The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-07-14

Summons my spirit 70 her heavenly home.
MISS PERKrNs's PREsENTrMENr.
If there was anything "in the heaven.
above, in the earth beneath, or th.
waters under the earth," that Mrs
William Perkins was afraid Of il was +:
burglar When a mere child, her father.
house had been broken into and rob
bed, and the remembrance Of the excite
ment Of that time was too strong to be
ever effaced. And ever since she had
house Of her own, she had been ex.
pecting similar occurrence. Not &
night passed that she didn't look in the
closet or under the bed, and her hus.
band jokingly declared that she even
examined the soap-dish and h-safe
in the expectation Of beholding fierce
robber concealed therein
She was, indeed, timid little boy,
starting nervously at the slightest sound,
always on the lookout for "signs," and
now and then when "blue" and depress.
ed, declaring that "she had PRESENT..
ment."
al believe something is going to
happen tonight, William" She said,
late one summer evening, as she sat
down on the edge Of the bed and un.
buttoncd her shoe. al have had such a
heavy weighed down feeling all the af-
tcrnoon."
"You coop yourself up too much, my
dear. A run over the hills or a call at
a aneighbor's would tone you up wonder
fully"
His wife looked injured.
al thought you didn't approve of
women gadding about" she said, with a
pout.
"Not gadding, my dear, Of course not.
| only meant taking necessary exercise. -
But anxious to avoid storm, "What
makes you blue tonight"
al don't know, Pm sure, unless it's
thinking about burglars. Did you know
the Millers, who live up on the creek
road, had their house entered last week 2
The thieves got watch, a pair Of ear
rings, and quite a sum Of money. I
truly believe they'll pay US visit before
long," and Mrs. Perkins shuddered as
she tied her nightcap strings.
"Well, let them come !" said her
husband, coolly, as he laid his tired
head on the pillow. "They've been
coming ever since we've been married
ssd kept house, and that's-let me see
nine years in June. Takes 'em long
while-hey, Betty"
"You needn't laugh. It's no Joking
natter. And tell you what" impress
sively, al know that something is ago
ing to happen--l feel il in my bones.
About twelve o'clock that night Mr..
Perkins was awakened by two cold
hands clasping his neck, while his wife,
with chattering teeth, whispered:
"Williaml-Williami Wake up. Some
body is stealing your Plymouth Rocksl"
This was enough to fully arouse him,
for he was somewhat Of a poultry fancier,
and the Plymouth Rock fowls, being'at
that time very rare breed, had been
purchased by him at an extravagant
price.
He sprang out Of bed, seized his re-
volver, and hurried downstairs and
out at the backdoor. Ii was 4 warm
summer night, and he experienced no
discomfort in his light and airy attire.
Just as he approached the hennery,
the thief ran from it. No human burg
lar, indeed, but instead, small black
and white animal-a weasel or a cat
which, Mr.. Perkins could not tell. But
the animal, whatever it was, had one Of
his young Plymouth Rock chickens in
its mouth.
"The pesky thing" muttered Mr..
Perkins. al wonder il I can't catch
it," And away he started in pursuit.
Down the garden-wail went the thief
out under the front gate and across
the road. Regardless Of the stones and
mud, and Of his own scant attire, Mr..
Perkins followed. There was rush.
then scramble, sprawl-a spiteful
scratching and spitting-and, the next
instant Mr.. Perkins had the struggling,
furry body in his grasp.
Fortunately, the culprit proved to be
only cat. It's victim was limp and
lifeless.
Angry and disappointed, Mr.. Perkins
bestowed parting kick on the murder
Gus feline, and then, holding the poor
little Plymouth Rock in his hands, he
turned to retrace his steps to the house.
But just at this instant, around a
curve in the road, not more than a
dozen rods away, was heard the sound
Of horses hoofs and carriage-wheels.
The moon threw broad, white light
upon the road, and Mr.. Perkins knew
that he could not re-cross without being
seen by the occupants Of the approach
ing vehicle. Accordingly, he darted
behind a clump Of elderbushes, and,
crouching down, waited in breathless
anxiety.
"Jerusaleml" he muttered to him.
self. "This is n pretty pickle for 4
deacon OF the church to be ini'
Nearer and nearer came the carriage,
the horse jogging along at a funeral
rate-evidently the driver was in no
hurry.
There were two persons in the car
riage. The moonlight fell full on their
faces, and Mr.. Perkins, peering through
the bushes, recognized Henry Martin,
a likely young farmer Of the vicinity,
and Dora Sanders, his sweetheart. Ii
may be well to state just here, that the
two were returning from a party at
which, for a wonder, fair Dora had
been so unusually gracious, that young
Martin, hitherto very timid lover,
had courageously made up his mind to
20 through the trying ordeal Of "pop.
ping the question" on their homeward
journey. Indeed, by the time they
had reached the Perkins domain, he
had aetuallv Ootten so far as TO saw In