South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-12-14

AeSuoSh stHu IloIhiu were IN Inc
distant meadow cutting grass; the tin
horn, by means of which she usually
summoned them, was hanging up
down stairs at the back of the kitchen
door.
Not a neighbor lived within sight
or call. And here she was at this
stealthy faced brute's mercy. Would
he gag her? Would he murder her?
What was to become of Aunt Themis'
gold beads and Reuben's new brea st-
pin, besides all the nice old silver
which had descended to them from
Grandmother Buffet?
NO. said Dotty to herself; 'for
myself l do not care. But the silver
shall be protectedp
With a quick glimpse of inspiration,
she advanced toward the stumbling
fellow with the sinister face.
There ale some old garments in
that big chest said she. You may
look at them; perhaps they will be
what you wantp
The eyes of the sinister man, who
had by this time reached the top of
the stairs, slistened. He promptly
advanced, and bending over the side
of the monster chest, peered into its
depths.
Most anything'll work in my trade,
said he. Il amt no ways pa'ticuIer,
because
Now was Dotty's time. AS he
be- I over, with at least two-thirds of
his body in tho old chest, she sprung
alertly forward, and bundled the 9th
er third Into the stuffy recesses.
TIL, tramp dropped like huge o.
vergrown kitten into the flannel
blankets. In q second, Dotty had
the lid shut down, and had turned the
key.
Now I've got you! said Dotty, all
triumphant, though dishevelled. .Oh,
yes! kick and pound all that you like,
but you'll not get out until Reuben
and Rankin are here =
And flying down stairs, she seized
the old tin horn and blew blast
which echoed like the Horn of Ron
cesvalles' over hill and dale.
Reuben, swinging his scythe on the
side hill. stopped to listen, Rankin
dropped his milestone, and Miles
Ruggles, the hired man, cried out:
'Jeru-salem! it amt twelve o.
clock yet!
There's something up, anyhow =
cried Reuben, making grasp at the
liLen coat which hung ON the nearest
tilberIy bush.
Mother amt home, and Dotty is all
alonep exclaimed Rankin.
'Wal, eff there's anything eytraor.
binary on the carpet, declared Miles,
Il amt a-goin' TO he left out in the
cold
Up hill and down dale, over log-
hridged streams and across hummo ky
swamp fastened the three brave re-
CIR lis, without loss of time, and rush
ed, all abreast, into the kitchen door.
Dotty stood there, with the broom
in one hand, and saucepan of boiling
water in the other, pale but resolute.
Dorothy = cried Reuben, what on
{ arth is the matter?'
Hes up stairs = gasped Dotty.
'Who is mp stairs?' demanded Ran
kin rs he reached down a loaded re-
volver from the very top shelf in odd
little hree,cornered cupboard.
'And think he's kicking through
the side of the chest faltered Dotty,
clinging TO Rankin's arm.
Jerusalem p again remarke ed
Miles Ruggles, under his breath
'Who?' persisted Reuben. What
chest?'
The burglarr said Dotty. Iue's
in the old chest up stairs. | tipped
him into it. And, oh, / was so afraid
afterward that he would suiiocate 10
death, because he was so still for a
minute or two =
'Astonished, maybe suggested
Miles Ruggles, under his breath. q
should a-been, | know
But when he began to kick said
Dotty, with little gasping breath
'and swear, | knew he was all right. >
Il should think so'p said Reuben.
with lowering brow. How did the
villain get in. Dotty?
left III the doors OPEN confess
ed Dottv, with conscience-strick EN-
AR. Aunt Themis told me not 10 ;
but ] thought there was no harm
And | had hardly got up stairs, when
he came shutting up, and | saw me
old silver Milk ing III his pocket. lie
wanted old CLOTHES; aud | told him
we had some in the chest; and when
he stopped over to look, | Just pushed
him in
Brave little heroine = said Rankin.
Aud locked it tight, nodded
Dotty.
The best thing you could have
DONE declared Reuben, admiringly.
Je-rusaieur commented Miles
Ruggles, shifting The kitchen table
with one horny palm.