The banner-enterprise., 1883-07-12
A PRESENTIMENT.

Ill tnere was anytnlng In tne neaV-
ems above, in the earth beneath, or the
waters under the earth," that Mrs.
William Perkins was afraid of, it was
burglar When a mere child, her
fathers house had been broken into
and robbed, and the remembrance Of
the excitement of that time was too
strong to be ever etfaced. And ever
since she had had q house Of her own,
she had been expecting a similar occur
renee. Not night passed that she
didn't look in the closet or under the
bed, and her husband jokingly declared
that she even examined the soap dish
and match-safe in the expectation of
beholding fierce robber concealed
therein
She was indeed a timid little body,
starting nervously at the slightest
sound, always on the lookout for
"signs.' and now and then, when
"blue" and depressed, declaring that
"she had a presentiment."
81 believe something is going to
happen tonight, William" she said,
late one summer evening, as she sat
on the edge of the bed and unbuttond
her shoe. Il have had such a heavy,
weighed-down feeling all the after
noon."
"You coop yourself up too much, my
dear. A run over the hills or a call at
neighbors would tone you up Won
derfully.
His wife looked injured
~ 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 a
storm, "what makes you blue to-
night"
81 don't know, Pm sure, unless it's
thinking about burglars. Did you
know that the MillerS, who live up on
the creek road, had their house en-
tered last week? The thieves got a
watch, pair of earrings and quite a
sum of money. | truly believe they'll
pay us visit before long," and Mrs.
Perkins shuddered as she tied her
pightcap strings.
"Well, let them comel' said her
husband, coolly, as he laid his tired
head on the pillow. They've been
coming ever since we've been married
and kept house, and thats-let me see
-nine years in June. Takes 'em a
long whi.e-hey, Betty"
"You needn't laugh. It's no joking
matter. And l tell you what" i'm.
pressively, 81 know that something
is going to happen-I feel it in my
bones."
About II o'clock that night Mr.
Perkins was awakened by two colo
hands 'asping his neck, while his wife
with chattering teeth, whispered:
William William Wake up
Somebody is stealing your Plymouth
Rocks !"
This was enough to fully arouse
him, for he was something of poultry
fancier, and the Plymouth Rock fowls
being at that time very rare breed
had been purchased by him at an ex
travagant price.
He sprang out of bed, seized his re
volver, and hurried downstairs and out
at the back door. 1t was a warm sum
mer night, and he experienced no dis
comfort in his light and airy attire.
Just as he approached the henner,
the thief ran from it. No human
burglar, indeed, but instead a smal
black and white animal, weasel or
cat-which, Mr.. Perkins could not tell
But the animal, whatever 1t was, haC
one of his young Plymouth Rocl
chickens in its mouth.
"The pesky thing" muttered Mr.
Perkins. 81 wonder IL l can catcl
IT," And away he started in pursuit
Down the garden walk went tn
thief-out under the front gate an'
across the road. Regardless of tn
stones and mud, and of his own scan
attire, Mr.. Perkins followed. Their
was a rush-then a scramble, spraw
"a spiteful scratching and splitting
and the next instant Mr.. Perkins ha'
the struggling, furry body in his grasp
Fortunately, the culprit proved t
be only cat. . Its victim was linn
and lifeless.
Angry and disappointed, Mr.. Pei
| kins bestowed a parting kick on tn
murderous feline, and then, holdin
the poor little Plymouth Rock in hi
hand, he turned to retrace his steps I