Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-10-18
Selected Sfory.
THE NIGHT-WATCHMAN'S
DAUGHTER.
BY BERTHA A. ZEDI WINkLER.

/ Nine peals from the steeple Vi al
ancient town hall in Germany have
created the usual stir attendant OF
the cessation of labor and beginning
of rest and enjoyment. The seam
stress, with sigh of relief, pricks he
/ fingers for the last time; the thresh-
crs drop their fails with an extra
thud; the shuttle rests in its harbo
of yarn and doors are closed every
where with CHEEKY "good-mghts;
while children are hustled to bee
amid rebellous snitlling; and taverr
lights flare brighter to tempt the hes
itating footstcp.
So, at least, thought the young
daughter Of the towns night t.watc h
man, whose voice was lately hear'
more punctual in tavern carousa
than in announcement of the nigh
hours, and who owed it all to hi;
daughters cloquence that the hurso
master gave him one more trial.
What wonder that she saw false bea
con lights in the Red Lion and the
Golden Crown, and outwatched the
stars, listening for her fathers voice
on duty.
Nine o'clock always found hin
alert on duty. It was the midnight
and still hours she waited for witt
anxiety. So she sought a slight re-
pose upon the window ledge, whe'
his clear voice punctually announced
the tenth hour.
Hated tavern lights, recling par
ent, Il threatening burgomastcr, and
grim poverty, were banishcd as hel
ewes closed in healthful slumher,-
Only too soon would they reappeAl
in their dread reality.
Eleven She was wide awake. SO
evidently WIS the night-watrhman
for the hour was repeated with one
of those reveler's dittles in which /;
sharp car recognized the flush o.
careless abandon.
The Young girl hated that gay
song. which savored of tavern asso'
Citations, and which had so often sig
nailed his silence for the rest Of the
night. She would have substituted
the more appropriate hymn, 50 popu-
lar in some towns, ending with:
"IIuman watch from harm can't ward lis
God will watch, and God will guard lis,
as she real zcd her own lonely help
lessness, and that of the very "hu
man watch groplng, perhaps, even
now, in the street which hHI once hc.
fore been his bed instead Of patrol.
With hope and fear trembln. il
the balance Of the next hour, 1t seem
ed an aye of nervous wakciUlncss.-
Many girl would have trembIed in
fear OF all sorts of ghostly apparltlons
so near midnight. But her troubles
were too real TO admit imaginary
ones and hearts nWscd by Solitude
find her more conpanlonabIc than
some people.
The reverbcration Of twelve rous-
ing strokes have died away, and her
fathers familiar voice is not heard -
She listens with bated breath. Deep
silence everywhere. Surely it would
come, now, noW-ycs ycs-no-ycs-;t
faint, cultural rhyme, abruptly bro
ken, was all that reached her ear.
Once more the night watch had
failed in his duty, Wakeful inhabi-
tants might listen in vain for his voice
the rest Of the night; some early
workman would find him in drunken
slumbcr under the caves Of a house,
and all was lost. Oh, why was she
not man:
She repeated the burgamastcr's s
joking question when he, good d-natur--
edIy, pinchcd her cheeks, feeling for
the first time, the inconvenience OF
her restricted sex. Dauntless in
youthful energy, experience had not
yet taught her the wisdom of adapta
biIity,
Some earnest purpose had evident
ly takonpossession of he rmind, as she
enveloped herself in a large mantle
and paced the floor with rapid tread ,
One O'Clock Again she listened,