Louisiana capitolian., 1879-08-16

'J "y0' VII V''o uVV'' VoiJ SCuVly
opened and a head made it's appea
" ancc. Tighter and tighter grew II
arms around my companions wai
but when our house. breaker stO,
before us, every feeling gave place
q astonishment. Instead of the hideo
face l had expected to meet, the
came to view the slight figure of
mere STRIPPING. My aunt's fear seen
cd also to have. vanished, for Il fteppi1
boldly up to him, she caught hold
him, saying: "Al', l have you nov
my pretty fellow" at the same tim
crying for John.
The captive struggled to free him
self, but in vain, for my aunt hel
him closer while she screamed tn
louder for John. Very soon he an
peared on the spot, where he gazed j
the picture before him, but as his mis-
tress kept saying, "Tio him, John
tie him." he went for the first thin,
handy, which happened to be III,
aunt's long worsted gartcrs. They
being strong enough, answered ever,
purpose, and soon our prisoner stood
meekly before us. Then Aunt Mary,
stood sternly looking at him, said
Snow, John, take and lock him in the
empty room at the top of the stairs,
and in the morning we will see
whether peaceful citizens must be
robbed and murdered in their beds"
l had stood quietly by, taking no
part in the programme, and feeling,
it must be said, more pity than anger
for the handsome youth. Once met
his eyes fixed earnestly upon me, and
rs John led him from tho room mine
was the last face they sought. After
my aunt had expended all the threats
she could upon the culprit, she fell
fast asleep, but though tried to fol-
low her example, l did not succeed,
for the face of the burglar kept rising
before my closed eyes.
Twas only sixteen, and of rather q
romantic turn. / pictured his dark
eyes filled with penitent tears, and
thought that bitter necessity had per-
haps driven him to this act for which
my aunt would send him to prison on
the morrow. No, could not sleep,
80 slipping on my dress l crept up the
stairs to the door of the room con-
tanning him who was defrauding me
Of my rightful rest. listened. All
was still and l stood hesitating what
to do, when ] heard loud sob from
within. In an instant | had the door
There lay the lad on the
cold floor, his head on his crossed
'rms. He lifted his tear-wet face
IN how pale it looked, as the dim
morning light fell upon it. l am sure
ny voice was very gentle, as ! said:
"There, do not weep, but tell me
What has impelled you to such work."
"Ah. Miss" and his voice was
trangely sweet, "sucl bitter need as
pray Heaven you may mover know.
his is my first offonse, believe me-"
did believe him, and made up INV
'ind on the spot to get him away
efore my aunt should awake. Ibade
i'm follow me, and silently wo crept
own the stairs to tho front door
hen telling him to wait until l re-
nrned, l fastened back to my room.
he sounds which issued from the
ed told mo Aunt Mary still slept. l
'ok from my small pocket-book it's
ontents and hurried back, and Just
| had left him l found the boy. l
laced the money I FAD brought in Z
ls hand, and whispered, "Go and
u no more."
lie caught my hand, and while hot
18th tears fell upon it, kissed it. -.
God bless your sweet face, / shall
ever forget it," he mumured, then
'ssed down the patl, and out of y,
ght. e
With warm feeling about nv
art went softly back to my bed, . .
ID was soon fast asleep. 1t was - =,
'o"t eight o'clock when my slum- g g
RS were again interrupted by a - -
It'll cry at my ear, crying: - =.
Josie, he has gone, after all my y
'lns; it's too bad; all Johns fault : 3"
never forgive him, no, never" l"
Poor John protested he had fasten- 9
tho door, but it was no use talking, I"
10 believed through him she had :"
1t her captive, and aunt from that y,
y ceased to have any confidence in "'
poor fellow.
Dur sleep after that was unbroken, -
d the years carried me safely to my
enticth birthday. l was called a ~ II,
ry pretty girl at that time, with ''
ndsome pair of dark eyes and
alth of golden hair, that, let me ~ "
nfess it here, l prided myself very ="
'ch on! | had several admirers '"
|ong the gentlemen of the village, y"
had never felt any great incl,no- W.