Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1879-08-30

l "
"The gun isn't loaded said Fred
and his voice actually trembled
Whether ne was shivering from cold Q,
fright, don't know.
1T will scare him just the same
said AL; and, taking down the rusty
nrearm, he hurried out into the hall
followed at a little distance nv his
brother, armed with the base-ba bat.
Il was never very brave, and there
fore took good care to keep as far be-
hind Fred as he was behind his brother
In fact, to be more honest, I merely
ventured as far as the door, and there
peeped into the hall.
"A mans form was crawling through
the window, but he seemed to be so oc-
cupied by keeping the sash up that he
had not yet noticed the two boys. As
he threw one leg over the sill. he
thrust his hand into his breast pocket
and drew out small, dark object.
Murderl he's drawing a pistoll'
roared Fred, in terror; and, turning
hastily to fly, he ran against me in the
doorway, and we both fell sprawling
upon the floor.
Robbersl firel' shrieked Fred.
Here's another onel and darting into
an opposite room, he crawled under the
bed there.
:" Move another inch and I'll frel'
cried AL, pointing the musket at the
mans breast.
"Ochl murtherl Masther AL, don't
be afther a-shootin' me came familiar
voice in broad Hibernian accents.
1T was Pat, the doctors man.
What is that you, Pat2' ex-
claimed AL, lowering the weapon.
"Sorra the day for me an it wur,'
said the Irishman, as he carefully de-
posted on the floor the pistol Fred had
seen him draw, which was simply a
small, fiat bottle. He then leisurely
lifted his other ponderous foot over the
window-sill, shook himself, as if to as
certain whether he had whole skin.
and shut the window. Then he picked
up the bottle, and carefully replaced it
in his coat pocket.
Meanwhile, Al hae been quietly
laughing, and / was still on the floor
laughing and rubbing the bruises on
my legs, which had been caused by
Fred's collision.
"What's the meaning of this?'
whispered AL. "How is it, Pat, that
you come into the house in this way
instead of by the door?'
"Well, you see,' said Pat, Il just
wint the night to say me cousin, who is
a-workin' at the Smit's, an not moindin'
to disturb the docther an his wife, sure
didn't l put the long laddher forninst
the winder, intindin' to take out that
naw pane of glass that was rayci-.Iy-
tackled IN, inAexs IN as 1naJe an quiet
as We place; but the lad was scared a
bit. Where is he?
"Who? Fred ?? asked AL.
"'Ay, it's Fred I name, said Pat.
Having by this time rubbed my
bruises sufficiently and picked myself
up, led them to Fred's place of con-
cealment. His feet and legs we're in
plain sight, for, ostrich-like, he seemed
to have imagined that, if his head alone
were covered, he was perfectly safe.
Pat grasped him by the ankle, and de-
spite of his kicking hauled him out.
"'Oh,' cried Fred, in abiect terror,
supposing it was the burglar who had
caught him, don't kill mel don't kill
mel My money is all in the trunk in
the opposite roomP
"Do keep still, and don't make such
fool Of yourselfl It's only Pat said
AL, with suppressed laughter, while Pat
and / indulged in laughter that was far
from suppressed.
"In the midst of this racket we heard
door open below, and the doctors
voice called:
a'What is the matter up there?
@Nothin', sur replied Pat, with
Irish readiness, 'only the lads got
froighted as / was comm to bed
"STell them to be quiet, or / shall
come up,' said doctor.
@D'ye hear that, b'ysp said Pat.
Get to bed now; yell TAX your death
runnin' round in the cowld without
your clothes on
"In our excitement we had forgotten
that the mercury outside was nearly
down to zero, and had not noticed the
cold; but Pats words quickened our
sepsitiveness, so we hastened shivering |
to bed, and the house was again quiet.
monday morning the doctor sum
moned us all to his study, and there in
stituted one of his usual courts of in
uuiry. He was Judge, jury and coun-
sci. Pat was the principal witness, and
we bows we're there in order to corrob-
crate or refute Pats testimony, and also
TO sustain somewhat the responsibility
of the court, ! suppose.
"Patrick,' said the doctor, in open
inc the case, what was the cause OF
that noise up stairs Saturday night?'
"Well, your Reverence, began rat,
and his small gray eyes twinkled as he
cast sly glance at me, Saturday
noiQht fought I'd call on me cousin
who has lust COON from the ould coun-
tbry. an is workin' in the village
az AT Smiths put in AL, by way OF
explanation. The doctor was not very
strict when he held court during hon,
days. otherwise he might have told AL
10 remain quiet until hewas questioned:
DAT Smit's,' repeated Pat, an
mo;ndin' not to disturb yez by comm
in late, sure Just climbed up to the
hall winder, an as l wur half trough
an wur takin' somethin' from me peck
et, -,
"tA fat BOTTLE interposed AL. -,
".A bottle, ehl What was In itP
aaked the doctor, suspiciously, in an
,noracedented ~ manner beginning the
cross-examination before the direct was
concluded. n
a"Only q wee dhrap Of medicine;
srr said Pat. ME cousin was ateared
1ut' n.o-uv. nm, Oava IL to me