The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-04-27
BREAD ON THE WATERS.

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Mary Rivers, performed the one eccen-
trio act Of my life. was old enough
at that time 10 have grown prim and
"goycrnessy," and years spent in
preaching propriety to young ladies had
had their effect upon me, and | knew
that il 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
family TO finish the education of an only
daughter. The house was large
double building, and the study, or
schooroom, was in 4 wing across tho
hall. Next it was u handsome, well
furnished apartment, which had been
given to me rs a bedroom 1t was re-
moved from all 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 slumbcred,
myself included, when | was aroused by
something hardly knew what-a
sound, movement, perhaps merely an
impression. Whatever il was, il in
duced me to rise and open my door a
little. Instantly q draught of cold air
struck me, and thought that the hall
door was open,
"Who is there?" / cried, aloud, but
all was dark and utterly silent, save for
such little velycty pat rs cat would
make in crossing marble floor
However the draught had no bust
ness to be there, and / stepped back to
my room and lit wax candle which
stood on my stand, and came out again
with my drcssng-gown wrapped about
me.
The door was not open, but n window
one of two on either side of the hall
had been lifted, and ! heard heavy
CHATTER 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 overme,
ran up stairs and knocked at Mr..
Pemberton's 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 Il search was
made of every room on that floor but
my own. As | had been there, there
was no thought of finding anyone 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 admit
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 while all returned to
their own apartments, TO sleep, if pos
sible.
But shan't you be timid in your
lonely room3 Won't you 90 up stairs
and sleep with FlorenceP" asked Mrs.
Pembcrton. 'I'm sure it's dreadful
for you TO be down here alone, Miss
Rivers
How glad am to-day that my nerves
were steady enough to allow me to de-
cline the offer, and laugh at any idea Of
fear on my part; but goyerness can
not yield TO iine-lady terrors, and |, as
have said, had occupied that position
all my life.
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 cher in such circumstances; and
the darkness was the worst of all. |
struck light at once. Some one tried
10 blow it out and failed. | clutchcd at
the dark object near me, and found it
to be the wrist of small boy; and now
we stood face to face, and | held him
tight and looked at him. A child
OF ten years-not mora little, slen-
der, dark creature dressed in dark
blue shirt and pantaloons, and with list
slippers on his feet. His head was al
most shaver 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 futtering in my
grasp.
"Be quiet, child" said; 81 am not
going to hurt you. suppose you arc
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.
81 want to be your friend. You came
here with the burglars?n
He nodded.
"Ihey put you through the window
to open our door|'
Yes" he said.
"Did your mother know Of it?"
asked.
81 never had any mother" he an
swered.
"And your father?"
DADDY. Daddy was hung for kill
ing man. said the child.
$40 you like this sort of life,"
asked.
He looked at me doubtfully.
81 dno," he answered.
Il mean going out with these men to
rob houses?' | asked.
mo" replied the boy; Pm afraid of
the dark. Once they shooted me, and
1t bled. like to 90 to bed and sleep
nights, wish they'd let me-"