Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-07-30
MY FOOTSTOOL.
The story Of 1.-THE Cripple and the
RurIRr,"

MY FOOTSTOOL.
The story OF The Cripple and the
RurIar."
My brother gave his work a final polish,
and then viewed the valuable articles approx
ingly before placing them in their softly pad
ded case.
Think they look well, little woman ?" he
asked.
81 think they do, indeed" answered in
unqualified admiration, for Ted WAS a capital
workman and had mended the pretty trinkets
very skillfully. II am sure Mr. Bailey will
be pleased. Tho 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 jsweled brace
let's in his customary mon burglar. proof
safe, as he jokingly called strong, square
box which he had fitted with lock and key,
padded inside and out, and covered with
chintz to match our sofa. He made me use
this as footstool, saying that evil-disposed
persons would be less liable 10 examine It,
and many a 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, aud the like nonsense. Dear
old Ted lie was SO clever at his trade and
so Trustworthy that he always had more work
than he could get through. He was very
fond OF me-hi- poor, little crippled sister
would never let me sit up too long at my
needle, and shared with me every possible
way the little duties necessitated by our hum
BILE MENACE no he aud | logged along very
peaceaby. We lodged in two rooms in q
quiet street on the outskirts OF Bridgepool
Our landlsdy was kindly old body, who had
kpptpu haF ait "a
| found ourselves on this worlds stage.
Having put away the bracelets safely, my
brother next packed up three or four watches
he had been setting to rights, and prepared
to go to the shop in Bridgepool which usually
employed him. / watched him put on his
overcoat for tho day was very cold but he
seemed slow in his movements. aud thought
be was reluctant to leave me alone for
though | was generally active enough, con-
sidering my inhrmity, one of my bad spells
was now on me- when, as he knew, l found
moving about pain and difficulty for some
days. 1t happened, tCo that Mrs. Brown
our landlAdy, had gone out for the day-s
very rare occurrence.
Can do anything else for you before
go 2" he asked.
"No, Ted dear, thank you"
MAKE sure look round and see II every
thing is put handy for you, said my brother,
placing my crutch a little nearer.
Everything" | replied cheerfully. And
I've such lot of work to get through, shall
find the afternoon short"
81 don't half like your being left alone so
long for may not be back before five, -
said Ted, eying me obviously. Cousin
Milly would come round II | asked her"
"les, and bring her baby, who would him
der my work sadly. | don't like babies when
I'm busy. Gro away, Ted, you dear old fell
| low! Don't bother about me | shall be all
right"
"Well, bye bye, little woman, he said stop
ping to kiss me "Tll be home as soon az
can. And Bessie, he added, pausing in the
doorway, "be sure you don't touch the win
| dow to day. The sash line snapped this
morning | must send carpenter to see it,
You will remember p
promised that would and my brother
departed. heard him go down stairs and
shut the street door. At first the usual quiet
of the house was rather depressing; but
soon became too much engrossed in sewing
to pay attention to that, and stitched away
busy at some things | was completing for
lady who was kind enough to praise my
needlework, preferring it, as many others
did, to machine stitched articles. Presently
thought heard slight noise down stairs,
like the opening Of window; but as all re-.
manned quiet afterward, put it down to my
imagination, and went on TRANQUILITY with my
work. After some time was startled to hear
a step, steadily but distinctly audible on the
landing outside while under the door appear
ed the shadow Of some one moving
perhaps Mrs. Brown has returned" was
the thought in my mind as l sat gazing at
the door; but then l turned cold with fear,
for the handle was turned softly, and q
strange man looked ina young man with a
pallid, greasy, leering face ornamented by q
thievish looking twist Of hair on each side,
while a limp cap of semi. military cut was
stuck rakishly on the side OF his head.
noticed these details mechanically as | sat
petri6ed with surprise and fright, and | also
noticed that his long, dirty neck was without
tie or collar, a shabby frock coat being but
toned up to his chin, and his dirtier hands
sported more than one ring.
This individual, after darting a swift glance
round the room, slipped in and locked the
door, saying
'Sick Popsy wopsy, don't be frightened
I'm not going to hurt you-not a bit Of it,
But you see, stop that he growled for
as he approached me, l recovered myself a
little and gave good, loud scream.
Quick as thought he had his hand over my
mouth, holding my chin and nose in such a
manner that was nearly suifocated then he
gave me a shake, saying;
I'll you do that again, I'll pay you out, you
little fool! There-she is going to be nice
ano quiet now, amt she2 A picteT of good
behavior, l call her :"
Talking thus, he gagged me dexterously
with some of my woTk-which, however, was
pleassnter than his hand-ugh that grimy
hand on my mouth and then producing
some cord from his pocket, in a minute or
two 1 was-poor little, feeble thing-bound
hand and foot in my chair.
He grinned at me as he remarked
Now you know, ducky, l wouldn't have
served you so If you'd had the sense TO keep
quiet. l never could bear to DO rough with
the ladies--never But time is short, aud
you might have been hard TO please 80 per
haps it's the best way after all. "
While speaking thus, the fippant rascal
kept running his eyes around our neat little
rooms read disdain in his glance, and
that moment a suspicion darted into my mind
that he come with the object of stealing some
of Teds work-perhaps the jeweled bracelets
which were under my feet. With this thought
there came to me resolve to save my broth
or such loss il possibly could aye, even
though had TO endure tortures, 1 would not
speak. set my teeth hard and watched the
man. His wandering glance soon reverted
to me.
Look here, dear II l loosen this cloth a
bit, and you take breath, will you speak 10
me nicelyP Only don't scream again, it
makes me quite nervous to hear you SCREEN,
and can't do you no good" How we'll knew
that, in a back room in a quiet street !
"There-ain't it much more comfortable 2"
-loosening the cloth. Tell me now, popsy
your brothers got some vallybles here,
amt he Z"
shook my head.
ooh, but he has 80 you needn't jog your
noddle 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.
Ibid you ever see stitch slubbornness p
muttered the fellow, tying up my mouth
again. ~ am Altered shall have to make
you speak directly, But l never like to be
unkind to the ladies unless they drive me
TO it-oh, never :"
Saying this he began an examination OF
the apartment, proceeding in what as l sup
pose, would be described by professional
! as the 'best style )" anyway, his movements