St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-02-23

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Ihey had found mammals muff
which Ernie had perhaps dropped
suppose it aroused their suspicion
and made them search. Yes, my fears
were confirmed directly the next mar
spoke. AS for poor mamma, do moi
know how she managed to stand, ol
let the sentry box do so, so greatly
did she trenble. | clasped her hand
tightly, but | think she was scarcely
aware of the fact. Indeed, if it were
possible for anybody to be more
alarmed than | was, poor mamma, il
her weak state of health, was thai
person.
"YOu great sorft," calculated the
brute who had kicked Jobs PROSTATE
form, ''if anybOdy's been here they're
here yet, hidden somewhere. They
durstn't make off after seeing enough
to give the alarm. How could they
know whereabouts we were, more es.
peclally a female? They're mostly
timli. Let's set to and find. Only
pirfs this reservation-let me wiring
their necks"
Mamma clasped me, and | cIasped
her, breathlessly. We both felt that
our hour had come. Indeed, | had al
most spoken, so sure was | of discOv-
cry. But not yet. Near as they were
to us, they never seemed to think OF
the sentry box. 1t was such a simple,
unlikely place. They tramped among
the Goals, they hulloaed aloud. while
mamma and l clung desperately to
each other just within a stones throw
AT last things grew quieter. | thought
they had returned into the house.
This was the moment had been long
ing for. Were they really in ? 1t was
impossible to see, for, as has been be-
fore stated, our sentry box faced the
dead wall-just a short space from it.
We should have been discovered other
wise. Many times since have thought
that it was providentially put there, it
was so fortunate, for had it been up to
the coal house wall we could not have
got in, and had it been in any other
position they must have seen us from
one way or another. But lucky as it
was that it gave them no chance of
seeing us, it was awkward, inasmuch
as it prevented our view. With the
impulsive rashness of bOyhood, was
just going to venture out when mamma
pulled me closer and said tremblingly ::
''Wait another moment, Randie ;
Randie, my beautiful boy They are
watching yet. Only one man has re-
entered the house. 1t is ruse. Hushl"
The men were outside speaking ::
"There is nobody here. It's all your
confOunded fears, Bob. Let's prepare
for the farmer. Ha ha we will give
him warm reception. A red Christ
mas, and no mistake" | shuddered at
the significance of their speech, but |
was trying to brace myself up again.
The narrow escape had had made me
timid and fearful. "Mamma," | whis-
pered, seizing her hand and kissing it,
81 am going to try and bring help.
They-may catch me-and-and kill
me, but if they do | shall not--not
mind-sO very much" Here l gulped
down sob as | thought of home life
and its sweetness. ~ shall dO-my
best-tO bring succOr." "Bless you,
my handie," murmured mamma, in
such a low tone that | could scarcely
catch what she said. ayes, my dar-
ling, you must go for both our sakes.
God bless yOu, my boy. He will,
know, watch over you, for we always
trust in Him; don't we, Randolph,
dear? | know | feel that you will
reach home in safety. | have prayed
for it, and if | am caught-found out
here, dear bOy-give my love to them
at home, and say God knows best"
| was choking too much to answer.
The stiffness continued awful in its
way, though not so bad as those
voices had been, when they gradually
neared us.
(Which way should | venture ?" |
asked Ground through this pathway
to the front, or round by the back
again ?" And my heart sank with
dread as l inwardly recognized how
great were my chances of being caught
"Your best way, Randolph" replied
mamma, running her finger through
my hair caressingly, as if she were
10th to part with me. yet recognized
the necessity nevertheless, sis to slip
along straight with this coal place,
wind behind the Out-buildings, so that
they cannot see you from the house
then when you reach the lane run for
your life. Run to papa, dear, and tell
him to bring succOr quickly. Plenty
of men and firearms. Tell them they
have desperate men to contend with.
Good bye, my boy. Do not be afraid.
l know you will succeed"
~ am not afraid" | replied daunt-
lessly, crushing down every feeling.
II am off" and out | went. The first
feeling | had was that | could not run,
but then was off like shot. | flew,
each minute increasing rather than di-
my pace. Once as l ran
along the lane | fancied | saw two
eyes glaring through the hedge. |
gave a scream and hurried on, but as
no one pursued | concluded it was only
the distorted effects of vivid imagi-
nation. Ere | reached the lane end
cOgitated which was the best way to
take when | reached the highrOad.
Trnly, my mother had enjoined me to
get papa's and the village assistance
but meanwhile, while so doing, the
farmer and his wife might return-be
robbed and murdered. Which course
should l take Home in half a mile,
or the other way, with the chance of
meeting the farmer any moment, or else
having TO go on for miles ? | do not
know which way | should have gone,
but as | left the lane | saw two work
men - common labOrers - returning
home toward the village. shouted to
them, all fears for myself from that
gone. 1t was so nice to set
eyes on any kindly human being with
strength. For some time they did not
hear me, but | ran and called until / |
made them hear.
"Deakin ! Wilkinson" over and over
again until they turned.
master Randolph, what is the mat
ter 7" asked Deakin. | explained as
well as | could in few words, begging
them to call papa and some one else to
go with them. They would have gone
straight to Greengage Manor-let it be
told to thair oradit l,n+ I J;1 80. -.