Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-10-08
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY OCTOBER s, 1881.


IuuuluS StIcdIl, III WdS WHOiO ihiIO
to any bOdy's house and far from pub
lie road.
The father was absent and the mother
was alone with her little family, The
oldest was girl and the next a boy.
Then there were three little girls, and
then another little boy, but he didn't
need any name, but was just called the
baby. He was only five months old,
plump, dimpled, and fair, his head all
covered with little curls, and his ewes!
o. you should have seen his eyes! Yes,
you should have seen the whole baby.
On this gloomy evening Gt was after
three days rain, and still raining,) the
children gathered about the fire and
asked-was it almost time to lock the
door? Now, locking the door made quite
sensation in this little household, for
it was never done when the father was
at home, and to tell the truth, the child
rem never grew afraid until the key was
turned.
Why they should have done this don't
know, but they Immediately began,
when they grew afraid, to ask their
mother for stories of thieves, giants In
dams, robbers or ghosts. The mother
seldom yielded to these wishes, but like
the sensible woman she was strOve to
lead their minds away from such things.
This evening" when the children asked
should they lock the door, she answered
"Yes," and added, "when l get baby to
sleep will tell you the funny story of
John Gilpin all in rhyme, and will 60
to bed early, for you know
early to bed and early to rise
Makes man healthy, and wealthy and wise."
The boy went to the door to lock it; the
door was shut; he caught hold of the key;
fhau foalinn 0f nnrincitv aoma nvar
lam, he opened it. looked out. and
drawing backswith his eyes opened very
wide, whispered very hOarsely, "MOther
there is woman cOmingw At that very
moment the gate opened, then, heavy,
hurried footsteps came up the path and
over the porch. A moment more and
she stood in the door, woman full six
feet high, attired in light clothing, now
dripping and draggled, and carrying an
old umbrella and small bundle. MAY
come in and stay all night ?" she asked.
Just then it began raining afresh, and
the mother said "yes."
The strange woman marched toward
the fire like brigadier-general at the
head OF his forces, causing an uncOndi-
tiOnal surrender of every seat in that
quarter, as the children gathered about
their mother, who stood in their midst
Ilh6 Ntly lOl uOpc lluttu, EIl6
didn't like the looks of this woman, yet
would scarcely have owned that the feel
ing she had in her presence was fear.
1t was so unusual for any one to come
without special business, and now that
the children were frightened, what
should she do? The singing of the tea
kettle suggested the supper L had for
gotten to tell you was not eaten-sO it
was placed on the table at once. The
stranger was invited to lay aside bonnet
and shawl and share the meal; she COM
piled, you may be sure.
The children, seeing their mothers
quiet and digniied manner, felt reas-
sured, and did not notice that when she
asked Tom to give his seat to the strang
er she drew him softly to one side, whis-
pered to him, handed him his cap, and
that he then disappeared through the
door. Where he went we will follow.
Th9re was saw mill on this place;
there a young man worked through the
day and walked home at night, never go
ing, though, while the dayli. hit allowed
him to work Gloomy as this night was,
he was still there, for Tom could hear
the saw going. and he hurried forward.
Just as he reached the mill the saw
stopped. 80, Benz Tom said approach
ing the young man in an excited manner,
"mOther wants to know won't you come
to our house and take care of us all to-
night, for fathers away and somebody's
come that we are afraid OFF,
Ben was just nineteen years old, and
nightly pleased to be called upon to
protect anybody, 80 he looked down pat
rOnizingly on Tom, who was but eleven,
and said,-
"Yes, little one, I'll come, but must
first run over home and tell mother
where | will be; and had better get my
pistol, in CASE
"But you wouldn't shoot woman?"
exclaimed Ben.
"a woman! you don't mean to say you
are afraid of woman! 0 dear! now
that is jolly! Afraid of woman that
has come to stay all night with you'll You
are bright set
1--WE were never afraid before, none of us.
and I'm not afraid now; but this woman
is so big and so STANCE, and father is
away, and mother said if you would
come she'd take it kind, and please come
as if 1t were accidentalp
30, pshaw!I understand" said Ben,
'T'll come and-let me see-yes, I'll
bring my pistol. May be she isn't a
woman, after all; may be it is man in
wOman's clothes, or IL she is a woman
she may belong to gang of thieves who
will be along after while. I've read OF
all such thingsW
The last CLEAN of daylight seemed to
fade as Tom again entered the cottage
door and found the household, guest and
= all, Just leaving the table. Tom thought
of the pistol, gave significant and
triumphant glance at his mother, which