Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-04-16
MY F00TSTOOL.

My brother gave his work final polish
and then viewed the valuable articles APP
provingl ly before placing them in their
softly-padded case.
"Think they look well, little woman!"
he asked.
81 think they do, indeed, " answered,
in unqualified admiration, for Ted was
capital workman, and had mended the
pretty trinketS very skilfully. Il am sure
Mr.. Bailey will be pleased. The owner
herself would be puzzled to detect where
she damaged them"
Ted smiled then, as he did not intend
to take them back to the shop until the
return of his employer, which would not
be till the morrow, he deposited both the
jeweled bracelets in his customary ''non-
burglar-proof safe, y as he iokingly called
a small, strong square box which he had
fitted with lock and key, padded inside
and out, and cove ed with chintz to match
our sofa. He ma C me use this as foot
stool, saying that evil-disposed persons
would be less likely to examine it, and
many q jest he had about his placing
gems under my feet and about my being
a small person with high mind for set
my foot upon gold, and the like non
sense Dear old Ted He was so clever
at his trade and so trustworthy
that he always had more work than
he could get through. lie was very
fond of me-his poor little crippled
sister--would never let me sit too long
at my needle, and shared with me
in every possible way the little
duties Eecessitated by our humble men
age; so he and logged along very peace
| ably. We lodged in two rooms in a
quiet street on the outskirts of Bridge
pool Our landlady was kindly old
body who had known our parents long
before either Ted or found ourselves on
this worlds stage.
Having put away the bracelets safely,
my brother next packed up three or four
watches he had been busy setting to
rights and prepared to go to the shop in
Bridgepool which usually employed him.
watched him putting on his overcoat,
for the day was very cold; but he seemed
slow in his movements, and thought he
was reluctant to leave me alone; for,
though | was generally active enough,
considering my infrmity, one of my bad
spells was now on me, when, as he knew,
found moving about pain and q diff
Guilty for some days. 1t. happened, too,
that Mrs. Brown-our landIady-had
gone out for the day-a very rare oc-
currence
"Can do anything else for You be-
fore go?" he asked.
''No Ted dear, thank YOU"
'Make sure; look round and see il
everything is put handy for you," SAID
my brother, placing my crutch little
nearer.
Everything" I replied cheerfully
"And I've such lot of work to oet
through, l shall find the Afternoon
short"
Il don't half like your being left alone
so long: for | may not be back before
five" F" said Ted, eyeing me obviously
"Cousin Milly would come round if
asked her."
eyes, and bring her baby, who would
hinder my work sadly. | don't like
babies when Pm busy. Go away, Ted
you dear old fellow. Don't bother about
me; | shall be all right"
"Well bye-bye, little woman" hC
said, stopping to kiss me; 'I'll be hone
as soon as | can. And Bessie, he added
pausing in the doorway, ''be sure yot
don't touch the window to-day. Thc
sash line snapped this morning; mus
send carpenter to see to it. You vii
remembers"
promised that I would and m,
brother departed. hoard him 90 dow
stairs and shut the street door. At frs
the unusual quiet of the house wa
rather depre ssing; but soon becam
too much engrossed in sewing to pay at
tention to that, and stitched away busil,
at some things | was completing for
lady who was kind enough TO praise m,
needlework, preferring it, us many other
did, to machine-stitche articles. Pres
entity | thought l heard slight nois
downstairs, like the opening of win
dow; but, as all remained quiet after
ward, | put it down to my imagination
and went on TRANQUILITY with my work
After some time | was startled to hear
step, thy but distinctly audible, OF
the landing outside, while under tn
door appeared the shadow of some on
moving.
Perhaps Mrs. Brown has returned,
was the thought in my mind as | sat gaz
ing at the door; but then | turned CO..
with fear, for the handle was turnet
softly, and strange man looked in
young man with pallid, greasy leerin
face, ornamented by thievish-lookiD
twist of lair on each side, while lin
cap of semi-military cut was stuck raj,
ishly on the side of his head. | notice
the details mechanically as / sat petr
fed with surprise and fright and | ais
noticed that his long dirty neck WI
without tie or collar shabby frock Goa
being buttoncd upt his chin, and thu
his dirtier hands sported more than on
ring
This individual, after darling swi
! glance round the room, slipped in an
locked the door, saving:
"Sck2 Popsy- don't be frigh
ened Pm going to hurt you-not
bit of it But. you see---Stop that |
he growled; for as he approached me,
recovered myself little and gave a goo
loud scream.
Ol1iclx no thouoht he had his han