The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-11-29

ton both Aunt Abby and Classy heard n
suspicious little noise in the lower hall
and as the former started quickly down
the stairs, Classy involuntarily followed
To her intense excitement Aunt Abbv
caught a glimpse Of mans form lust
entering the wide dish-closet of the
dining-room. Instantly she darted into
the room, banged to the door, and Sc
curely locked in the offender.
A mans voice at once sounded forth
in eager protest; but Aunt Abby's shrill
tones entirely drowned the mufled
sounds of the closeted man, as she
cried:
$50 quick, Classy, for some help! Get
the police; get any one. tell you we've
got a genuine robber in the house. q
genuine robber-"
Classy waited no further bidding but
rushed into the street.
When the Blakes reached Greenwood
Hill, one intelligent, laughing pair of
eyes looked inquiringIy around to espy.
if possible, theirpretty ward, Miss Cassy
Mayne. But she did not appear, much
to the watchers veXation.
This was no less a parsonage, than
Mr.. Frank Whitcomb, son and heir Of
Greenwood Hill.
The fair, dimpled face of easy
Mayne, with the curly, golden has
which would ripple in hayward 1itfSe
ringlets round her white neck and brow,
had proved an unacknowledged attrac-
ton to Frank Whitcomb for some time.
II don't care" he solloquized, ''if
they've left her shaving at home, while
Kate and Lu-not half as attractive as
she-are all dressed up and on hand on
some of the forthcoming treat" And
going to the great pantry beyond the
kitchen, he placed a mold of ice-cream
in large basket, then several kinds of
cake-frOsted, chocolate, macaroons,
cocoanut cakes, glass of jelly and
great package of nuts and confec-
tionery.
''She won't care for molasses candy"
he said, as Il shout of merry glee
sounded from the kitchen close by.
Then going with his basket to the
front door, he quietly entered the hall,
donned his coat and hat and started off
with his sweet load.
He wished, if possible. to leave the
basket without obliging Classy to thank
him, SO planned placing his card on the
top of the basket, then leaving it on the
top step, after ringing the bell.
But arrived at the house the front
door was actually aiar, and he could
see the dining-room closet door aiar
also. He had often visited at the house,
being quite 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 one
of the children had left 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
AT the croner of the street she ran
against Captain Barkson, a powerfully
built man, and a retired sea-Captain.
80, Captain Barksonn' Classy gasped
forth, there's a robber in our house,
come quickr'
Captain Barkson waited to hear no
more, but turning, ran at once 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 Whitcomb!
"Well, of all things on the earth!n ex-
claimed Aunt Abby, when at last she
grasped the situation.
The liberal thief told his story in a
moment of time, and Classy with burn
ing cheeks invited the gentlemen to
stay and partake of the bounteous sup
ply of good cheer, found in such ludi-
crOus manner.
But Captain Barkson declared the
young folks were waiting his appear
ance at home, 50 bidding all a cordial
goodnight, he flung back the laughing
assurances:
you'll never hear a word of this
scrape from me, friend Whitcomb; you
shall spin your own 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 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 ''all right, she had acted bravely
in defence Of herself and Miss Classy.
you see," she went on apologet-
ically, 81 came upon the poor child I'M
expectedly myself, and there | found
her all alone praying for patience, poor
little thing. that was all she could say
Give me patience; and | do say it is
shameful the way that that child is put
upon?"
MAY be she will not always be put
upon" was Mr. 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.