The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-07-06
A PRESENTIMENT.

If there was anything Gin the heav-
ems above, in the earth beneath, or the
waters under the EARTH" that Mrs.
William Perkins was afraid of, it was
a 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 effaced. And ever
since she had had house of her own,
she had been expecting a similar occur
renee. Not a 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 a fierce robber concealed
therein
She was indeed 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. 81 have had such heavy,
weighed-down feeling all the after
noon"
"Iou coop yourself up too much, my
dear. A run over the hills or call at
a neighbours would tone you up won
derfully.
His wife looked injured.
81 thought you didn't approve of
women gaddng about" she said, with
apout.
"Not gadding, my dear, of course
not. 1 only meant taking necessary
exercise. But" anxious to avoid a
storm, "what makes you blue to-
night?"
AZ 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
Sum of money. l truly believe they'll
pay us visit before long," and Mrs.
Perkins shuddered as she tied her
pightcap strings.
"Well, let them comet" 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 that's-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, q 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 cold
hands 'asping his neck, while his wife,
with chattering teeth, whispered:
William William Wake up
Somebody is stealing your Plymouth
Rocks p
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-
golver, and hurried downstairs and out
at the back door. 1t was warm sum-
mer night, and he experienced no dis
CoilIOlI III his liSHO anu ali dlIlIt.
Just as he approached the hennery
the thief ran from it. No human
burglar, indeed, but instead small
black and white animal, 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. 81 wonder if l can catch
it," And away he started in pursuit
Down the garden walk went the
thief-out under the front gate anG
across the road. Regardless of the
stones and mud, and of his own scant
attire, Mr.. Perkins followed. There
was rush--then scramble, spraw
"a spiteful scratching and splitting
and the next instant Mr.. Perkins haC
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.. Per
kins bestowed a parting kick on thu
murderous feline, and then, holding
the poor little Plymouth Rock in hi
hand, he turned to retrace his steps t.