Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-09-02

they would lnScrlDe upon my tombstone
these words: ''She showed her presence of
mind to the last" felt quite self-possess-
ed and happy, though was certalu-yes,
morally certaln-that something remark
able wonld happen before morning; that
should be, as 1t were, weighed in the bal
ance and not found wanting before the sun
arose. | did not feel like retiring early,
and sat by the fire until the clock struck
eleven. Then, just as the last stroke died
away, Biddy came down from her bedroom
like red flannel ghost, with eyes and
mouth wide open, and something of i'm
pOrtance evidently on her mind. put baby
down in her cradle and arose, drawing my
self up to my tull height, and feeling that
was the only one to be depended on in
this awful emergency.
Bridget" F." SAID /, chow many are they?
Is it one or more?"
Mum 7" said Bridget"
1.-The thieves mean, " said l.
''Oh, it isn't thaves, mum, " said Blddy
sits only that thafe of wind that's took
the roof clane off the chicken-house, and
ther's the wee bits iv chicks stharvin to
death wild cowld."
"And in this dreadful rain, too, y said
'It's clared off fine, said Biddy, ''and
the moons up"
So i actually was, and began to feel
Very brave.
1--WE must go out and put them in the
wood house." said |. And So saying, |
tucked baby up in his blankets, and wrap
ping shawl over my head, went ont into
the night air. 1t had grown very cold, but
it was clear as Biddy had said, and we
padded round in the mud catching the
poor little chickens. We had them all at
last, except one, and we heard its little
voice stcee, slcee, S1Cee-somewhere and
of course could not be 50 heartless as TO for
sake it. And at last there it was tangled
up in some dead vines, and as cold as a
lumD of ice. By the time we gave ii to
its mother, who was very glad to see
il, the clock struck twelve. Baby had been
alone three-quarters of an hour.
''Muzzer's darling! sound asleep yet ?"
said, as | went to the cradle. Nercful
powers shall ever forget that moment
Baby was not there.
In moment the truth flashed on my
mind. Housebreakers had entered the
dwelling in our absence, and stolen my
treasure. Perhaps they were in the house
yet, or some of them. felt the strength
of a tigress and, leaving Biddy howling
in the dinning- room, rushed uD stairs.
Sure enough, there was light in my
bedroom, and peeped IN. The moment
did SO, felt was powerless. The rob-
Der who had stolen my baby was there, and
the terribly muddy boots of another were
sticking from under the bed; and, oh, hor-
rors another had got into it, and had hid
den, as he imagined, under the quilts.
On my presence of mind depended the
recovery of my child and my life. In a
moment the plan flashed upon me. There
was but one door to the room, and the win
dows were high and barred, for | had con-
templated the time when baby should be
large enough TO climb up and lean out.
Noiselessly and suddenly drew that door
to and locked it on the outside; then, with
the k " in my hand, and trembling like an
aspen leaf, | stole down stairs and cried to
Bridget
'T've locked them in; they shall give my
baby back; come with mel" and away
went across the garden and down the road
to the first house.
This was 'Mulligan's Tavern" a very
low place, indeed, Stunned by all respect
able folks; but | knew there were always
men there who were afraid of nobody. The
greatest brutes would not refuse aid to a
woman at such time.
AS we come near saw light in one of
| the windows, and | heard voices and loud
| laughter. 1t was no time for ceremony,
so burst the door open and ran in. There
were four men playing cards, and old Mrs.
Mulligau behind the bar.
ooh! please excuse me, y cried; "but
do come right away. There are house
breakers in my house, and they've stolen
my baby"
''Sthole the baby2" cried old Mrs. Mul-
ligan.
'.Oh, do come" implored.
'Go, Pat, said the old woman; Fnever
mind the game. It's Missus Jackman;
more betoken she's the next neighbors tC
us. Take yer pistols an away wild ye,
boys. And Mlsstis, just take drop o'scree
chin hot whiskey to kape the life in ye."
+ OF course | refused the latter offer, but
in moment the men were on their feet
and l felt like blessing them-those half
savage creatures who had become my pro
tectors.
| don't know how we got to the house ol
upstairs. | remember an awful tumult, /
smell of glInpowder, oaths and shouts
4. Then there was a silence-then u loud
laugh.
'It's thrue, boys!" said old Mulligan's
voice 81 know 'Misther Jackman, an
it's himself It's great mstake-that' Z
all. -
"a singular mistake to enter. mans
house, and endeavor to shoot him in his
own bedi" SAID voice | knew to be my
husbands; and at that rushed into the
ROOM -se rs resG
He was there, and so was the baby, fol
he held her in his arms; and there, also
was Muliigan and his friends and their pis
tolls, and half the furniture Was broken, the
/ stove llnset Rut az for the hOlIsebreak gro