Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1884-02-08
AN HOUR OF PERIL.

If yo1 please, ma'am,' said Betsy
the help, presenting herself in the
doorway. with her arms dripping with
soap-suds. and her calico skirts fes-
tooned about her spare form in way
that Worth would never have imagined,
"there's an insane man in the barn."
l had just seated myself down to my
morning task of coloring a cluster OF
blue harebells, which Donald had
brought in, a trophy of his before
breakfast walk up the mountain. Baby
was sweetly sleeping; Tommy and lit
tie Donald were fishing for minnows
in the meadow stream, and was heart
lily congratulating myself upon the
success of my idea of renting noun
tain cottage for the sultry summer
months.
"a what?" l gaspcd.
"An insane man, ma'am," said Betsy
''Leastways, that's what Deacon Ga-ffs &
ly shouted as he was gallopin' by OF
horseback, to catch the down train
holierin' good and loud, as he's aware
amt quick o hearin'. Tell your mis-
Sis. says he, to call the children in
there's an insane man in the barn
says he"
"But, Betsy" cried l, involuntarily
clutching at the baby's crib, it can't
be possible p
THAT'S what Deacon Gadsly said
maam, and Ill take my Bible oath TO
it" said Betsy, nodding her head with
a countenance expressive of entire con
viction.
"Then why didn't he come to our
help?' l cried, wringing my hands
helplessly.
Don't know, ma'am," said Betsy.
"unless it was because the mail-train,
like time and tide in the spellin book.
waits Tor no man.
"But what are we to do?" | almost
sobbed. my courage and presence of
mind nearly deserting me as | pictured
to myself the horrible vision of a lu-
matte dancing about among the hatch
cts, scythes and bay-cutters in the
barn.
Don't know, ma'am," said Betsy.
me with sort of mild cen
tempt, as one of the city ladies who
become powerless under the presence
If any sudden emergency, unless you
'all in the boys and lock the barn
ioors as quick as possible"
looked appealingly at Betsy.
Betsy said /, "would you mind
ocking the barn doors, like a dear,
rood soul, while run after Donald and
rommy?"
Betsy cleared her throat emphatically.
Not if l know it, ma'amr' said she.
l hain't no more partiality than other
olks for crazy people. My Uncle was
ssistant keeper in a lunatic asylum.
nd he was choked to death by one of
he patients. And | don't mean that
Ort of thing shall run in the family,
la'am, not if can help it,
"Then, cried 1, driven to sudden re-
Dive, "stay here with the baby, Bet
'--dont leave her for your lifel-while
go after the boys. Good Heaven. If
le wretch should be attacking my
Dor children now"
With almost superhuman speed
IN down along the edge of the woods,
lied Tommy and Donald each by one
ind, and dragged them home, not even
opping to explain matters to their be-
ildered little ears.
"Come, children, GOMEZ l painted
IN, do make hastet We must get |
lck to the house Immediately" l
But I've left my ishing-hook, man. }
a., pleaded Donald, with a longing,
lgering look over his shoulder. I
Cant we stop in the barn, man. I
az cried Tommy, "to see if Mr. |
mes has sent the cosset lamb he prom ]
d us?" S
Children" said pausing tG regain v
breath, "at your peril keep away
I'm the barn. There is crazy man "
ere. Heaven only knows what yio- h
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