Mexico weekly ledger., 1882-05-04
LOTTA'S BURGLAR.


in the term. Still more unprece-
dented was it for potent, grave,
and reverend senior to have any share
in the mischief. Yet, only three
nights before the commencement, the
students "made things how'll and
Tom Anstruther was head and front
of the offending. They nailed up
over the chapel door the sign, "To
Providence and way-stations," stolen
from the railroad. They serenaded
obnoxious members of the faculty in
terms anything but flattering. They
built a huge bonfire on the campus,
and indulged in promiscuous song
and dance performance around it.
In the midst of the uproar there
was the cry of Faculty! Faculty."
followed by an instant hush. The
students scattered in all directions,
Anstruther as fast as any-faster, in
deed, when he found himself closely
followed. His particular pursuer
appeared to be one of the younger
professors, who quite caught the spir-
it of the chase. Tom found it i'm
possible to shake him off. Was the
valedictorian of the graduating class
to be caught thus ANONYMOUSLY?
An open basement window gave
him an inspiration. He sped past it :;
then, doubling cleverly on his foe,
,sprang through it, and laughed to hear
his pursuer's footsteps grow fainter
in hot pursuit up the street.
Up stairs Lotta Desmond was
brushing out her pretty brown hair,
preparatory to retiring. On her dain-
tily-frilled toilet table, lookingly out
of place, lay COUSIN Jim's revolver.
There had been good many jokes
about that revolver. Her uncle and
cousins had solemnly installed Lotta
as man Of the house during their alb
sence. Jim had reminded her of the
exploits of brave Mrs. Brown and
Mrs. Peters. The first of these la
dies had, alone and unarmed, held a
burglar captive until help came. The
second, under like circumstances,
had completely routed two desperate
villains.
And Lotta had demanded jim s
pistol, and declared that she only
wanted a chance to emulate their her.
ism. And Jim had promised to watch
the papers for similar mention of
daring Miss Desmond. So she smiled
when her eyes fell ont the pistol, for
as yet no opportunity for glory had
come to her, and Jim would be home
tomorrow.
just then her aunt came into the
room, fancying-as she had fancied
every night since her husbands de-
parture-that she heard noise. And
would Lotta, who was so fearless,
mind going down stairs to investi-
gate?
So Lotta thrust her little bare feet
into her slippers, threw on wrapper
and sailed forth, revolver in hand.
Aunt Lucy detained her with a last
word; in case it should be any one to
''let her know Immediately, but other
wise not to disturb her, as she was
exceedingly fatigued."
With a dim reccollection that the
dining room window had not beer
closed, the young girl made her noise
less way thither at once. The gas
had been put out, and miserable
candle left burning. What Lotta saw
by its dim light was tall young mar
rather roughly clad.
Alas! Tom, usually something of {
dandy, had that night donned his
poorest array; his hair disordered
his clothes grimmed with dust anG
SCOT from which not even his face hat
escaped-he stood coolly examining
her uncle's silver. Spirit of Mrs
Brown and Mrs.-the other lady-in
spire Lotta!
"Drop that, orI fire!''
Tom turned with start. What h,
saw was a pretty girl in charming
neglige, whose voice and hand boil
shook as she uttered this dought,
threat, and in whose face a certain
determination look of one fright
ened at her own daring, appealed t.
his sense of humor. But it woult
never do to laugh at her. Beside
that pistol in her uncertain, unfamil
lar hand was no joke. So he said
with due humility
II surrender. But for heaven
sake, put up that revolver! You ar
as likely to shoot yourself as me. ''e'
''Not at ALL" she replied, evident
| ly nettled; ~ am perfectly accus
toned to using it,
Need it be said that this was de
liberate lie, uttered with the inten
of striking terror to the bosom of tn
robber? ~
For the same purpose Lotta con
tinued to level her pistol and eye hiI
with much outward severity and nc
a few inward terrors, thinking withal
that your housebreaker is not the boil
desperate he is painted. Still, KEEP
ing watch over one is weary. work
heigh no! Tom rapidly determine
to see the adventure through. Tim
enough to make his escape should sh
call for help, or should any fres
, complications arise. He hoped sh