Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-03-27
A MIDNIGHT CALL.

Last summer lived ON the ontskirts
of the iowa, where could keep chick
ems and not have them roosting in the
bedroom window of my next door
neighnor. Therefore kept them
not for prolit--but for the pleasure of
having my garden seeds scratched up
every morning before sunrise it was
good exercise to plant hem over every
day, you know.
One night about half-past eleven
O'Clock, was gently aroused from my
peaceful slumbers, by the blunt end of
Mrs. Acker's left elbow seeking for my
short ribs, with mellihuous voice sound.
ing in my ear
"Wake mp Wake up Some one is
stealing our chickens !"
slid out upon the floor in the dark,
and reached for my clothing. In my
haste | hoped and AIundered around,
Ike a shark on dry land, upSetting the
wash-pitcher and bOwl-one taking 9
carr9m on my best corn, and the other
dropping gracefully upon tie top of my
boot, making IA trout.pond of the inter
for. After tumbling over chair,
wash-stand, towel-rack, etc, sat down
on the floor-not through any desire of
nv own--but because of the tangled
condition of my wearing gear and legs
Soon, however, had myself in condi-
ton to sally forth-minus boots ac-
eompanird by my shotgun.
The night was dIrker than the mind
Of the most benighted heather, and |
groped my way along as quietly as p1s-
sible, hoping to surprise the stealer Of
fowls.
All of a sudden | stretched myself al
full length upon the ground, and began
to murmur, soft and low, little arti-
Gle of prose, which ARISES irresistibly
to my mind at times. While repeat
ing the words, | took my left foot in
both hands, and detached a piece OF
glass from the heel of my stocking.
Mrs. Acker came rushing out, and
began to urge some one not to kill me,
but take The chickens in welcome. So
much interested was J, in repeating
the little story, that l may have heen
somewhat abrupt in my remarks to her
for she closed the door with a bang,
after saying
Il don't care ii you do get murder
el and the chickens stolen, too . 50
there -
This reply arousing my ire, l sprung
up and rushed in the direction Of the
Een-house, urged on by the loud clam
or Of the hen community.
In my hurried progress l encounter
ed The dog-hennel, upset it, aud sought
the bosom of mother earth sprung up
again, with the dog fastened to my
trousers tried to coax him into the
belief that | was his master, by per-
suasively using the butt end Of my
gun succeeded in tearing loose, after
he had gone the length of his chain,
and frally reached The door of the hen
house.
cooked my gun, opened the door,
and, in my most commanding tone, or
dered the thief to come out and be
shot.
Ireceived no reply, save monoton-
Gus "sQuawk squawk squawk -
| became bold, stepped inside the
door, closed it, and determined to have
revenge for my mishaps.
struck a match. and saw-the old
rooster dangling, head down ward, from
the perch-having slipped his foot
through a small knot-hole. lost his bal
ance in his struggles, and now being
unable to extricate himself.
returned TO the house, repeating
my little prose lesson, put court plas-
ter on my heel, AID retired.
In the morning | serenely watched
Mrs. Acker obliterate Towser's trade
mark from my pantalo9us.