The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-12-16
ellallen1ts.
Maggie and the Burglars.
You are not afraid. Maggie 2N

you are not afraid, Maggie ?"
me afraid !" said Maggie "rd no fear
born with me. As for the house, it's the
strongest fastened ever | was in. You say
yourself there's no lock burglar could force,
and am not one to let tramps or the like in
of my free will. God knows the place will be
safe though when you come back-as safe as
though there was regiment ofsoldiers in it ;
and I'll have all bright for your new wife,
Mr.. Archibald"
She called her master Mr.. Archibald still,
this old woman. He was an elderly man
himself and had few intimate friends, hospi-
tality not being one of his virtues.
lie was rich, and there was much that was
valuable i'll the house; more ready money,
too, than most men keep about them; but
then it was as secure as bank vault Pat
ent locks and burglar alarms that first sent q
bullet into any one who sought to enter by
stealth, and then rang a bell to wake the
household were attached to every door, and
furious watchdog that lived on raw meat
was in the back garden.
Mr.. Van Mott having resolved to marry
again-there had been Mrs Van Mott, who
died years beforehand sought out a wealthy
widow of a saving disposition, who lived on
small farm some miles out of town, and had
offered himself to her and had been accepted.
Mr.Van Mott was upon the eve ofdeparture to
be married when he held the above converse
ton with his old servant, standing with his
portmanteau in his hand, and regarding her
gravely.
Yes, yes" he said, 81 presume it is all safe
enough. Well, goodbye, Maggie" and Mr..
Van Mott departed
Maggie had said truly that there was no
fear born with her, but as the night drew on
she began to feel somewhat lonely. "If was
superstitious," she said to herself 81 should
think something dreadful was going to hap
pen. | feel chilly up and down my back, and
| keep thinking of funerals. I'll make my
self a cup of tea, and see if can get over it."
And accordingly old Maggie shut herself
into the snug kitchen, and lighting two can
dies, drew pot Of the strongest young n.y.
son, and putting her feet close to the cook
ing stove began to feel much more comforta-
BILE.
The old clock licked away on the mante,
the hands pointing to halfpast eight
"Tm going to bed at nine," said Maggie -
give worked well to-day. Much thanks I'll
get for it, doubt. Hank! What's that?"
1t was sound outside the door-a slow,
solemn grating of wheels. Then feet trod
the pavement and the bell rang family. "a
carriage! p cried Maggie. "Has he changed
his mind and brought her home at once p
Dut CuH DC-uC llOb uluIIlCu yCI. -
And taking one of the candles she trotted to
the door, but not before the bell rang again.
"Who's that?" she cried, holding the door
slightly ajar.
"A stranger" said a voice, zone who has
something in particular to say to you"
you'll have to wait for tomorrow" said
Maggie. You can't come in tonight"
My good woman" said the stranger, "you
are Margaret Black?"
That's my name"
"Mr. Van Motifs housekceper for twenty
years"
Eyes"
"My good woman if you are attached to
your master have bad news for YOU"
Gracious Lordw cried Maggie, and she
opened the door only enough to thrust her
head out. Don't scare me, mister. What
is it?"
"'rhe worst you can think of" said the
man. "Mr. Van Mott Travelled on the b
| railroad, and there has been an accident"
Preserve us!" cried Maggie, letting the
| door fall back land him on the way to his
wedding. He's hurt badly then?"
He's dead" said the man. "Dead, and
we've brought him home"
Maggie sat down on a chair and began to
cry.
| We've done what we could" said the
man. The lady he was to marry and her
friends will be down tomorrow. Meanwhile
my instructions are that you shall watch
with him, and allow no strangers to enter the
house. There are valuable things here am
told; and Mr.. Van Motifs lawyer will take
possession of them, and seal them up before
strangers have access to the room"
"Oh, dear, dear cried old Maggie. "That
it should come to this. Yes, I'll watch alone,
| I'm not afraid, but-oh dearW
| Then she shrank back and let two men
carry horrible coffin into the front parlor
They came out with their hats off, and the
other man also held his in his hand.
81 regret to leave you all alone in the
house." he said.
81 don't mind that" said old Maggie, "but
it's terrible p
"lf you'd like me to stay" said the man.
NO. said Maggie "l've no fear of living
or dead folks. You can CO."
Then she locked the door, went into the
parlor, and putting the candle on the mantel
looked at the coffin through her tears.