Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-06-30
Select Story.
BREAD ON THE WATERS.

at that time TO have grown prim and
'goyernessy, and years spent in preach.
ing propriety to young ladies had had
their effect upon me, and knew that
it would never do in my position TO be
spoken of as peculiar. And yet-but
you shall hear. / had at that time an
engagement in Mrs. Pemberton's fami-
ly to finish the education of an only
daughter. The house was a large,
double building, and the study, or
school was in wing across the
hall. Next was a handsome, we'll
furnished apartment, which had been
given to me as a bedroom. 1t was
remote from al the other bedrooms of
the house, and at night | was entirely
alone. However, | had no fears of the
supernatural, and no terrors of any
sort, and the room suited me.
On this night had retired as usual,
and the whole household slumbered,
myself included, when | was aroused
by something-I hardly knew what
a sound, movement perhaps merely
an impression. Whatever 1t was, il
induced me to rise and open my door
little. Instantly draught of cold
air struck me, and | thought that the
hall door was open.
who is there?' Icned aloud, but all
was dark and utterly silent, save for
such little velvety pat as cat would
make IN crossing a marble floor
However, the draught had no bust
ness to be there, and | stepped back to
my room, and lit a wax candle which
stood on my stand, and came out again
with my dressing gown wrapped about
me.
The door was not open, but win
dow--one of two on either side of the
hall-had been lifted and | heard a
heavy clatter as of the dropping of
articles of iron or steel in a heap.
Something was wrong. With sort
of tremor, rather of excitement or
fear, creeping over me- | ran up stairs
and knocked at Mr.. Pemberton' door,
crying
Thieves are in the house.
In moment more my employer and
his brother were both in the lower
hall, armed with pistols, and search
was made of every room on that floor
but my own. AS l had been there,
there was no thought of finding any
one in the apartment.
The police were sent for, and some
burglars tools were discovered outside
the open window.
They explained that the window
must have been opened in order to ad-
nit some small boy who could open the
door for them. A small boy indeed
he must have been to get in at those
long narrow slips; but nothing had yet
been done, and after a while all re-
turned to their own apartments, {to
sleep, if possible.
But shan't you be timid in your
lonely room? Won't you 60 up stairs
and sleep with Florence? asked Mrs.
Pemberton. I'm sure its dreadful for
you to be down here alone, Miss Riv-
ers.'
How glad | am to-day that my
nerves were steady enough to allow me
to decline the offer, and laugh at any
idea of fear on my part; but COVER
ness can not yield to fine lady terrors.
and I, as l have said, had occupied that
position all my life.
I retired to bed again, knowing the
house safe for the night at least, and
was just about dropping off to sleep
when felt, rather than heard, some
one creep from under my bed My
door was locked Whoever it was, |
was alone with him-one never thinks
Of 'her' in such circumstances; and the
darkness was the worst of all [ struck
a light at once. Some one tried to
blow it out and failed. | clutched at
the dark object near me, and found it
to be the wrist of a small boy; and now
we stood face to face, and | held him
tight and looked at him. A child of
ten years-not more-,a little, slender,
dark creature dressed in a dark blue
shirt and pantaloons, and with list
slippers on his feet His head was al
most shaven it was cropped so closely,
and he looked rather like little
gnome than child. | knew at once
that he was the boy the burglars had
slipped through the window-a tight
squeeze for even this slim thing flutter.
ing in my grasp.
BE quiet, child I said; l am not
going to hurt you. / suppose you are
only tool of those wicked men. Sit
down there and let me look at you
He sat down, looking at me in ter
ror.
you must tell me the truth said.
Il want to be your friend. You came
here with the burglars?'
He nodded.
'They put you through the window
to open our door?'
Yes, he said.
Did your mother know Of it p 1
asked.
4 never had any mother he an
swered.
and your father?'
Daddy. Daddy was hung for kill
ing man. said the child.
do Won like this sort of life