Ellsworth American., 1883-11-01
Miscellaneous.
Up the Flue.

''iou must have some rare experiences 70
tell us, Mrs. Boswell" said persuasive Lieu
tenant Russell. while We waited for the mail
stage. "lou have been at this frontier post
ever since Captain Boswell was stationed
here 2"
"les; we have been here eight years"
she replied. with the rare smile that glorified
her face. II have passed through many
trying ordeals here, but really think had
an adventure in the east before married
the Captain, equal to anything that have
experienced"
Three of US were sitting in an inner apart
ment OF the small frontier hostelry. The
bar-room was packed with miners, and we
had chosen to have our supper served BY
ourselves, as We had appointed % 90 on TO
Custer City in company.
At was in IS" she began II had Just
made the acquaintance Of Capt. Boswell, as
he having some business matters TO arrange
with father. had called at our place several
times. Finally, there came rare day in
autumn. and he and father were closeted the
greater part of the day, overhauing papers,
memoranda, deeds and receipts Ny father
at the time was doing a great deal of bust
ness as an attorney.
AT tea time father said to me: 'Bess,
you won't mind an evening alone, SO long as
Thomas is about. will you?
Il said no. for although there were many
robberes being committed in the neighbor-
ing cities, private families in the suburbs felt
no fear. Our house was a mile from the
city proper, and half mile from neighbors
either way.
"'We find, he continued, that the Cap
tain has got 10 hunt up some more papers
concerning the estate before he can give Bar
ron satisfactory title We shall 20 to
Judge Whitcomb's office, and our search may
be SO successful that II o'clock will find US
home again. Still we may be detained long
er. Shan't call and tell YOUR Cousin Milly
to come down and spend the night with
you?'
"'No-yes,' ! contradictorily answered
DO as you please; am not timid in the
least, with Thomas about
'''But Captain Boswell is going to leave
5000 here until he returns
docs any one know about the money n
"'Only ourselves
"sThen am not afraid. Beside, YOU are
likely to be back before sraveyards yawn and
thieves do walk abroad
81 sang about my work as put things in
shape around the room, and viewed the brill
liant sunset. without fear or care.
'Thomas. our newman of-all- work, was
very busy puttering about the grounds, ,tying
up grapevines and mulchipg evergreens. |
knew there was some coarse aftermath upon
the hill that father was anxious to have put
on the strawberry beds, and seeing Thomas
90 up there With his basket | tied scarf
over my head, took another basket and went
up to help him.
"As passed up the hill l saw man in
the highway speak to him. hesItated about
going on, but the man made only mo-
ment's pause, and then went down the bill,
and was soon concealed by a turn in the
highway.
"'Who was that, Thomas p inquired.
"'Oh, miss, IT was man from the mills,
saying that my brother has had bad fall
on the dam, and is believing for me to come
and see him. His legs are broken entirely
"'What will you do?'
81 told the man could not come to see
him to-day-but if | went, miss, would
sure to be back By II Of the clock, if not
earlier
".You may 90. Thomas, if your brother
is hurt SO bad. Papa will not be away long.
'.He talked few minutes more, was pro-
fuse in his thanks for my kindness, and then
started down for the city. took up the two
baskets, and went singing to the house.
II closed my window, and, obeying some
strange, impressive power, wake / through
the hall into the library, took my fathers
KEY from its accustomed place, unlocked his
desk, found the package Of five thousand
dollars, and, placing it in my bosom. relock-
ed the door, and returned to the sitting
room. | did not light a lamp; had no
need of a fire, as that from the kitchen stove
warmed the sitting room sufficiently in this
mild weather.
"The house was old fashioned, very, with
a fireplace in the sitting room opening up
into chimney of capacity sufficient for a
foundry stack. We had cheerful, open fires
later on but the house being an ancestral
pile, was getting somewhat dilapidated, and
the partition separating the fues in the large
chimney had fallen in. Men had been sent
to clear the rubbish and make repairs. but
the work, half done, was suspended on ac-
count of the arrival Of Captain Boswell and
this importan, business affair.
81 would have enjoyed immensely to kin
die sparkling fire in the huge, wide fire
place. but as affairs were ] could not. So |
mused in darkness for hours. | really took
no heed of time, until my quick ear caught
the sound of foot fall approaching, close