The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-11-09
selerf Stsrp.
A WoMAN'S COURAGE.

one of the girls was exceedingly
pretty, and both were rather ner
vous at being left alone in the house
Susie Kirkpatrick's big brown
eyes were bigger than usual as she
looked at her cousin Neely, and
said:
Il think Brian might have come
home tonight. lie knew we would
be all aloner'
II don't suppose he thought any
thing about it, observed Nicely
Blanchard. You can'texpect mans
sympathy in such matters. Besides
il he couldn't come, he couldn't, and
there an end Of it. Do you fee
afraid, Sues'
.'N-o, not exactly; but | am al
most sure heard some one walking
around the house after supper
@Oh, ] guess not!r'
"Ycs, | did! / am glad we came
in here to sleep. Neely. There's {
pistol in that wardrobe, on that tol
shelf. Brian always keeps it there
It's loaded, too.'
Neely got up and opened the dool
with extreme caution.
Il don't know, she said with q
laugh, "hut I'd he more afraid of the
pistol than / would be of robber
But see here, Sue. Here's an old
overcoat and hat of Bryan's. Don't
you think it would be good idea tc
hang them up on the rack in the
hall--as sort Of scarecrow, you
know? / know a lady who always
keeps couple Of old hats hanging
in The hall. make folks think there
are men in the house"
"Therc's good idea," Susie as
scntcd, as her cousin dragged out an
overcoat and hat and started down
stairs with them. "You'll get youl
death Of cold!m she called over the
banistcrs as Neely descended to the
lower hall in her bare feet.
But by this time the hat and coat
were being hung up on the rack ina
conspicuous position.
Neely took in the effect with evi-
dent satisfaction, and had just turn
ed to 90 up stairs when she heard a
light step in the yestibule and some
one fumbling at the door.
1t Was verging toward midnight,
and some one was trying to get into
the house.
Neely's heart gave one Wild bound
of terror and she dashed up the
stairs at bound.
Susie" she gasped as she burst
into Brian's room and locked the
door after her, there's mana
robber-trying to get in the front
door,
In confirmation of this awful sur
mise there was mans step in the
lower hall--a faint and muffied step
as of one moving about with extreme
caution, but still Enthusiastically a
step.
Susie's face blanched to death
like whiteness; but, like many girl
who is naturally timid, in the pres
cnce Of real danger Ncely grew sud
denly brave.
She heard the step in the dining
room and thought of all the silver.
What shall we do?' Susie gasp
ed.
Il will frlghtcn him away" Nicely
exclaimed springing toward the
wardrobe, which was still open, and
before her terrified cousin could di-
vine her purpose she had snatched
down an old suit Of Brian's and be.
gan to put it on.
In moment or SO she had array
cd herself in masculine attire, pulled
IN old cap over her head and tucked
her long hair under the coat collar.
Then she took the loaded pistol in
her hand and went toward the door
.sYou won't 90 down stairs, Nee
IL" Susie cried in perfect trans
port of terror. "He will kill you!
'.IIush," Neely whispered as shs
softly undid the door and slipped
out into the hall. "You call evel
the banister in a gfuff Voice, That
pistols loaded, Tom. Here, givt
me that pair Of boots-quick.''
"Neely,'' her cousin whispered,
clinging to her arm as she started
down stairs with a ponderous tread
s.don't GO
.sHush! Call-callr'
THAT pistols loaded, Neely," sale
very shaky voice over the hanis
tiers, and then the young he
inc went stamping down stairs
as though she were giant in seven
leagucd boots.
At the foot of the stairs she paus
ed a moment, ard to her unspcaka
Bile horror, she saw the audaciou'
house-breaker in the dining-roon
under full flare of the gas-ligh
coolly helping himself to a glass o
wine from the decanter on the side
board.
Neely didn't know what to do il
that awful moment but shoot him
SO she raised the pistol and pulle'
the trigger.
Alas for her aim. Like man,
weapons which had been loaded 70
4 long time, the pistol wouldn't g
off the first time.
She tried it again with no bette
result, and fortunately for the rob
ber he turned round just as she wa
about to make third attempt.
With one bound he sprang fol
ward and knocked the weapon on
OF her hand. The hammer struc
With considerable force on the aoo
and the pistol really did go of, bu
the ball did no damage save b
plowing furrow along the wall.
There was a scream and heav
fall on the upper landing, though
and Necly felt sure she had in som
mysterious way managed to shoe
her cousin Susie.
Let me gor' she cried franticall.
struggling in the grasp of q stronl
stalwart fellow who seemed to ha,
the sinews Of steel. "Help! help!