Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-09-16

piecesI''
: Mr.. Cobblcsbury reached out slcepily
and turned the revolver around. 1t
was now aimed directly toward her,
but. fortunately, Mrs. Cobblesbury
lacked the power of seeing In the dark
ness. and was comforted.
Several hours later. Mr.. Cobbles-
bury awokc from thrilling dream in
which he had killed seven burglars sin
gle-handed and was wading about in
human gore. He awoke with a vio-
lent start and for moment was hardly
able to decide whether he was still
dreaming or not just as he arrived
J at the satisfactory conclusion that he
/ was thoroughly awake, tremendous
crash down stairs came to his ears.
Rising in high state Of excitement
Mr.. Cobblesbury grasped the barrel of
his revolver and felt his way cautiously
along to the door. his heart beating in
most reprehensible manner. Unfortu-
nately, as he gained the doorway. he
stumbled over some object and struck
the floor with shock like an amateur
earthquake. Mrs. Cobblesbury had
thoughtfully placed a chair against the
door to impede the progress Of the noe
tnrnal providers. The noise awakened
her, and he could hear her muffied
voice, from beneath the sheets, Shrek
ing: Samuel! Samuel! the burglars
are herev
$50 am l." grunted Mr.. Cobbles-
bury. rubbing his injured foot, absent
mindedly, with the butt of his revolt
yer, on which he had maintained des-
perate hold.
"Have you caught themp" cries Mrs.
Cobblesbury. lis it safe for me to get
upP"
"Stay where you are, and don't
move" said Mr.. Cobblesbury, as he
limped into the hall, shvening with
cold and excitement. He was not
afraid, but nevertheless began to feel
willingness to let the burglars depart
peaceably. so he Strengthened up by
the stairway, and yelled at the top of
his voice:
"rll give you two minutes to leave
the house! We are all armed to the
teeth! Turn the night latch and run
out of the front door If YOU value your
livesl'
Mr.. Cobblesbury could not help con-
graduating himself afterward when he
remembered having made this speech.
There was no answer but a flash of
| light in the hall attracted his attention,
and Charles Simon. Marmaduke, and
Miss Emeline, all half dressed, appear
ed on the scene.
Where are theyP" cried Charles
Simon and Marmaduke in breath, one
brandishing a revolver and'the other a
razor.
Down stairs;' said Mr.. Cobbles bury
in theatrical whisper.
"Emeline, this is no place for you."
said Charles SIMON. taking the light
| from her hand. You know / have
learned everything at college, and
know all about snch things. Now. you
| Just 90 and get under the bed in moth
er's room, aud don't let the twins make
single peep till call you"
But the burglars may come in and
chloroform us" objected Miss Emeline.
al have read of such things in the
newspapers.
"Hushr' said Mr.. Cobblesbury.
"You all talk too loud"
Miss Emclinc vanished and was heard
barricading the door. Mr.. Cobblesbury
then said that Marmaduke must 90 for
policeman.
Marmaduke objected dec dedly and
begged to be allowed to live little
longer.
III will go" said Charles SIMON.
But it would never do to 90 down.
stairs among the burglars, and Mr..
Cobblesbury looked perplexed.
II will swing myself out of the win
Al. Il -
the kitchen. and cl NIB down the grape
arbor." said Charles Simon. 81
learned that at college"
Accordingly Mr.. Cobblesbury and
| Marmaduke lowered Charles Simon
from the opened window to the roof be-
low; and he agreed to give three
| whistles when he returned with the
police.
Mr.. Cobblesbury then sat down on
the top stair with his revolver pointed
below, and Marmaduke crouched be-
side him with the lamp. 1t was very
chilly on the top stair.
| "Say, En-" shouted Marmaduke at
length, ''give us a blanket; we're
freezin'r'
Several repetitions of this resulted in
| the door being opened few inches and
| the required blanket was slipped out
Mr.. Cobblesbury and Marmaduke ac-
cordingly wrapped themselves up in
aboriginal fashion and waited.
Il declare said Mr.. Cobblesbury,
"if Charles Simon doesn't return be-
fore long shall go back to bed again. :"
At this moment a tremendous racket
occurred outside, which eliminated in
a violent ringing of the door bell and
loud cries i'm Charles Simon's voice.
II tell you 1 amt burglar" shout
ed Charles Simon without. You let
me be! Pa, open the door"
They are numbering Charles"
shrieked Mrs. Cobblesbury from the
inner room. and Mr.. Cobblesbury,
dragging the half frozen, badly fright
ened Marmaduke after him, ran down
stairs and unlocked the door.
II am coming. my sonr' yelled Mr..
Cobblesbury. "Hold 'em off a minute
longerr'
When the door was opened, however.
the three policemen who had Charles
Simon in custody had realized that he
was not burglar and released him.
As soon as they understood the state of
affairs they accompanied Mr.. Cobbles-
bury, Charles Simon and Marmaduke
through the house on tour of inspec-
ton with dark lantern. At the din
ing room door they halted. A noise
was plainly heard within. I'VE have
Them" said one of the policemen, and
he shut the door in great hurry. He
then gave an order TO the other two