The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-01-16

my Oiu uncIc let fne, nau Detu thkcn.
Luckily they did not attempt the
pantry; but they paid u visit To the
harness room. and cleared away every,
thing there-l don't know whether for
the sake of the articles themselves, or "a
throw obstacles in the way Of our giving
notice To the police; there was not even
a halter left for the pony, and james
had TO walk FIVE miles TO the saddlcr't
before could ride 10 Se;tleb0urne and
communicate with the police. And
hear that mine Is not the only house
these burglsrious gentry have favored
with call: they appear TO have come
down from London on u regular excur,
sion tour among lonely country houses"
Here was cheerful visitorl / fel,
mex pressibly provoked ut this ill-judged
story. In MaPgie's state il was enough
10 make her quite i'll. But Mr.. Calling
engrosscd in his own misfortunes, wa,
blind 10 any effect his tale might have
on his listeners, and talked and dwelt un
the subject of the burglars despite every
effort Of mine To turn the conversation
~ hope have not alarmed you. Mrs
Sinclair" he said, rs he rose 10 take his
leave.
You have certainly done your best
TO do So" answered, rather snappishly
Bless me, I'm extremely sorry, I'm
sure, but such an occurrence is one that
one cannot help speaking about. How
ever, il you lsdies feel the .esst neryou,
nj being here alone, do allow me 10 send
the pony chaise over 10 fetch You To my
house. Mrs Catlirg would be de
lighted"
go, thank you, but IL would be i'm
possible 10 leave the children" AN
swered Maggie.
Him." said Mr.. Calling, hesitating
ly, "rhere are six OF them, are there not
M well as the bsbyH We should be GLAD
enough TO take you all in, only"
"Ot course" | said, laughing, 1--WE
are rather too large n party TO inAic,
ourselves on any ones hospitality. But
II you feel timid, Maggie, why don't on
Accep. Mr.. Cuttings kind otler' The
children will be safe enough with me
aud if burglars do come I'll throw n jug
Of cold water over them"
WAS not the least alarmed NJ the ides
If robbers coming 10 our house, but
lid feel anxious about Maggie, and
-hould have been glad To have seen her
1sfely away. Nothing, however, would
induce Maggie TO leave the children, and
~ Mr.. Calling could not possibly house
Us all his kindly Offer had to be de-
clincd.
"l tell you what ri do" he said, rs
he took his leave; "it's too late ~ 90 Nc
T.. a hns ,nsA II
bourne the first thing TO morrow, and see
Il they could spare constable just for =
day or two 10 watch this house. Being
ladies' alone, without any man on the
premises, this might be- n likely house
10 be attempted" added the unlucky
man, who seemed doomed to make
ipjudicious remarks.
Maggie sat down trembling.
"DJ you think there is really any
danger?" she fsltered.
"How lilly you are, Msggie!"
exclaimed. Mort likely, while We are
talking, Morgan has the thieves in Settle.
bourne Jail. They would never be fool.
ish enough 10 try to rob another house
close in the same neighborhood, after
they knew an alarm had been raised in
any case. You are terrifying her "a
deaIh," whispered Indignantly 20 Mr.,
Calling, who was 80 overcome by the
reprOach that he burst into elaborate
apologies and explanations till he fairly
got out of the room.
Stupid creature" said, Is he rode
away. a. hope you won't sllow this
occurrence TO brighten you, Maggie"
"The burglars really came, though
Jane"
"All the less reason for them making
us visit" And went on endesvoring
70 reassure the invalid, but with very
partial success.
Maggie WAS really very unwcll, and
this story made deeper impression upon
her than il would have done on person
in health. Ia vain the children and
played our liveliest games. and at least
kept the house noisy. Maggie WAS toe
depressed To Join in our merriment, and
when the little ones retired 70 bed and
quiet fell on the mansion, che fairly
broke down, and, with fit Of hysterics
tears, declared she was sure, quite sure
that our house would be attacked tina,
night.
To argue with her WAS useless. per
suaded her TO lie down, and ut last haG
the satisfaction of seeing her fall asleep
but with so troubled slumber that
did not leave her side till nearly mid
night.
had said that did not believe in any
danger from burglars, but after the
worry of the day, and the fatigue OF my
unw0nted vigil, myself began to fee
dull and out OF sorts, and found my
mind dwelling on the possibilities Of ouI
house being attacked. We were famil,
OF women exclusively; our gardener
came daily from the village, and did no
sleep on the premises; although, in thi
case, an old man would have been q poo
help in danger. The gsmekeeper anC
his ron were our nearest protectors, anC
| must own that rather wished thei
cottage WAS nearer.
"Im getting as silly ~ Maggie"
said to myself, as resolutely drew tn,
bedclothes over my ears TO stop mysel
listening TO imaginary voices. 81 d.
not think fancies are infectious" An,
30 moraliziug | fell asleep.
] suppose had slept some hours
when ] was awakened by n terribl
whisper at my ear" Miss Jane, Mis-
Jane, they're a-trying our back door!"
/ started up, and beheld the nurse ant
nursery maid, in strange and wondrou
dishabille, standing by my bed.
"It's gospel truth what Maria says
miss" gasped the nurse, a portly woman
who looked white with terror. Yo,
can zee them with your own eyes out o
the nursery window. Two hOrrid look
ing ruffians rs ever came TO murder limo
cent women-ugh! ugh"
"Don't wake your mistress, woman
In her delicate state 1t might nesrl
kill her,"
"That's what / said" stuck in Maria
81 says, come to Miss Jane, she ain
afraid Of anything"
This estimate Of my courage was YER
Hattering, but at the present momen
hardly true, for did feel terribly afraid
My only hope was that the women wer
mistaken.
"COme and see for yourself, miss,
sobbed the nurse. 81 had got up TO Civ
the baby his bottle, and went into In
day nursery TO fetch the matches, whic
Maria had forgot, and there under tn
window heard voices"
"Men's voices, miss" put In Maris
who seemed TO act the part Of q choru,
And nurse she comes back and wake
, me and both of US looks out of the from
window, and there we rec two men
trying the kitchen door,"
BY this time had made hssty toile
, and was ready to investigate for myself
! II was with q very quaking heart that
crept noiselessly to the nursery windo,
. and neened behind the blind. Alaal th