Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-03-17


cut was stuck rakishly on the side OF
his head.
I noticed these details mechanically
as I sat petrifed with surprise and
fright, and I also noticed that his long
dirty neck was without tie or. collar,
ashabby frock coat being buttoned up
to his chin, and that his dirtier hands
sported more than one ring.
This individual, after darling a swift
glance around the room, slipped in
and locked the door, saying:
"SIickl Popsy-wopsy, don't be
frightened Pm not going to hurt you
not a bit of it! But, you see.
Stop thatl" he growled; for, as he APP
preached me, | recovered myself a lit
tie, and gave good loud scream.
Quick as thought he had his hand
over my mouth, holding my chin and
nose IN such q manner that was near
ly suffocated; then hegave me a shake,
saying
"If you do that again, I'll pay you
out, you littlefool There-she is going
to be nice and quiet now, amt she?
A picter of good behavior, [ calls
herW
Talking thus, he gagged me dexter
ously with some of my wOrk-whlch,
however, was pleasanter than his
hand-ugh, that grimy hand-on my
mouth, and then, producing somecord
from his pocket, in g. minute or two |
was-poor little feeble thing bound
hand and foot in my chair.
He grinned at me as he remarked:
"Now you know, ducky, | wouldn't
have served you SO if you'd had the
sense to keep quiet. / never could
abear to be rough to the ladies-never
But time is short, and you might
have been hard to persuade; so, per-
haps, it is the best way, after ALL"
While speaking thus the fippant
rascal kept running his eyes around
our neat little room. read disdain
in his glance and at that moment q
suspicion darted into my mind that
he had come with the object of steal
ing some of Ted's work-perhaps the
ieweled bracelets which then were un-
der my feet. With this thought there
came to me firm resolve to save my
brother such a loss, ifIpossibly could;
ay, even though had to endure tor
lures, l would not speak. | set my
teeth hard and watched the man.
His wandering chances soon reverted
to me.
'Look here, dear, if 1 loosen this
cloth a bit, and you take breath, will
you speak to me nicely? Only don't
scream again. 1t makes me quite
nervous to hear you scream, and can't
do you no good" How we'll I knew
that, in back room in quiet street!
"There, aims it much more comforta-
BILE "-loosening the cloth. "Tell me
now, popsy, your brothers got some
vallybles here, amt he?"
| shook my head.
ooh, but he has, so you needn't jog
your noodle like that. Better tell me
where he's put them. 1t will save lots
of time, and be more pleasant for
you"
But only shook my head the
more.
s'Did you ever see such stubborn
ness?" muttered the fellow, tying up
my mouth again. 81 am afeerd I shall
have to make you speak directly.
But l never like to be unkind to the
ladies, unless they drive me 20 it-oh,
never!"
Saying this he began an examination
of the apartment, proceeding in what,
as | suppose, would be described by
professional" as the "best style;"
anyway his movements were charac-
terized by extraordinary celebrity.
Within few minutes he had gone to
the bottom of every drawer and box
in the room, and also turned out the
sofa bedstead where Ted slept at
night. A pretty litter he made of it
all! But he had not yet discovered the
secret of my footstool. Can any one
imagine what | endured while I sat
there, helpless as poor little Chinese
''ioss,' the cold perspiration of fear
on my forehead, while asked myself:
"What will the fellow do next?"
He turned around while proceeding
with his search and, looking at me,
said:
''He!lo, Poppet, how pale you are!
Amt going to faint, are you? Oh!
don't faint, for I shall want you to
talk to me bit. I'lopen the window
and give you mouthful of fresh air.
This room is precious close"
He went to the window the win
dow which dear Ted had cautioned
me not to touch that morning-un-
fastened the catch and would have let
down the upper part; but he was saved
the trouble, for, the cord being broken,
down, quick as g. shot, came the win
dow, and, as luck would have it,
caught his eight fingers tight between
the upper and middle frames.
The pain and the shock must have
been dreadful, the. window frame be-
ing a wide and very heavy one. He
uttered a howl, then kicked frantical-
ly; but all was in vain There he
stood, with both hands held aloft,
caught in as nice trap as could have
been devised for an evil doer.
Then he glanced at me, and the sight
of me, "picter of good behavior" that
/ was, must have filled his soul with
remorse, since through his own act I
was rendered powerless to assist him.
He whined, however:
Cant you help me?"
AS it was impossible for me willingly
to look on while a fellow creature sui
tered such anguish as knew he must