son were our
nearest protectors, and must own that
l rather wished their cottage was
nearer.
''Pm getting as silly as Maggie"
said to myself, as l resolutely drew the
Oedclothes over my ears TO stop myself
listening for imaginary voices. 81 do
.hink fancies are Infectious" And so
l fell asleep.
l suppose l had slept some hours,
when l was awakened by q terrified
whisper at my ear" Miss Jane, Miss
Jane, they're a-trying our back door!"
started up and beheld the nurse and
lursery-maid, in strange and wondrous
iishabille, standing by my bed.
Its gospel truth what Maria says,
miss" gasped nurse, Il portly woman,
Who looked white with terror; ''you
,an see them with your own eyes out of
he day nursery window. Two horrid
ooking ruiiians as ever came to murder
Door innocent women-ugh! ughr'
Don't wake your mistress, womanr'
cried. "In her delicate state it might
nearly kill her."
"That's what | said, MISS" struck
n Maria. 81 says, come to Miss Jane;
ihe amt afraid Of anything"
This estimate of my courage was very
iattering, but, at the present moment,
hardly true, for l did feel terribly
afraid. My only hope was that the
were mistaken.
Come and see for yourself, miss"
'obbed nurse. 81 had got up to give
1aby his bottle, and went into the day
nursery to fetch the matches, which
Maria had forgot, and there under the
heard voices"
"Men's voices, MISS" put in Maria,
VIas Il -. A L