The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-10-23
had been alone three-quarters of an

- Muzzer'S darling sound asleepy
yet? ?" I said, as l went to the cradle.
Merciful powers shall ever forget that
moment? Baby was not there!
In moment the truth flashed on my
mind. House-breakers had entered the
dwelling in our absence, and stolen my
treasure. Perhaps they were in the
house yet, or some of them. I felt the
strength of tigress, and, leaving Biddy
bowling in the dining-room, rushed up
| stairs.
Sure enough, there was light in my
bedroom, and I peeped in. The mo-
ment I did 80 I felt was powerless.
The robber who had stolen my baby
was there, and the terribly muddy boots
of another were sticking from under the
bed; and, oh, horrors another had got
into it, and had hidden, as he imagined,
under the quilts.
On my presence of mind depended
the recovery Of my child and my own
life. In a moment the plan flashed
upon me. There was but one door to
the room, and the windows were high
and barred, for had contemplated 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
key in my hand, and trembling like an
aspen leaf, stole down stairs and cried
to Bridget, "Ive locked them in they
shall give my baby back; come with
| me p and away went across the garden
and down the road to the first house.
That was b" Mulligan's Tavern, very
low place, indeed, Stunned by all re-
spectacle folk; but I knew there were
always men there who were afraid of no.
body. The greatest brutes would not
refuse aid to woman at such time.
| AS we came near l saw light in one
of the windows, and heard voices and
loud laughter. It was no time for cere-
mony, so burst the door open and ran
in. There were four men playing cards,
and old Mrs. Mulligan behind the bar.
| 60 please excuse me, cried; "but
do come right away. There are house
breakers in my house, and they've sto-
len my baby"
"Sthole the baby?" cried old Mrs.
Mulligan.
go, do come !" I implored.
"Go, Pat" said the old woman !;
"never mind the game. It's Missus
Jackman more betoken she's the next
neighbor to us. Take yer pistols, an
away wild ye, boys. An, missus, just
take drop of screechin' hot whisky to
kape the Life in ye."
Of course I refused the latter offer,
but in moment the men were on their
feet, and felt like blessing them-those
half-savage creatures who had become
my protectors.
don't know how we got to the house,
or upstairs. remember an awful tu-
multi, smell of gunpowder, oaths and
shouts. Then there was silence-then
a loud laugh.
cts thrue, boys p said old Multi
gan's voice. 81 know Misther Jackman,
an it's himself. It's great misthake-
that's all.
A singular mistake to enter man S
house, and endeavor to shoot him in
his own bed p said voice I knew to be
my husbands and at that I rushed into
the room
He was there, and so was baby, for he
held her in his arms !; and there, also,
was Muligan and his friends and their
| pistols, and half the furniture was
broken and the stove upset But as for
the house-breakers, they-I began to
see the truth. Mr.. Mulligan was back
ing out.
| "I'll lave Mrs. Jackman to explain, :"
he said. cam I'm proud 1 didn't kill
ye, though it's out O friendship I'd have
done it; for if your own wife took ye
for house breaker how would know
better? The top O the night till ye, an
I'll lave the lady to explain"
All! did really wish that the ground
would open and swallow me. You see,
my husband had come home while we
were hunting up the chickens, and, find
ing baby wide awake, had taken her up
to bed, and gone to sleep. And the
robber under the bed was his muddy
boots, with, of course, no feet in them !;
and well there were none, for they were
riddled with bullet holes. Mr.. Multi
gan had fred at them, fortunately.
When I thought of the awful danger
Jasper and the baby had been in, went
into strong Mysteries at once, and fright
ened Jasper SO that he was glad to for
give me when I came to myself. 1t was
terrible mistake, and might have end
ed seriously, of course but will say,
now and always, that it was Jasper's
fault, and that if he had been a house
breaker we might all have been thank
full for my great presence of mind.