The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-09-06


There came the sound OF vigorous
{" bang r. ct the door, and then the We
hement voice of Mary in stormy alter
cation with some one. Then they heard
tremendous crash, and with simulta-
neous shrieks of terror the three
parted. Carrie dove under the bed,
Aunt Sadie bounced into closet and
closed the door, while Mamie sought
refuge in flight upstairs.
" It's q lunatic r. was Aunt Sadie's
agonized thought, while horrid visions
of dire tragedies Aoated through Oar
rie's mind.
They heard noises below stairs which
plainly indicated a scuffle OF some sort
then shortly after there sounded foot
steps on the stairs.
"He has killed Mary, and is coming
up here to butcher usp thought the
trembling old lady, as she crouchsd
further lack in the darkest corner of
the closet, while Carrie kept very quiet,
although she was on the verge Of
screaming.
Patter, patter, patter, sounded the
approaching footsteps, nearer each mo.
ment; then there was pause, and they
distinctly heard heavy, labored breath
ing. The suspense was becoming in
tolerable to the two ladies, and dim
thoughts crossed Mrs. Halls mind of
breaking from her concealment, Of
rushing vsliantly out, confronting the
intruder with poker, or some other
implement of self-detense, and by star
ing at him dauntlessly drive him from
the room; she had heard maniacs could
be subdued by unfinching courage, and
stare as unwavering and giant-like as
that of an owl. But before she could
put her theory into practice the door
opened; then Aunt Sadie gprang out, a
low cry escaped her lips, and she sank
feebly back into chair. For the per
son in the room was Mary. That female
was in stormy frame of mind, and
there was a vicious look on her generally
good-humored face"
"Och, nam r. she cried, "I've had
such ruction wild the sould feller az
got thin biscuits this very blessed
mornin', down at the dhure, that I'm
nearly dead now, so amp
"What does all this meant" demanded
Aunt Sadie.
"Sbure, ma'am," returned Mary, in
perylexity, "I don't know meself. Whin
tux him Miss Carries biscuits this
mornin' wid your compliments"
"With my compliments? ?" echoed the
bewildered old lady. "Why, you are
bereft of your senses, girl Who did
you give biscuits to this morning with
my compliments%
"Why, the aould man az KEN to the
dhure jist now, AKIN for your blessed
self an Miss Mamie, shure. Faith, he
was that wild wouldn't let the likes av
him in, an bedad we had tussle which
same ended in meself givin' him ther
fut an landin' him in the airy, whin I
schlammed the dhure in his onmannerly
face, so did, or yez moight arl ave
been kilt If he'd kem dacintly an
axed ter see yez, gracious only knows
what 'ud happinedi"
"Who was that man p asked the old
lady, in hewilderment,
"I don't know, mR'am, for he's on'y
moved into this strate; he lives beyant
in that elegant house, number forty
FIVE, an more deceivin' man I never
see. It's moighty quare he is, for this
mornin' he was all schmoiles an graces,
an this avening he scanned to be clane
garn in his upper story"
At this interesting juncture Carrie
emerged from her retreat, looking very
foolish. That Mary had carried hel
present to the wrong house she had nc
doubt. Number forty-fve and number
fifty-four are numbers widely different
and by not paying attention to what wal
said the girl evidently had gotten the
numbers transposed in her mind, and Sc
made the blunder.
"Well, I declare !" exclaimed the
old lady. 1 am at loss to understand
what this all MEANS"
"Aunt Sadie" interposed Carrie
gently, Z" it is partly my fault. ThiI
morning sent Mary with that half
dozen of my biscuits to Mr.. Covert, an6
told her to say they were from you; bu
she carried them to the wrong house
and the man who followed Mamie wal
the recipient of them, and probably
wished to ask her why they were sent.
"Well, never r. gasped the old lady
"That accounts for it."
Though she said nothing about IL
she appreciated her niece's kind act il
saying she had sent the biscuits; al
though, coupled with this intendet
kindness, Carrie had intended perpe-
trating joke. The explanation seemed
satisfactory enough, too, but the httl,
shadow of mystery surrounding tina
days doings was only just developing
and the following day they were to be
very much more surprised.
"It's odd your father has not returned
for tea" observed Aunt Sadie, after al
the dishes, save one for the absent min
lister, had been cleared away.
she said he was going to make seve
raj calls" replied Carrie.
He is always late" grumbled the
old ladyA
"Aunt Sadie" said Carrie, "what il
J the matter with you to-day--you are sc
! out of temper?"
For answer, her aunt burst into tears