The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1880-07-23

"But if you will get me the axe, | will try
and do my best" he added meekly.
"Fhe axe is hanging up in the woodshed,
at the left-hand side of the door," said Miss
Fydget, and she went into the house, leaving
her venerable visitor to do as he pleased
about accepting her offer.
After she was within the four yellow wash
ed walls of her own kitchen, however, it oc-
cured to her that she had done rather a fool
ish thing.
81 suppose he'd as soon split my head open
as the sticks of wood" she thought to her.
self "And of course he knows that Pm
alone in the world mean in the house; but
it's pretty much the same thing" with q deep
sigh. And who knows but that may be
murdered within the next five mnutes"
| Thudp came the sound of the axe, de-
sccnding with slow, regular strokes upon the
knotty stumps of yellow pine, and Miss Fyd-
| get listened with sort ofterribe fascination,
wondering, as she did so, what sort of a rea
ton in the matter of sound the human tym
| paHllm might bear to the pine stumps
| what fool WASP said she to herself
And with noiseless movements she went
across the kitchen floor, and took down a
rusty mnskct which had hung suspended ov-
cr the old brick chimney ever since she was n
child.
81 don't know as | could fire il off," said
| she, "hut I'll try if see any signs of mis-
chief
1t was unnecessary, however She poured
| out a bowl of milk, first thrifty pausing to
| skim it, and then cut good thick slice ofrye
bread, taking care to secrctc the bread knife
when she was through. And then, seating
| herselfby the window, her thoughts wander
| ed back to the question of the missing brood
| of turkeys.
"He knows where they are, I'll bet anything,
and he shall tell me. Old man old man, |
say y
The venerable wood-splittcr paused at the
sound of her summons.
Come here~ she called
The old man obeycd.
you've done enough" said Miss Fydget,
inwardly rejoced that he had left his axe
sticking in the last pine-knot instead of COM
ing toward her brandishing it in the air,
Powhatan fashion,
THAT is what | was just thinking myself"
observed the old man, wiping his streaming
forehead.
"And now" said Miss Fydget, sharply and
suddenly, as if she fain would take him by
surprise, "where are my turkeys?"
"Eh?" uttered the old man.
"My turkeys" shrilly cnunciated Miss
Fydget; my brood of sixteen white turkey
chicksr'
II am sure cannot say" said the old man,
with puzzled countenance.
That is false!' said Miss Fydget imperial
ly. "fyou don't know, your gang does and
l insist on having my turkeys back again"
The old man looked bewildered Miss
Fydget eyed him with gaze calculated to
strike dismay into the most obdurate heart
Madame" he began, but Miss Fydget
interrupted him.
There's your milk and bread. Ifyou can
cat and drink with good conscience, know
ing that my turkeys are gone, do So"
Apparently Miss Fydget's turkey chicks
rested but lightly upon the conscience of the
wayfarer for he ate and drank to the very
last mouthful.
madame |" he said, as he placed the empty
bowl within the window sill-AIiss Fydgct
had taken the precaution to bolt and bar the
door
GO" said the lady.
But wished to say to YOU"
BY way of answer, Miss Fydgct took up
the rusty gun, placed it ON her shoulder, and
pointed the barrel full at him.
IF you don't take yourself off, I'll fire.
said Miss Fydget, resolutcly.
And upon this unmistakable hint, the old
man took up his cane, and trudged away as
fast as he could go.
"The woman must be maniac !" said he
to himself
While Miss Fydget made haste to take
dose of valerian to settle her perturbcd
senses.
I'VE had narrow escape of it," said she,
but must get rested as quick as possible
and go to Lavinia Thorpc's for tea The
Bishop is to be there, and | wouldn't miss
the opportunity of meeting him for thous-
and dollars"
And, between the stimulus of the valerian
and the calm afforded by a haitian hours nap,
Miss Fydget managed to array herself in a
stiff black silk dress with white ribbon cap
and set out for Lavinia Thorpes few min
utes past four.
As she crossed her door-yard, slowly
winding procession met her eye, returning
down the rocky slopes of the pasture meadow
sixteen young turkeys.
"There they come now," said Miss Fydget,
with momentary twinge of conscience in
regard to the tramp. "However, it's all over
and gone now, and what's done can't be un
done"
The company was all gathered at Lavina
Thorpe's the best china and silver were out
and great lunches of cabbage roses dccked
the mantel in gilt vases that were at least a
century old.
as he here?" nervousiy whispered Miss
Fydget, as she removed her hat in the front
chamber up stairs.
"The dear man-yes," said Miss Thorpe,
enthusiastically clasping her hands. walk
| ed all the way from Simstown Station, and
met with all sorts of interesting adventures
What do you think of his being taken for
a"
But here some one called her away.
When Miss Fydget descended, serene and
smiling, she was led up to a pleasant old man,
| with grey hair and a cordial blue eye.
miss Fydget," said Miss Thorpe, fussily,
"Let me make you acquainted with Bishop
Playhir, of Chirita Territory"
BLESS my soul !" cried Miss Fydget, drop
ping her fan and smelling bottle, "it's the
| trampw
The Bishop smiled serenely.
"NIiss Fydget," said he, "you never can
guess how deliciously that milk tasted to me-
And, by the way; | met brood of young
turkeys in stubbfe-feld as crossed from the
highway, which concluded must be yours"
Both joined in irresistible laughter; and in
| five minutes Miss Fydget, set at her ease by
the Bishops tact and kindness, was chatting
away regarding the Chirta Missions.
"But to think" said Miss Lavinia Thorpe,
afterwards, that you mistook the Bishop of
Chirita Territory for tramp"
And set him splitting wood and pointeda
rusty musket at him." said Miss Fydget.
at only shows" said old Mrs. Martin, Sc
verely, chow easy it is to be mistaken in this
world"
--~.e.s-
A THIEFs CRITICIsM.-During religious
services in the Jail at Carson, New, and after
a clergyman had addressed the prisoners on
the text, Honesty is the best policy" thief
| nomol Innoc oclynd if hn could m IN a fo,y 70