The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-02-10
miscellaneous.
Miss Comforts Adventure.

Dear, DEAR" said Miss Comfort Cabtrcc,
"what an awful night itisw
Miss Comfort Crabtrce was right The
fury of a late cquinoctial storm was bending
the tops of the huge forest trees lashing the
the tide of the river into a mass of boiling
foam, and banging the loose shutters against
the side of the old house, as if each one was
a miniature piece of artillery. Now and then
an angry sweep ofran dashing against the
windoW-panes like handful fpebbcs, and
the shrieks of the tempest sounded down
every chimney in the house in different
note of wailing.
The Reverend Caleb Crabtrcc lived all
alone in this great barn of ruined house,
because his salary was low and the rent was
cheap.
There were but few ncighbors, but then
the Reverend Caleb lived in his books, and
cared little for conversation more modern
than the "Divine Dialogues, of Plato. And
rs for Miss Comfort, she was as scrcnely in
different to society as her brother
"And to think" said Miss Crabtrec as she
threw fresh log, fringcd with moss, and
scented of the backwoods, upon the fire,
"that old Mrs Dcnison must take it into her
head to die, Just this night Of all others!
do hope Caleb won't take cold, and that he
ter around his neck. But Caleb is so care
Less
So saying, Miss Crabtree opened the oven
door, and goomily surveyed a plump chicken
which was browning in its cavcrnous recess
es.
"Itll be done in Just half an hour" said
Miss Comfort, with glance at the tall
clock behind the door. And if Caleb isn't
back by that time, it will be too bad; for the
blessed man hasn't had bite between his lips
this day, except Il cold sandwich and half n
red apple.
Miss Comfort whsked out a little round
table, covered it with a home spun cloth, and
set it with her bluc,edged plates, shining
silver tea pot, n loafof bread, and little pat
of sweet scented butter. And then she sat
down to her knitting, before the fire.
There it goes again" said Miss Comfort
-''thc rain and the wind-cnough to take
the roof off the house En-
And as she soliloquzed to herself, as per-
sons who lead n solitary life often d. one of
the boards of the carpetless floor, behind her
crcaked, and turning, with n start, she found
herself in the presence of two men.
One was tail and stout, with no particular
nap to the hat he held under his arm; low
forehead, from which the hair was brushed
up like the bristlcs ola hearth broom; very
dirty linen and a turtivc expression ofCoun-
tenance.
The other was short, smiling and serene,
and wore supertine broadcloth and pair of
gold eye glasses dangling across his breast.
Don't be alarmed, ma am " said the short
man. ingratiatingly.
81 amt ~ said Miss Comfort, with a con-
tcmptuous sniff.
I'VE shaa't hurt you,' reassuringly added
the tall man.
II rather reckon you won't?" said Miss
Crabtree. Did you want TO see my brother?"
"N-no," said the short man, rubbing his
plump white palms thgether; 1--WE didn't
We wish to see yda.'
Whats your busness?' briefly demanded
Miss Comfort, wondering much within her.
self
"You sec, my dear Miss Barbara"
"Comtort Crabrec is my name, if you
please" interrupted the lady.
The two men exchanged glanCes over her
head.
Miss Comfort, then,' the stout man cor
rccted himself, "if you prefer that name"
~ ought to" remarked Miss Crabtrec, "since
it was given me by my sponsors in baptism"
"Certainly-certainly. | was only going
to remark" added the stout man, nervously
twirling his watch chain, "that we have
come to take you for a drive this evening"
81 don't think you have, "said Miss Com
fort, her quick glance travelling from one to
the other.
"The carriage is at the door," said the man
advancing with II concilatory smile.
and there amt no use II foolin no lon
ger added the tall stranger, impaliently
Better come with us quietly, like good
soul, said the stout man, laying his plump
hand pcrsuasively on Miss Comforts arm.
But in the same instant, Miss Comfort, who
had watched him as cat watches mouse
had charged at him with her knitting. need
les and backed him into the china closet,
whose door stood ajar just behind him, turn
ing the key upon him with the quickness OF
lightning.
"And now for your said Miss Comfort
Selling the boiling teakettle from the hearth,
and advancing in a menacing manner upon
the tall man, who stood momentarily dismay-