The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-04-20

GrArs was frequently bofri'nk h""N' w"
spo, here the ball had cutered the wall;
she put he tinger into the hole, and made
every possible examination. one day she
surprised them greatly by announcing
very decidedly tha, the ball could not have
been sho, from the street at all, For II rs
in s.D.iiag, had i, como trcm the street II
mus, have gone straight into the wall.
They were just starting to school, but
Arthur called back, will look this after.
noon; / heard Mr. Arnold say to-day that
the police we're watching Willis
Grace turned back with look Of horror
upon her sweet, sensitive face. This seem
ed 10 her very terrible thing. the dread
ful policemen were watching him, and he
had been so kind all during the siI months
he had lived with them. He had tended
her flowers, helped her rear the feeble little
lamb which WAS now sturdy and strong.
She went silently into mamma'woom.
which was quiet peserted nov with papa
down town, the boys ut school, and nam
ma gone to meeting OF the Ladies Aid
Society. Grace drew her chair near the
fire and looked dreamily into the glowing
mass OF great oak logs. The house was
very still-not sound disturbed the little
girl as she sat wrapped in absorbing
thought. Suddenly she sprang from her
chair with faint scream; what was that
loud noise in the old cupboard which
stood little to the right OF the fire place?
Grace was a nervous, timtd little thing,
and cold shivers ran over her delicate
frame rs she thought, I'm all alone In
the house, oh what can it be? A few mo-
moments she stood irresolute then stepped
forward slowly. but bravely, and opened
the cupboard door. Everything looked
right, everything seemed to be in its usual
place; but no, there on the middle shelf
was large pasteboard box thrown over on
its side. But what had caused the fall
Curiously she drew her chair to the center
Of the room, lett the cupboard door open,
and sat watching. A long time, 1t seemed
to her had passed, but still she sat, won
dering and watching, saying, 1t couldn't
be mouse; Oh no; mouse couldn't knock
that box down.
Grace had almost fallen asleep when the
least bit of noise in the cupboard attracted
her attention, and remaining perfectly mo-
tionless, she saw q tremendous mouse
stealing cautiously across the she'll She
did not make sound, but watched 1t
creep along until an unconcious movement
Of her foot frightened the creature. 1t
gave sudden spring and rushed againsta
small wooden box, which leaned against
the back of the cupboard, The box was
lostied but did not fall. A sudden idea
flashed through uraces brain. Wen she
knew that wooden box it was where papa's y
loaded pistol always stayed-the place
from which it WAS never taken except now
and then to be reloaded---tne army pistol
which he thought must he kept but which
WAS scarcely remembered Ms it lay in I'M
disturbed repose in the little box.
With eager face and quick beating heart
she ran to the cupboard; she dared not
touch the pistol, but, looking carefully,
she distinctly saw tiny round hole in the
side OF the box; then she discovered one OF
sctly like it on the side OF the Cupboard
which was toward the wall where the ball
still lay imbedded.
She was quite nervous with excitement
The mouse did it! the mouse did it! she
exclaimed again and again. Oh, I'm SC
glad ! was watching, so glad the mouse
did i'll
Did what, lady Grace? Are you quite
gone mad? asked Arthur's teasing voice
She had not heard the boys enter, bu,
there they were.
Oh the mouse shot the pistoll she eI
claimed again, clapping her hands and
laughing.
Are you acting enchantress in fairy
tale, little golden hair? he asked nevel
read elsewhere OF mouse that could per
form anything so wonderful.
Oh come aud see, she answered eIult
ingly, running her tiny finger tip throusl
the hole IN the cupboard, then pointing
cautiously to the one in the box.
II was a time-honored command tba
they should not touch the pistol so tn
boys only looked with eager eyes
Will saying slowly, Let me know tina
one load is missing from the cylinder and
will be satisfied.
The wondering little group gathere'
about Mr.. Thornton, as ho examined TIL
pistol upon his return. Yes, one loa'
was missing. Then the servant was calle'
who cleaned the room, and stated that on
, day, recently, in arranging the contents
the cupboard she had found the box con
tanning the pistol jostled fiat upon th
shelf, but had returned it to its positio
| without thought
Oh, boys, said the father; as they 81
about the fire discussing the matter; thin
: what injustice we have done poor Willis
( Well, father, answered Will; it was hi
own fault, after all. You said. yonrsel
that he would never have been thought {
, in this affair except for his sccasioni
: sprees
Yes; but the truth shows that We had n
!. sufficient grounds for suspicion. and
q mus, 20 immediately to Mr.. Arnold; l r
!, gret very deeply having mentioned Will
n to him.
e / think we must call Grace our little d
.ective, said Athnr, looking more earne
i, than usual. know this, III never aga
r accuse any one until perfectly sure he