West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-02-29

Then the women held a long and Anx-
ious consultation, neither trying this
time 20 conceal her fears. There was
no use in waking Tidy, who would only
add 10 the panic by rousing the sleep
ing children. Dreadful rs il seemed
the only alternative was to call for help.
30 they crept upstairs, and. thrusting
their heads out of the windows. they
both yelled Ike Indians: 4" MURDER
Fire" "ThieYes" Help" klas.
their only neighbor was a mile OF. and
deaf at that, and echo only answered.
They descended and waited. Not only
did the noise continue. but they dis
tinctly saw the knob turn. They had
begun TO barricade the door. when Til
dy appeared Miss Jones afterwards
told me that Tildy's black eyes cleaned
out OF her white face. like the eyes of
the brothers of the Misericordia,"
from behind their masks.
Just then the baby lifted up his voice.
My wife hurried to the nursery, and
had only succeeded in reducing his
shrieks TO a simple whine, when Tidy
uttered bloodcurdling cry:
Teddy is gomez
Satisfied that il was too true. FANNY
took up the alarm with variations: INV
boy is gone! They have stolen my
Ieddy!' As near as | have been able
to get at the facts, the uproar inside had
r.sen to its height. when mullled
pounding took the place of the tinker
ing sound which had so long been
kept up.
The loss of her child now seemed to
rouse my wife TO heroism. She be-
thought herself of my pistols which she
could never before be persuaded to han
die. Calling loudly: al warn whoever
Is tampering with that door that | am
going TO shoot" she pulled the trigger.
and almost dropped the weapon at the
report. Tidy says that she and Miss
Jones put their fingers i'm their ears;
hut poor Fan hadn't the chance.
Another shot, and another, until the six
barrels were emptied then all was still.
Hank. Tidy! What was that?'
whispered Fanny, clutching the woman
for support.
Somebody was coming. Was it
friend or foeP They listened. Straight
up the walk, up the steps, along the
piazza the footsteps came and stopped
mt the very door which had been so
bgavely defended. The women now
gaZed ut each other helpleSsly.
Hello, Fan, What is the matter?
Open the door, | shouted, for was
alarmed to find the household astir at
that hour.
As the door few open | struck my
foot against little heap of clothes
tightly wedged into the lamb outside.
'Oh, George! Our boy is gone!
Teddy has been carried off by burglars!"
sobbed my wife.
Why, no he hasn't, Fanny. Here
he isl! and picked up the little fellow
from the floor.
You little lamb cooed his mother,
taking him from me and covering him
with kisses. "D.d the naughty man
steal mamma bovP"
Teddy did see no man. only papa"
replied the astonished child.
why, my blessing! Then who did
take You out of your little crib and
carry you oifP''
Nobody took me. Teddy go out on
the porch to get II drink of water, and
mamma say: Shut that door!' so
Teddy can t come in again"
''Did you unlock the door and 90 ont
alone, dear?'' | now interposed.
Yes, Teddy open door, but mamma
say; No, mo- Then naughty people
make big noise and scare Teddy
Then what" coaxed Tidy.
Then mamma play with papa's pis-
tol. Papa told mamma not to touch
he added, severely.
Then came, lust in time to spoil
the fun. Eth, FanP' | said, laughing.
But my vile was moi i'm the humor
Tor joking. She sat crying over her
child for long while without speaking
she asked: George. how did
you happen TO come home, after ALP"
''O, had variety of reasons: but
the principal one was | was homesick
Tor the country. - Chicago Iribune.