Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-09-30

The door, ana opening IL on Tue cndn,
cautiously whisper TO him
Be careful, father, and when open
the door come in as quickly as you can
but look round first 10 see If anyone i:
watching, as the bailiffs are here, and
have been trying 10 get in"
| cautiously unhOOk the chain, and
open the door so gingerly that father
has TO give 1t quite push before he can
get in.
''On, dad dear" cry, as kiss him
"I am so glad you are come back I've
had such an awful fright. The bsllifl
has been here, and would have got into
the house but that | was too clever fol
him." And l clap my hands, and
laugh gleefully, as | relate to nv father
the exciting events of the day; and be
calls ne his ''brave little GIRL" and ga
heroine" !" but only laughs when assure
him that the bailiff looked quite like
a gentleman.
"Well, dear" my father begins, as
we 81. down to dinner, 81 saw old Mr..
Barton, and has advised me Opay, and
settle the matter at once-in fact he
candidly told me that he thought was
in the wrong-so after dinner We will
release your friend. dare say some.
thing warm for his inside and some gol-
den ointment for the palm of his hand
will soon put matters right. Old Bar.
ton is ageing very much," my father
continues, as he reflectlyely sips his
wine. "He was very pleased TO see
me. | had quite long chat with him.
He says that his nephew, whom he in
tends to succeed him, is very clever.
He Is a fine-lookIng fellow, | should
say, Judging from his photograph. His
uncle gave me one. I've got 1t in my
pocket somewhere"
And, after searching for some time,
my father pulls out from a packet of
papers a small-sized carte-de-visite
which he hands to me. L take 1t from
him, and look at it. One glance is suf-
ficient. L dash it from me, and, bury
ing my face In my hands, cry out
''Oh, dad, dad, the bailiff ~
"Where, where. girl ?'' asks my
father, springing from his seat, and
upsetting his wine as he looks eagerly
about the room, as if expecting an am
Uuscade of County Court myrmidons.
'Oh, what shall / do 2" excla!m.
"Tell me, implore you, father. that
that is not Mr.. Barton's likeness You
are only ioking-I know you are -
and look at him pitiously.
Joking girl - he repeats. "What do
you mean3 Whose likeness do you i'm
agine it to be ~
1.-The bailifT'S-the man I've locked
up in the ruin ~
Wnew " whistles my father.
That's it, is il ? Here's pretty ket-
tie of fish You've locked up the young
lawyer from London Gentlemanly
bailif indeed Action for false i'm
prisOnment-damageS ten Thousand
pounds Well, yon are a nice young
lady-quite a heroine !"
Ny fathers eyes twinkle merrlly as
he fires off his jokes at my expense. |
do not mind his chaff, but think It too
had that he should make me go with
him to release my prisoner, as he insists
on calling him. Out into the dark We
90. linger behind, hoping that my
father will arrive at the ruin before |
do. Alas, he has no such intention,
for, calling me to him, he places my
hand under his arm and makes me
keep pace with him, while he INDUCES
in dismal fOrebOdingS as TO the cOndi-
tiOn in which my prisoner will be found.
He rings the changes on suicide and
melancholy madness. The ruin is at
last reached. The delicate ARENA OF a
fragrant cigar which salutes our nos
trils tends to remove our anxiety as to
the prisoners beng totally destitute of
comfort. Ny father pushes me towards
the door.
open it, grip he says with nelo-
dramatic sternness.
am trembling all over, but with a
great effort | manage to turn the key
and give the door feeble push | feel
the door pulled open. | dare not look.
My eyes are cast to the ground, and my
cheeks are on fire, as in scarcely audi
bic voice | say
~ am so sorry, Mr.. Barton. did
not mean To- | took you for "a
"a" 1t is too much break down
and, ANONYMOUSLY bursting into tears,
run to my father and bury my face on
his shoulder.
"There, there, my girl ~ cries my
father soothingly. He holds me to him,
and, softly patting me with one hand,
be turns TO Mr.. Barton and says, "We
must ask your forgiveness, Mr.. Barton;
and am sure you will give it when |
explain how my little girl has made a
for County Court bailiff i''-and my
father explains everything to him.
When he has finished, 1 raise my
head and, looking shyly at Mr. Barton,
say
81 am so sorry. do not know how
| could have made such a mistake.
1t was so foolish; but l was so fright
ened ~
1t would be useless to relate the many
kind things Mr.. Barton said. He emade
so many excuses for me, and was so
kind and goOd-natured, that by the time
we had reached the house | had recoy-
cred my self-posSession sufficiently to be
able TO laugh at An amusing anecdote
he related to us.
Fortunately dinner had not advanced
very far when discovered my mistake.
We made very merry party that night.
My father brought out some of his
cherished port that saw only the light
on very great occasions; and, as he in
sisted on Mr.. Barton staying all night,
and the next morning in saying Good
bye" gave him pressing invitation to
come and see US very often, l think
am justified in believing that my pris-
oner had created very favorable i'm
preston on that adamantine- fathers
heart.
Three months later. A sharp winter
has set in, and the stream is still. The
lake is frozen over, and | am sitting on
the bank while Mr.. Barton is assisting
me TO remove my skates. have been
receiving my first lesson in skating. 1t
was so pleasant Twas not at all afraid.
My teachers arm was so strong, and he
held my arms SO tightlyi
do you remember the afternoon
when locked you up?" ask as we
carry our skates into the ruin.
Remember he cries, looking me
full in the face. 81 should think | do
1t was the happiest day of my life."
Stupid little goose, that am. begin
to tremble, and my foolish cheeks fash
the tell-tale colour. The skates fall to
the ground as my hands are quickly
grasped and my prisoner makes me cap
tive. try to release myself, but my
af f.r~e-