The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1886-05-27


In 10 breakfast from What be called bis
garden. with bali dozen radishes in bis
hand Sarah. I've been talking scrcss the
fence W peighbor Kimberly. aud be tolls
me thai bis bss house was robbed last
n night " M
Good grsciousl said Mrs. Cobb. set
ting down the coffee pot and turning
asound with eager interest Who are the
thisvesi and how did they get into the
henhousei and how many chickens are
sioleuf
/ don't remember three or four, or per.
hsps Hve or six, of more. didn't notice
particularly.
just like mani hearing Of henhouse
being robbed. and not noticing how many
fowls uere takenl
The mattsr to us, said Cobb. sdmiringly
Surveying the rsdishes. il rather how to
prevent our fowls meeting the same fate.
II the thieves could break open Kimberlys
poultry house. which Is kept locked,
they will nnd no difficulty in getting into
ours.
4 That is true; aud my precious Coachin
Chinss and the pair Of Leghornsl What's
to be done'
Shoot 'em pal bswled Master Tommy
Cobb. in eager excitement. ] would II ]
Was you
Cobb looked with paternal pride upon
bis promising heir with the warlike spirit,
but shook bis head reprovingly.
No, no, Tommy; 1t wouldn't be right
to take mans life for the sake Of few
chickens.
But they're robbers, and robbers ought
to be shot. persisted Tommy. oughtn'
they, ma?
Come to breakfast, Tommy. and don't
talk OF such dreadful things. replied bis
mother. And. Lyman, be sure you don't
forget to bring home paddock this even
ing for the henhouss It ought to have
been 6xed long ago.
| l will II / can remember it.
Remember it? True; you never do
remember anything that you ought too.
See herel III make q memorandum Of
t.
And Mrs. Cobb tied close hard knot in
one corner OF her husbands blue polka
dotted pocket handkerchief-her usual
mode Of keeping him in mind Of any spec.
ial domestic commission to be executed
down town.
Then they sat down to enjoy beefsteak
and onions, and the fresh, home raised
radishes so fresh, as Master Tommy ex-
ultingly observed, that they tasted Of
the ground out Of which they had just
been taken.
That day Cobb came home as usual to
dinner, and when questioned by his wife,
said he had bought the paddock on his
way to his Office, but unfortunately forgot
TO bring 1t home.
However, be would do 30 in the evening, |
il he came home, which was rather doubt
full Judge Brooks wanted some improve
ments made in his house. . few miles in
the country and he he'd proposed to take
him ont in his buggy this evening to ex-
anime 1t, and bring him back 10 the morn
ing. So, IL no was not at home to supper,
his wife need not expect him back to-
night.
Az to the chicken thieves. it wasn't like
J that they would make second attempt
n the neighborhood on the very night
succeeding the last; 80 she need not be
uneasy on that score.
And il anything should happen in bis
absence there was his shot gun on
the hooks in the closet, and she knew how
to fire It we'll enough to frighten the
thieves and arouse the neighbon.
Mr.. Cobb didn't make his appearance
At tea. but sent . message BY Joe Kimber-
y, who had seen him riding of 10 bug
gy with Judge Brooks.
At about 10 o'clock. Mrs. Cobb. who
was strong ng-minded woman, commenced
preparations for retiring.
Despite her husbands assurances, she
had all day been haunted by q fear Of los
ing the valuable fowls for which she only
last week paid high price.
And according to her judgement. it
was much more natural that the thieves
should repeat their attempt on the night
succeeding the first robbery. for the very
reason that most people wouldn't expect
them 10 do 80.
Therefore. in thinking over the matter.
she resolved 10 go out and secure the hen
house door with piece Of old telegraph
wire which had been for some time lying
in corner OF the yard -one Of . miscel-
laneous collection Of odds aud ends be-
longing to master Tommy's private
store.
That promising youth was already in
bed and asleep; and his mother, throw
log her husbands coat around her shoul-
ders. went on her errand without disturb
ing him.
Itvas dark might, aud Mrs. Cobb,
making her way cautiously TO the hen.
house. commenced fastening the wire in
one Of the door staples
She had just done this 70 her satisisc-
tion. when, happening to look around.
she perceived dark figure creeping steal
shiIy along the garden fence toward where
she stood.
II was just as she had foreseen. Here
we're the chicken thieves.
For an instant her heart failed her. and
her impulse was 70 dee to the house; bat
the next. At the thought OF being bssely
robbed OF her valuable Cochin Chinas,