Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-01-30
AN HOUR OF PERIL,

If you please, ma'am,' said Betsy
the help. presenting herself in the
doorway, with her arms dripping with
soap-suds, and her calico skirts fcs-
tooned about her spare form in way
that Worth wouldnever have imagined,
"therc's an insane man in the barn"
had Just seated myself down to my
morning task Of coloring a cluster Of
bluo harebells, which Donald had
brought in. a trophy of his before
breakfast walk up the mountain. Baby
was sweetly sleeping; Tommy and lit
tie Donald were fishing for minnows
in the meadow stream, and w&s heart
lily congratulating myself upon tho
success of my idea of renting a noun
tain cottage for the sultry summer
months.
"a WHAT" gaspcd.
".An insane nan, ma'am," said Betsy.
"Leastways, that's what Deacon Gals-
ly shouted as he was gallopin' by on
horseback, to catch the down train
holerin' good and loud, as he's aware
amt quick o hearin', Tell your mis-
sis says he, to call the children in :;
there's an insane man in the barn
says he"
"But, Betsy" cried |, Involuntary
clutching at the baby's crib, it can't
be possible :"
"That's what Deacon Gadsly said,
ma'am, and I'll take my Bible oath to
it." said Betsy, nodding her head with
a countenanco expressive of entire con-
viction,
"Then why didn't he come to our
help" I cried, wringing NY hands
helplassly.
"Don't know, ma'ani," said Betsy,
"unless it was because the mail-train,
like time and tide in the Spellin' book,
waits for no man.
"But what are we TO lo?' | almost
sobbed, my courage and presence Of
mind nearly desertlng Inc as Ipictured
to myself the horrible vision Of lu-
natic dancing about among the hatch
cts, scythcs and hay-cutters in the
barn.
Don't know, !!la'am,' said Betsy,
viewing me with sort of mild c'n-
tempt, as one of the city ladies' who
become powerless under the presence
of any sudden emergency "unless You
call in the boys and lock the barn
doors as quick as possible
looked appealingly at Betsy.
Betsy said /. "would you mind
locking the barn doors, like dear,
good soul. while | run after Donald and
Tommy"
Betsy cleared ner throat enphatically.
"NOt if ! know it, maam" said she.
81 hain't no more Partially than other
folks for crazy people. Ny Uncle was
assistant keeper in lunatic asylum,
and he was choked to death by one Of
the patients. And | don't mean that
sort of thing shalt run in the family,
ma'am, not if can help it,"
"Then, cried ], driven to sudden re-
solve, "stay here with the baby, Bet
sy--dOn' leave her for your life,--whilc
T 60 after the boys. Good Heaven, If
the wretch should be attacking my
poor children now"
With almost supcrhuman speed |
ran down along the edge of the woods,
seized Tommy and Donald each by one
hand, and dragged them home, not even
stopping to explain matters to their be.
wildercd little ears.
"Comc, children, come" painted.
ooh, do make haste We must get
back to the house immediately"
"But I've left my fshing-hool, man.
ma" pleaded Donald, with u longing,
lingering look over his shoulder.
Cant we stop in the barn, NAM
map cried Tommy, "to see if Mr.
Jones has sent the cosset lamb he prom.
ised us?'
"Chlldren," sail. l pausing t. regain
my breath, "Nt your peril keep away
from the barn. There Is u crazy man
there. Heaven only knows what vio-