Middletown transcript., 1883-02-02

the shovel ~
But Aunt Penelope still shrieked on
never considering, with all woman's
inconsistency, that there was no ear te
hear within good two miles. Isabel
peremptorily silenced her holding the
bedclothes over her wide-opened mouth.
Hush, Aunt He will not hurt US.
All he wants is money. You will not
harm Us if we tell you where the silver
and the money are, sir ~
"That's a sensible way O. lookin' at
things Z said the midnight visitor, not
without certain gruff appreciation.
Where's the key to that there closet y
Aunt Pen, still struggled, however.
s'I'd as soon he should kill me as take
the money I've been savin' up these ten
years, N she suffered under the bed
clothes. Shoot him, why don't you,
Isabel where's the pistol?"
With one long-stride the ruffin pos
sessed himself Of Uncle Wilde's solitary
firearm.
"Here's the pistol, old lady; and
you'll get taste Of it, if you don't stop
that squeaking Where's the key, I
say ?"
SIN the upper drawer, close to the
right" /" directed Isabel.
Isabel! Isabel Are you crazy ~
screamed Aunt Penn, wildly tearing
at her dishevelled gray hair +" All my
money !! and all my bonds and the
silver plate I've had these thirty years
Help Murder r.
In vain were her convulsive efforts to
spring up; Isabel held her. resolutely
down in bed
There is no use, aunt he is stronger
than we are, and he has the pistol be-
sidas III
The man meanwhile calmly unlocked
the door Of the closet with the key to-
which Isabel had so accurately directed
him-the door Of that closet in which
Aunt Pen. kept all her choicest treas
ures, from ounce preserves and fancy
pickles up to the old-time silver teapot
and the store Of bank-bills which she
could never make up her mind to de-
posit in the County Bank.
But as he entered and stepped up on
the wooden chair that stood there, to
reach down the stocking foot-hoW
well he knew its lurking place Isabel
sprang up, swift and noiseless as a
shadow, flew across the room, and
closing the door on him, locked and
doubled locked it before he could turn
to utter a word Of remonstrance.
Then she sank, pale and utterly with
out strength, on a chair, covering her
eyes with her hands, while Aunt Pene-
lope sat up in bed staring blankly.
"Quick, Aunt we have no time to
lose He's safe nntil we can hurry
over to Deacon Perriman's and obtain
help Dress yourself, without an in
stant's loss Of time!''
The villain rained blows upon the
stout chestnut panels with feet and
hands, and shouted threats, entreaties,
and exercrations in vain, while Isabel
and her aunt attired themselves with
trembling hands. The lock however,
was strong and the hinges intact, and
safely defed all attack.
You may knock the skin off your
knuckIes, and it won't do no good!"
called out Aunt Pen. jeeringly, as they
prepared to leave the room. The good
old lady's spirits had gone up surpris-
ingly. You went in Of your own ac-
cord; and now get out the best you
can ~
Half an hour or 50 afterward, Deacon
Perriman, with two OF three Of his
stoutest farm hands, made their ap-
pearance on the scene Of action, and re-
leased the humanrat from his trap.
"Guess we'll lock him up down suller
until mornin'," !" said the Deacon, as he
surveyed the sullen, discounted face Of
the detected thief. Then we can take
him to Squire Miller's for committal.
50 yon trapped him, did you, Miss
Is'bel /? Wal do say fort, twas pretty
well done NJ
"And | half believed she was in
league with him one time,' confessed
Aunt Pen, patting the girls head.
F." You was wiser than your old aunt,
Isabel, my dear, and don't know how
I'm ever going to thank you r.
The culprit was safely committed to
the county Jail before that days sun
went down, and Aunt Pens. apprehen-
sions lest he should get away were
calmed.
III tell you what, Isabel" said the
old lady, "I'll send that silver and
money to the bank, and we'll get Elna-
than Stokes and his wife to come here
and stay with US nights. I don't think
its quite safe to sleep here alone"
When Isabel Penrith next wrote
home she told her parents Of her edven-
ture, and inclosed fifty dollar bill to
help pay the rent-Aunt Penelope's pre-
sent to her."
9 And Aunt Penn. is so kind to me, !"
she wrote, "and am very happy here,
although it is little lonely"
"Upon my word ~ said Joseph Pen
rith, as he read the letter, his spectacles
somewhat dimmed by proud moisture,
ssour little Isabel is heroine ~
Boston NCULCHAW.-Shew was mem
Der Of Boston literary club and was
visiting a Whitehall relative. A bevy
Of ladies and gentlemen were discussing
the character of Hamlet's Ophelia.
/" Miss B, what do you think Of
Ophelia ~ asked a gentleman, "what
in your opinion, are the strongest words
| .44o,.oJ ~ +I,a+ y,Dbopnu fnDaIa 913