The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-25
"who9" persisted Reuben. "what

'Who9" persisted Reuben. "what
ches ?''
''The burglarr' said Dotty. He's in the
old chest upsla airs. | tipped him into it.
Aud, OH | was so afraid aiterward that he
would suff bcaie To dea b. because he was SO
silll tor minute or two!'
'Astonished, maybe," suggested Miles
Rnggles under his breath. 81 should a-been
l know"
''But when he began to kick" said Dotty.
with a llttle gaspng breath, land swear,
knew he was all right"
81 should think sop said Reuben, with
lowering brow. ''How did the villain get in,
Dotly2"
"I-left all the doors open," confessed
Dot;y, with conscience-strieken air. Aunt
Themis told me not To; but thought there
was no harm. And had hardly got up
stairs, when he came shutting up, and [
S,w tie ODD silver milk jug in his pocket.
He wanted old clothes: ani 1 told him we
had some in the chest; and when he bent over
to look, just pushe1 him in"
''B ave litle heroineP' laid Rankin.
And locked i: tight" nodded Deity.
"Fhe best hing you could have done,n
declared Reuben admirngly.
J,Tusa emf com menJed Miles Ruggles,
smiling the XII chen table with one horny
palm.
So up they proceeded in solid phalaux,
and released the velveteeu captive, who was
very sulen and completely bathed with
persplration, i'll consequence of the vain eff
forts he had made to ger free
Gomez roared Reuben, who was young
giant Of six feet odd inches, aud broad pro.
portion ately, as the miserable prisoner
scrambled out and stood covering before
them, what ale you doing here?''
"Oid clothes in exchange for china vases,n
he family stammered.
Then what are you doing with our silver
milk pitcher and ten forks in your coat
pockets?" demanded Reuben.
''And what the Jerusalem business hey
you a-prowfin' round and scarin' the women
foks?' said Miles Ruggles, coming valiantIy
to the font. Here, RANKIN, I'll get up
the old oue-hoss wagon-your mas got the
shay-an' cart the felier off TO Ju>tice GILL;
lands. He'll settle him in quick time, |
tell We what. Jest tie the feiler's hands.
and make him all shipshape. That's all I'll
ask of yoU.''
So the sinister scoundrel in black velve-
teen was borne unceremoniously off by
stout Miles Rugges, as the first stage toward
a TWO years captivity in the nearest S ate's
prison; and Dotty was relieved of the incu-
bus of his presence.
First she laughed at Rankin's idea that
she was heroine, aud then she cried and
shuddered at her vivid perception of the ter
rOr she had endured.
But, Reuben and Rankin" she said.
"yon must promise-solemnly now-never
10 tell Aunt Themis that l disobeyed her
and left the door open.''
And the two young men bound themselves
solemnly ever to keep the VOW of eternal ST.
lence upon the subject.
Since there is really no harm done" said
Reuben, laughing.
Except Dotiy's fright" said Rankin,
quite seriously.
30 the chicken frieassee was made, and
the vani a putfs; but the ice cream was post
poned indefinitely, and the chocolate cake
remained forever disemhodied ideal Aud
1t took the two young men all the afternoon
to console Dotty.
And when Aunt rhemis came home. full
of the preacher, and the brethren, and the
camp meeting, they all listened in dutifu
silence, and she never once mistrused that
anything had happened.
But I'm sure" whispered Dotty to Ran
kin, when they went out together to get a
pail of spring water. sit will ALWAYS be a
lesson in obedience to me.''