The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-11-27

see the dining-room closet door ajar
also. He had often visited at the house,
being quite a favorite with the young
ladies, and he now quickly decided to
creep softly in, deposit his basket in
the closet, then creep softly out again.
ring the bell and tell Classy he had dis
covered the door ajar and thought it
hardly safe-it would be SO agreeable
to see her just for a moment-then he
would advise her to look in the closet
and see what she could find.
He entered quietly enough, but n
of the children had left a top just out
side the closet door, which a luckless
touch of his foot sent rolling along. He
paused at the sound, but hearing moth.
ing, ventured into the closet; the next
instant the door was slammed to amid
Aunt Abby's screams, and Classy had
flown out to secure his arrest.
At the croner of the street she a
against Captain Barkson, a powerfully
built man, and a retired sea-Captain.
20, Captain Barkson!" Classy gasped
forth, 'sthere's a robber in our house,
come quickI"
Captain Barkson waited to hear no
more, but turning, ran at nce with
Classy to the house, finding Aunt Abby
grimly waiting at the front door.
The Captain went at once to the
closet indicated as holding the presum-
ing thief and robber, and opened wide
the door, disclosing the laughing face
of Frank Whitcombi
swell, of all things on the earthr' ex-
claimed Aunt Abby, when at last she
grasped the situation.
The liberal s.thief'' told his story in a
moment of time, and Classy with burn
ing cheeks invited the gentlemen Ia
stay and partake of the b%ounteous sup
ply of good cheer, found in such 6 ludi-
crous ann
But Captain Barkson declared the
young. folks were waiting his appear
ance at home, so bidding all a cordial
goodnight, he flung back the laughing
assurance:
you'll never hear a word of this
scrape from me, friend Whitcomb; you
shall spin your W yarns on this sub
ject."
Then Mr.. Whitcomb sportively de-
clared he had been detained too long
already, and gathering up his basket
babe Classy a lingering goodnight; but
Aunt Abby followed him to the front
door, repentantly %deploring the events
of the evening.
In vain Mr.. Whitcomb assured her it
was s'all right" she had acted bravely
in defence Of herself and Miss Classy.
"You see,n she went ON apologet-
ically, 81 came upon the poor child un-
expectedly myself, and there 1 found
her all alone praying for patience, poor
little thing! that was all she could say:
Give me PATIENCE and I do say it is
shameful the way that that child is put
uponp"
..May be she will not always be put
upon," was Nh. Whitcomb's brief re.
ply.
Aunt Abby returned to the dining
room, her eyes falling at once upon the
generous viands now spread forth in
full glory.
Classy" she said, beamingly, ssthat
handsome young fellow says may be you
won't always be put upon as you are
now," and Aunt Abby's emphasis wa,
so marked and significant that Classy
blushed crimson.
Frank, Frank! where are youp"
Mrs. Whitcomb had called all ovel
the house, but no Frank was to b.
found. She was beginning to feel anx
ious at his strange disappearance, an6
the supper had been delayed fully hal
an hour when Frank quietly reappeared
and to his mothers eager questioning
he replied, his eyes fairly twinkling witt
merriment:
30, I got into a daisy of a scrape
ma. I'll tell you all about it to-mor
row."
But from that night Frank Whitcoml
was haunted continually with the mem
DRY of that '.poor little thing" wht
''could only pray for patience" So i
came to pass that one night he called
on Mr.. Blake, and after his departure
Mr.. Blake faced his wife with the abrup
announcement:
"Wife, Frank Whitcomb want
Cassy."
..What forp" demanded the unsus
picious matron. s.What in the worl,
does Frank Whitcomb want Classy forF'
"His wife, l suppose, that's what b
said"
"Why, Mr.. Blake, 1 should think!'
But it made no difference what sh
thought, some one else had to tax
care of the baby, for Aunt Abb
Thayer, upon hearing the news, whiske
Classy off to her home, and at once Sc
on foot pleasing preparations, meetin
all the expenses incurred with willing
generous hands.
But despite her amazement and dis
appointment, Mrs. Blake declared tina
things should be done decently, S
Classy returned to South Peachum t
complete arrangements, dutifully helr
ing her aunt all she could, but whe
evening came there was frequently
concert or social gathering which Cass
must attend, and never alone.
When the April buds were burstin
into full blossom there was a quiet wee
ding at the Blakes; and when anothe
Thanksgiving day anne around, oh, S
swiftly, and Frank Whitcomb declare
it was the happiest Thanksgiving of h
life, his wife replied, half tearfully:
''Well, l don't know, Frank, but
seems to me that last Thanksgiving wi
always stand forth in my memory {
the Thanksgiving season of my life.
prayed for patience and God sent lii
+ erty and a sweet, new life. Mrs. Ha
> riet 4. Cheeuer, in Golden Rule.