The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-12-24

TO be gone tomorrow, for l should feel
perfectly easy about you if he were only
going to be at home. I'll tell you what I'll
do; I'll stop at Mrs. Otv-ood's in the morn
ing and tell her if any thing happens up
here, or if you want her you'll blow the
dinner-ho and let her know"
8 o, pshaw, Johnl what is going 20 hap
pen3 You go and get your kindlings ready
for the morning, and don't let me hear any
more of this nonsense and she kissed the
shade of anxiety off his face and went into
the little bedroom adjoining.
Long before sunrise the simple house
hold was astir, a hearty breakfast was
eaten, and half an hour later a woman's
forlorn figure might have been seen stand
ing alone in the road outside the humble
dwelling, in a listening attitude, as the oc-
casional sound of beloved voices came back
to her on the stin wintry air. Not until the
last tones had died away did she turn and
90 into the house. 1t was not long before
the sun rose clear and bright, and soon in
dustrious hands dispelled all lingering
sense of loneliness.
The usual household duties over, she pro-
ceeded to prepare a pleasant surprise for
her dear ones. Ere nightfall, from the
rude ceiling overhead depended graceful
festoons of evergreen; the silvery frost
work of the windows had a worthy emer-
aid setting and the spacious fireplace
ROluGu
surrounded by a rich mass of green; in
short, the humble little dwelling had been
completely transformed by the magic
hands of love, and this same touch had fair
ly transfgured the face and form Of the
occupant until she appeared every inch the
queen of this fragrant, summer bower.
At last there was nothing more to be
done. Each stocking--Wilie's, Henry's,
yes, Johns, and her own as well-all hung
md hn oh Iy ar
pie enough to admit the burly form of Kris
Kringle himself, if he still kept up his old
custom. And now it was time to prepare
for the night. AS she drew the plain white
curtains together she found, to her surprise,
that each window was nailed fast, and she
knew that this was the work of dear,
thoughtful John before he went away.
Why had he been so worried about her, she
wondered. There was nothing to fear, she
tried to reassure herself, as she went to the
outside doors and drew the bolts; neverthe-
less, with candle in hand she searched
thoroughly each room, not neglecting to
lift the bed-valance, and investigate the
proverbial hiding-place of thieves and vii
lains. Then she put the candle out and
crept softly into bed. Many times she had
stayed alone thus without a shadow of fear
why should sne care now4 she asked
herself again and again, and trying to be-
heye that she was only nervous from
fatigue she at last dropped into slumber.
How long had she slept9 She could not
tell, but she had awakened with q start,
and was sitting up in bed in a half con-
scious state. She could not tell what had
reused her, but she thought it must have
been the striking Of the clock, for it was
Just telling the hour of twelve with start
ling distinctness; yet there she sat mo-
tionless long after the last stroke had died
away in the oppressive stiffness. The
moonlight was shining through the cur
tains, casting an uncertain light over each
object in the room. 1t seemed as if some
mysterious presence had startled her. She
listened with painful interest, her gaze
fixed on the window opposite, and, as she
looked, the dark outline of the caseRRoEt
seemed to move upward. No could not
be. 1t must have been caused by the
strong wind that Yves blowing; yet surely
the wind could not move it in that direc-
tion.
She thought Of the Indians that Hiram
had seen that day; she thought Of the
money concealed under the foot Of the bed,
and then Johns charge TO her regarding
the danger-signal flashed through her mind.
She sprang out of bed in an instant but the
next moment, to her dismay, she remem-
bered that she had neglected to bring the
dinner-horn into the house, and that it was
then lying in it's accustomed place in the
for kingdom. All her courage seemed to
leave her. Noiselessly she went to the
window to ascertain to GER
tainty that it was secure, and as she exam
ined each one in turn, she could distinctly
hear footsteps on the cracking snow, fol-
lowing her, and trying each window as she
approached it. Then the steps seemed to
retreat, and few moments later she heard
the door-latch softly lifted, but she knew
she had nothing TO fear from that direction,
and taking advantage of the moment she
timidly raised a corner of the curtain and
looked out. Her fears were all too plainly
verified, for there in the bright moonlight
was the unmistakable figure Of a great
brawny Indian She could clearly distin-
guish his swarIny. features, and. as his
blanket swayed TO ana fro IL pne wind she
thought she detected a cleaning knife in
his belt
She hastily dropped the curtain and once
more listened with breathless anxiety
For a time all was still; then a strange,
rustling sound was heard, and the next
thing she realized was that a heavy body
was creeping along the roof. Great
heavens what was the creature going to
do2 A noise near the chimney seemed to
be her answer. Already he was coming
down there, and, taking in the situatacn at
glance the courage and strength Of dSs-
peration came to her. To rush into the
room, QEdg OUT buo bJFdW D6u anu HluB II
on the dying embers was the work Of
scarcely an instant. Then involuntarily her
eyes followed the upward direction Of the
blaze. There, through the thick smoke, she
could plainly see hanging in the chimney a
dark form, which appeared to be strug-
Cling, as if trying to extricate itself
Wild with terror, and guided now only
by impulse, she flew out Of the house
reached the wood shed, and grasping the
horn she blew such loud, frantic notes that
they must have been heard for miles in
the still, clear air. Then she started TO run
down the road, but every thing swan be-
fore her, her kneeAsank under her, and the
next moment she knew no more.
''Never mind; don't talk just now" John
was saying to her when she came 20 her
self. "rn tell you all about it If you'll
promise to lie quite still and not ask any