Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-10-26

| oo"A rusty muSket, winch mad hung
suspended over the old brick chimney
ever since she was little child.
81 don't know as I can fire it of. ,
said she; "but I'll try, if see any sign.
of mis- chief"
1t was unnecessary, however. She
poured out bowl of milk, first thrifty
pausing to skim it, and then cut good
thick slice of rye bread, taking care to
secrete the bread knife when she was
through.
And then seating herself by the win
dow, her thoughts ran to the missing
brood of turkeys.
"He knows where they are, I'll bet
anything" soliloquized Miss Fydget.
Sand he shall tell me. Old man-old
man, say!"
The venerable wood-splitter paused at
the sound of her snmmonE.
"Come here !" she called.
The old man obeyed.
you've done enough" said Miss
Fydget, inwardly rejoiced that he had
left the axe sticking in the last pine
knot instead of coming toward her
brandishing it in the air, Powhatal
fashion.
"'That is what was Just thinking my
SELF" observed the old man, wiping his
streaming forehead.
"And now," said Miss Fydget, sharp
ly and suddenly. as If she would fain
take him by surprise, ''where are my
turkeys ?"
''Ehr p uttered the old man.
"My turkeys" shrilIy enunciated
Miss Fydget. Ny brood of sixteen
white turkey chickens"
Il am sure 1 cannot say" said the old
man, with puzzled countenaEce.
''That's falsel" said Miss Fydget i'm
perially. ''If you don't know, your
gang does; and 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.
"There's your milk" said she, ''and
your bread, If you eat with a good con-
science. knowing my turkeys are gone,
do so"
Apparently, Miss Fydget's turkey
chicks rested but lightly upon the con-
science of the wayfarer. for he ate and
drank to the last moutllful.
madame" he said as he placed the
empty bowl within the window-sill-
Miss Fydget had taken the precaution
to bolt and bar the door.
60" said the lady curtly.
"But wish to say to you"
By way of answer, Miss Fydget took
up the rusty gun, placed it on her,
shoulder, and pointed the barrel full at
her guest.
eff You don't take yourself off I'll
fire." said Miss Fydget resolutely.
And upon this unmistakable hint, the
old man took up his cap and trudged
away as fast as he could go.
"The woman must be a maniac !" said
ne to himself.
While Miss Fydget made haste to take
dose of valerian to settle her "per-
turbed senses"
81 have had narrow escape of it, "
said she. But 1 must get rested as
quickly as possible and go to Lavina
Thorpe's to tea. The Bishop is to be
there and wouldn't miss the opportun-
ity of meeting him for a thousand dol
lars -
"And between the stimulus of the
valerian, and the calm afforded by a
half hours nap, Miss Fydget managed
to array herself in stiff black dress,
with white ribbon cap, and set out for
Lavina Thorpe's at a few minutes past
four.
As she crossed her door-yard, slow
ly winding procession met her eye, re-
turning down the rocky slopes of the
pasture meadow-the sixteen young tur
keysl
''There they come now," said Miss
Fydget, with momentary twinge of
conscience in regard to the tramp.
However, its all over and gone now,
and what's done cant be undone y
The company was all gathered at
Lavina Thorpe's the best china and sill
yer were out, and great punches of cab
bage roses decked the mantel in gilt
vases, that were at least a century old.
els he here?" nervously whispered
Miss Fydget, as she removed her hat in
the front chamber upstairs.
s'The dear man-yes !" said Miss
Thorpe enthusiastically clappIng her
hands, 'fWalked all the way from Sims
town Station, and met with all sorts of
interesting adventures. What do you
think of him being taken for a"
But here she was called away.
When Miss Fydget descended, serene
and smiling, she Was led up to smil-
ling old man, with gray hair and a cordial
blue eye.
"Miss Fydget," said Miss Thorpe
fussily, ''let me make you acquainted
with Bishop Playfair, of Chirita Tern
tory"
"Bless my soul," cried Miss Fydget,
dropping her fan and smelling-bottle ITS
the trampl"
The Bishop SMILED serenely.
Miss Fydget," said he, '.you never
can guess how deliciously cool that milk
tasted to me. And by the way ] met
brood of young turkeys in stubble
field as / crossed from the highway,
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