Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-12-13

Nt''NA bAbpooiil 10 VI antttllt1bs "a Ilu
to think that Aunt Themis never let
me look into IL beforer'
There was nothing very particular,
after all, in it. Only stuify-smelling
blankets, moth-eaten gown or two,
the brass buttoned military coat in
which Uncle Amaniah-dead these ten
years-had been wont to rally on
training days.
"Pshawr said Dotty. There
ought to have been forgotten will
there, or a skeleton, at the very least.
It's humbug. that old chest"
Just as this reflection passed through
her mind, a whining. nasal voice
sounded ut the bottom of the little
wooden stairway. which wound up
like a corkscrew from below.
ANY old clothes to exchange for
beautiful china vases, lady? Any
cold victuals for poor man.
He was stalwart, black-browed
fellow, with villainous, slit-like eyes,
and a tattered yelvctecn suit; and
Dotty's heart stood still with terror
for a second
oh, if she had only obeyed her Aunt
Themis and locked up those doors!
NO" she said, shortly. "Go away"
'Dont be hard on a poor fellow,
miss" whined the man.
And Dotty WAS quite certain that
she saw the spout of Aunt Themis'
old solid silver cream jug protruding
from the flaps Of his ragged velvetccn
pocket. At the same moment. ne
began ascending the stairs with
insolent delibcration.
In IN instant all the doubts, the
breads, the possibilities. the horrors Of
the situation. glanced across Dotty's
mind.
Reuben and Rankin were in the dis
tant meadow cutting grass; the tin
horn. 10y 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
ca'' \ ld here she was at this
stcaAhy faced brute's mercy. Would
he gag ns. Would he murder her
What was to become Of Aunt Themis'
gold beads and Rcubcn's new breast
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
shnH be protected"
With q quick glimpse Of inspiration,
she advanced toward the shamhling
fellow with the sinister face.
There are some old garments in
that big chest" said she You may
look at them; perhaps they will be
what you want"
The eyes Of the sinister man. who
had hy this time reached the top Of
the stairs, glistcned lie promptly adj
vanccd, and bending over the side Of
the monster chest. pecrei into its
depths
Most anythingll work in in my
trade" said he Il amt no ways
pa'ticklcr. because
Now was Dottys time. As he bent
over. with at least two-thirds Of his
body in the old chest, she sprang
alertly forward. and bundled tho other
third into the stuGy reccsscs.
The tramp dropped like a huge over
grown kitten into the flannel blankets.
In a second Dotty had the lid shut
down. and hal turned the key.
"Now I've got you" said Dotty. all
triumphant. though disheyelled. "Oh,
yes! kick and pound all that you like.
but you'n not get out until Reuben
and Rankin are here
And flying down stairs. she seized
the old tin horn and blew a blast
which echoed like the "IIorn Of
Roncesvalles" over hill and dale.
Reuben. swinging his scythe on the
side hill. stopped to listen, Rankin
dropped his whetstone and Miles
Ruggles. the hired man. cried out:
"Je-ru- salem, II amt twelve O'Clock
yetr'
There's something up, anyhow
cried Reuben. making a grasp at the
linen coat which hung on the nearest
tilberry bush.
Mother amt home. and Dotty is all
aIapoa' nwolaiunp1 Ranlfu