Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-03-26

ford with prophetic JUNCTION. II told
you how it would be all along, lothian.
but We wouldn't listen to mel I'm
woman. and women amt worth pawn
no 'tention tot
But don't see what it is they're
arter!" honest lothian cried, scratch
ing the bristly black curls of his round
pate. anyhow, III send ove~ for
Deacon Donley's two sons and Joseph
Packer, and wen give them a good
old-fashioned welcome, let them come
how and when they may. You say
there are only two OF EN-, Miss Oliye?''
II only heard two of them talking, =
said Olive, "but there may have been
dozen for what / know. y
II guess we can manage en- said
hopeful lothian, taking down the gun
from its two hooks over the stone chim-
ney piece and beginning leisurely to in
spect it 'sForewarned is forearmed,
they say. and I've al'ays found there
was good deal O. solid truth in them
old proverbs my gran Their used to
quoter'
Evidently there was no sleep for the
Jaynesford family that night. All
hands silently made their arrangements
for vigil
I've must kindle up the fire and put
out the lights, as usual, at 8. O'clock
said lothian.
Father" pleaded little Bessie, s.can
bring my two pet lambs in out of the
shed?n
Nonsense, child, nonsense said
lothian. But he did not further OBJ
ject, and Bessie made bed for the two
pets in the shaving basket in the corn
er OF the roomy old kitchen, greatly to
their mutual content:
Mrs. Jaynesford sat knitting gloom
lily; if she had been told that the world
was coming to an end within the next
twenty-four hours, she would still have
taken up her knitting and Olive and
Bessie nestled close to her side, while
lothian paced thoughtfully upand down
the floor, waiting for the arrival of the
auxiliaries for whom he had already
dispatched a messenger. The clock
had just struck s, when a brisk knock
came to the door--every one of the
family started as if the simple sound
had been a trumpet Of doom.
Don't open the door, Jotham!n
gasped Mrs. Jaynesford, but lothian
drew back the bolt nevertheless.
ats some neighbour said he. "Wy,
Jim Ellison and Jake Bleeker I'm
right down glad to see We! Bessie,
run right downstairs, an draw a
pitcher of cider, and bring up some o.
mothers fresh doughnutsr'
As the visitors returned their hosts
cordial greeting, Olive uttered loud
cry:
1.-The men-the men heard talking
by the spring' she gasped feebly.
..Oh, Mr.. Jaynesford, turn them from
your door--they are robbers and MUIR
derers!''
''Eh" cried lothian. Jim and Jake
robbers and murderers | guess not.
Miss Olive
LET them answer for themselves
cried Olive Historically. ..What bloody
deed is it from which one of them re-
coiled, but which the other said would
soon be over?' What was the plot to
gain secret admittance through the
shed door? WHAT
The taller and stouter of the two
strangers shook with peal after peal of
noiseless laughter.
I'LL tell We what twas. Miss, before
the little gal comes back" he said, in
the gruff, husky voice that had so terri
fed Olive Morrison by the twilight
spring. II said then twas an ugly
job, and won't say no less now. Jaynes-
ford, he sold me them lambs O his
little gals drive meat cart, Miss
and he told me TO come on the sly and
get 'em away, for she was dredful fond
ov EN-. So when we come tonight,
and found they wasn't in the outshed,
says to Jake Blocker, says L: We've
jes' got to go an ask up an down for
emf SO Knocked, an here we be. y
''Is that all?' sighed Olive, with a
face of inexpressible relief. .sOh,
have been terrified.
And she broke into hysteric laughter,
while Mrs. Jaynesford sat by, half dis
appointed that there had been no NOR
tai peril after ALL
So faded away the only appearance
OF danger that molested the quiet west
ern vale, and that was the last the
Jaynesford family ever heard of rob-
bers, burglars, and murderers.
But Mrs. Jaynesford has bought
big box-lock, and affixed it to the shed
door. and takes great delight in cere-
moniously locking it every night of her
life.
You can't be too carefulp' says Mrs.
Jaynesford.