Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-01

cottage when Peter went to sea we've gene.
80 Peter heard from a stranger that that
the lady that liv -d in the third house died
last winter, and went sadly away. Mother
ami son mJurned each other j. dead, when
only few miles-and hours journey by
rsil-lay between them.
Peter had come home intending to re-
turn to the carpenter, and be q good son
and worthy citizen; but his mothers sap
posed death upset HIM. He fell into dis
sipated ways; made the acquaintance of a
man of doubtful character, who was called
Red Jack, and one day found mself deep
er in the mire of dishonesty than he had
ever intenGed to go.
Red Jack intended to roo a house, and
confided his plans to Peter.
sits old woman that lives all alone,'
said Jack; ''her servants are quite IN
another building. We can get in by win
dow know of, and get all there Is to carry
off, as easy as winking. If we make a
good haul, we needn't try that sort of a
thing again; and what does an old woman
want of much, while two fl ne young fel-
lows are suffering.
At first Peter refused to listen, and re-
proach his new friend with having fancied
he could join in such work; but finally he
yielded. His part was to creep in at a
window, while Red Jack, who had lamed
himself in some past exploit OF the sort,
waited outside with horse and cart for
his appearance with the booty.
The night came. There was no moon
In the sky, no stars-all was dark and
gloomy, Jack drovathe wagon as near to
the house as he dared, and Peter crept out
of it, and after some search, found the
house Jack had mentioned. All was dark;
but Peter thought it best to make sure
that no one was stirring
Softly he crePt around the garden, peep
ing and listening, and at last stepped upon
the low back porch, upon which the win
make his way. As his foot touched it
board creaked and suddenly voice cried
out in his ear:
''Iou, Peter, stop that"
Peter stood still as though suddenly
petrlfied- Again came the cry:
"You, Peter, stop that"
Thechisel Peter held fell from his I'm
gers He uttered low grosn.
Don't do that. Don't do that. Peter,
don't do that, repeated the voice.
Poor Peter fell upon his knees. He felt
sure that it was a supernatural warning.
Pale, trembling, miserable, he crept back
to Jack, who sat IN his wagon. "Help me
in, Jack, he said. .fl've seen ghost. l
can't 20 back TO that house again.
Jack was superstitious, like all people
of his class. lie struck the horse with
the whip and away they ratified through
the dark village, as though Satan was after
hem, Daylight, however, restored Peters
senses. He ventured near the house in
the afternoon and saw what he begun to
think he should see his mothers great yell
low parrot swinging in a cage upon the
porch.
sit was Poll that called to me-" thought
Peter. Some one has bought the poor
bird. Well, she saved me from doing
what I'd have been sorry for-for wasn't
born thief Then he knocked on the
kitchen door, and being answered by a
servant in prim cap and apron, began as
follows:
Miss, by your leave, I'd like to know
if whosoever owns that parrot would like
to sell her. You see, she used to belong
to mother, and the old lady has gone to
heaven, and I'd like"
But there he stopped, for out of the
house came rushing the old lady herself
and flung herself on his neck.
''Iou, Peter, stop thatl" screamed
Polly.
But Peter could not stop crying. Bad
as he had been, be loved his mother. From
that time he became an exemplary individ-
ual. though to be sure, there was 10 reason
for his being otherwise, for he had all he
needed without being dishonest. And the
old lady-who never guessed Whist had
brought her son back to her-lived happy
ever after.