Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-12-11
THE EVENING GALL

Nt i've Ill llc Tar " tSl, III llltlC
settlement called Siam Town.
My grandfather was named Ozas
Steel. and as he WIS il deacon in the
church, he generally received that title.
| | was c,llcd the deacon'S little Becky.
| Was Iorn in Maine, but when my pa
rents died ...y grandfather CROSSED the
continent, and brought me back with
him. EI4 carried me all The way in IA
| fat basket, filled with cotton batting,
| which ht held on his knees. He often
told me how he walked into the hotels
or tavrrns where he stopped with me-
for luggage, and how much interest |
excited, was only three months old,
and found a mother at every resting
| place. Since thea he had been all to
me, and as remembered nothing else,
| was perfectly happy. AT sixteen, l
had my schooling, and had settled down
to be h0usekeeper, under the tuition Of
our one servant, Sally Wells.
1t was IA still night following beau
tiful day. As sat at my wiadow |
could hear all the insect voices hard at
wurk-cricket, katydid and locust and
the queer little toad Away in the
heart of the cid woods scr~ach owl
was hooting Down in the town the
bells we're ringing for evening meeting,
which they held on Wednesday.
Grandfather had gone to church.
He had taken old Widow Glennings
and her daughter with him, and the
buggy would hold no more. So stay
ed at home. Sally had gone to get
some yeast cakes at the store, and was
alone. didn't mind it. had meyer
known what 1t was to be afraid Of soli-
tuIe, though a crowd would haYe
frightened me-
The room was our sitting room. 1t
was early in October aud the windows
were open, Int there was little log
fire on the hearth.
A lamp, with green paper shade,
decorated by design representing
three little kittens eating pound cake
stood on the table near t my work
basket. The chairs had rushbott0ms,
with the exception of two B ,stOn rock
lug chairs, with chintZ cushions an
engraving of the Battle Of Bunker Hill,
a portrait of Washington, and some
family photographs hung on the wall,
which was covered with pale grey
paper with pink fl1wer upon it. A
clock ano two vases stood on the man
tle-piecp, rag carpet was on the floor,
and secretary and book Case cOmbin-
ed filled one recess. We had best
parlnr, which WAS busted every Satur-
day, but we never thought of using it.
l felt very lazy that evening, and
though | had very pretty sort of tape
trimming. had no desire to take it up.
looked at the stars that twInkled and
shOne SO brightly; at the splendid plan
ct shining over the distant mountain
peak. | hard bro k bubbling in tn
hollow, ,and fancied after awhile, when
the church bells had done ringing, that
heard some unusual sounds, mems
voices calling to each other far away
aud saw lights now and then in the
fringe of woods that covered the hill.
Belated drovers, perhaps, urging their
cattle on to safe stopping place, or
wood cutters who intended to camp out
t. be ready for work in the morning.
AS looked at the bright dots moving
to and fro, | heard another sound lear
at hand-crunching of feet on the
stony road ,and looking toward the gate
| saw man open it and hurry in, and
come up to the door. l was not sur
prsed that he opened it without knock
ing, for people were not ceremonious
there. but felt a little startled when |
saw that he was stranger. He was
out Of breath as though he had been
running. His face WAS damp with per-
spiration, his clothes, which were good
otherwise, were torn, as though he had
made his way through thorny bushes,
and it Was evident that he was listen
ing intently. l, too, heard something
what, | hardly knew.
AS soon as he could do so he spoke.
"Are you all alone in the house,
young lady ?" he said.
"Yes - answered.
For Gods sake tell me where I can
hide - he said. The lynchers are af
ter me.'
knew what he meant. | knew too.
that men were only lyuched fOI fear
fnl crimes; but had ii woman's heart
Whatever he had done, he asked my
help.
Yet where cOnld he hide +? There
were FIVE rooms in tie house each ha
a small cupboard. There was no exit
to the roof, no secret closets, no large
furniture, and I heard them coming
Suddenly thought struck me.
"Go into that room," | said. "Do
not shut the door. Get into the bed
you see there and tie the handkerchief