Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-07-03
RINGING A DOOR BELL.

h1NUANU a UOOh- BELLE
Belvidere Street was favorite haunt
Of TIE boys on moonlight summer nights,
whether for play or mischief.
Low-branched elms and lindens stood
on each side, casting deep shadows
which coutrasted with the white walls
and piazzas of the houses, and afforded
the youngsters convenient retreat
from the observation of persons upon
whom they yentured to play off mis-
chievous tricks. Sometimes they would
tie strings across the pavement and trip
up some young spark escorting lady
home from concert; or cover q rock
with tattered straw hat, and laugh to
see some old gentleman try to kick it
out of his way, and then, hop around on
his bruised toes, growing angrily at
''those rascals of boys and again they
would hide behind the tree-trunks and
timid old ladies coming home from
evening prayer-meeting.
It was thus that they had been anus
ing themselves on one particular July
evening, when Phil Hampton, bright
looking boy OF fourteen, suddenly ex-
claimed: afs
s.There goes old Foiger to roost.
That's his light in the window over
there. He's an early bird; goes to bed
at half-past eight sharp, and gets up at
six in the morning.
THAT'S the way he. catches all the
worms y said another. ..He's one of
the richest men in town, as well as the
meanest. It was he that threw my new
baseball into the river. Just because it
happened to fall into his yard. I owe
him one for that"
..Let's pay him off now. Let's ring
his door-bell." bss.9.a
This proposition was received with a
grin of delight, only Will Hart remark
ing;
Mr.. Folger. He's as sharp as a fox, and
always knows how to turn the tables
upon one.''
s.Who's afraid?" said Phil defiantly.
.I'll ring the bell myself, if none of you
will. Won't it be fur to see HIM poke
his head out of the window, and halloo:
WHO'S therep' or open the door and
search round the house in his dressing
gown? But say, boys, mind you keep
quiet. and leave this tree-trunk for me
when run back
Crossing the street, he cautiously I'M
.latehed Lawyer Folger's little 'front.'
garden gate, and, leaving it open to
facilitate his retreat, assembled the steps
on tip-toe and gave a sharp ring at the
door-bell. Then he dashed swiftly
back to the cover of the linden shade,
where they all stood stiff and motion
less behind the trunks to observe Mr..
Folger's proceedings.
Some moments elapsed, but the door
was not opened, nor even the window
raised.
.sHe didn't hear,' said one of the
boys. $50 back, Phil, and ring again.
Give him q rouser this time.
Phil retraced his steps, and, selling
the bell-handle, gave a loud, resound-
ing peal which rang through the house
and could be heard across the street.
And, then, in a spirit of mischief, he
rang again, a still more startling
alarm, and instantly turned-to feel q
firm grip on his shoulder and find him
self face to face with Mr.. Folger, who
had just come in at the gate. They
had been mistaken in supposing the
light in the window to be his. It was
only servant arranging the room for
her master.
a.. So.'' said the old gentleman, turn
ing his prisoner round in the moon
highland peering into his face. 80!
I've caught you, have I?''
Phil was cool II an emergency, and
generally quick -Witted. So, now, after
the first shock. an idea occurred 10 him
of how he,might get out Of this acrape.
Looking up into the face OF bis cap
tor, he said: -
] Please. sir, does Doos0r- Doctor
He hsd mentioned the first name that
Mr.. Folger peered sharply into his
face, with hfs<k keen. black seYes.
:. So You are looking Tor doctor
are your Somebody aiclr -hey
yes, sir,v answered Che boy;
consoling himself with the thought that
he was not telling an untruth alter all,
since he had heard his mother remark
at breakfast that she did not feel well.
''Let me see. II think, I've seen
you before, somewhere. What's your
namepn inquired MIR. Folger, still firm
" grasping his arm.
Philip hesitated.
He was not by any means an uftruth-
full boy; but he felt very unwilling to
have Mr.. Foiger find out who he was.
So he again uttered the first name that
occurred to him, and which happened to
be one that he was accustomed to See
on shoemaker's sign around the corr
suer. a. 80
..Peter Grubbs. y
"Ah! Well, Peter. since yo6 are Ia
such a hurry, aud no d0nbt anxicn9
about this poor, sick person. will my9eH
show you to Doctor Srnith's house. lt
is no great distance from here.
And, to the boys dismay, Mr.. Folger'
led him down tho steps and up the
street, while, on the opposite side,s q
group of shadowy figures stealthiy
Kept pace with them, and sonce the
sound Of. suppressed giggle distinctly
reached Philips ear.
u He began to feel very uneasy sand
FESTIVE under that firm clutch upon his
arm, and was just thinking or breaking
loose and running of, when they
stopped at the door of a house where
the name of Doctor Smith shone In gilt
letters on sign-board.
Before Phil could make up his mind
what to do, Mr.. Folger had rung the
bell, and the door was Immediately
opened by pleasant eoking gentle
nan in spectacles. s - 4 8
..Ah, doctor, = said NJ Fol a am
glad to find You at home. q q 1pys
Young friend, Master Pete7 IBIS no
saws he knows some one who very III
and who, In his anxiety 70 find
lust now rang my door bell rs thoukh Il
had been 4 ire alarm. Consid the
apparent urgency aof the cdse. have
myself brought him to You.