The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-02-23

there. It was quite safe. But how
silly to leave it ! Could l 90 and
f,toh iti No; certainly not. My
father would be very angry with the
for going out IN the night. I must
go to sleep-sleep. But I should
like to sec how the attic looks in the
bright moonlight that shines into my
room. ! cannot do auy harm by go
ing out. And 1 cannot sleep. Aud
l hate to lie awake. The Dutch
clock on tho stairs strikes eleven
The house has been quite still for On
hour and a-half.
l stepped gently out Of my bed,
aud stole TO the widow How
sharply outlined tho shadows we're
1 remember the whole scene now.
Great clouds were coursipg over the I
sky, and presently the moon would
be hid. l turned the key in the
lock Of my own door. 1t moved so
silently and easily that l could not
help pnllipg back the bolts.-1u
nother minute was in my attic.-
You may think was very courag-
eous girl, aud very unlike most Of
the children you know. Perhaps
children nowadays have more foolish
ideas in their heads, than those Of
seventy years ago. l koew nothing
to be afraid OF There lay rod, and
my cherished knfe, its blade looking
very blue in the moonlight l shut
it, aud vowed never to be 30 careless
again. How strange the room look
cd 1; Everything was very black or
very bright, aud the broad mullions
made great strips Of shadow over the
floor.
feasted my eyes at the big wins
dow, then turned to the little one.
Opposite to me rose up the steep
tilted roof, and at the top was the
Lighthouse, its vaue shining in the
clear light, aud its windows looking
Just at though there were candle
inside. l had turned to 60 down to
my bed ain, for l was beginning
to be conscious that it was cold,
when saw the window Of the light
house that was nearest to me slowly
open. l cannot say that l was ex>
actly afraid, even then. l was spell
bound with astonishmeut, and stood
motionless to watch. The sash was
raised and man cautiously got out.
He moved awkwardly, and seemed
to have his hand tied. Then he be-
gan to descend the roof very slowly,
very wearily. He leaned back
against the tiles, and lodging bis
feet and elbows in the projections,
advanced inch by inch along his peri
: lous journey, with his hands still iu
front of him.
l had just time to recognize his
features, when great cloud came
over the moon, and iu q sudden
gloom Of the comparative darkness
| could see little. But had seer
enough now. The man was on,
James Connor, laborer on the farm
He had come to the farm some weeks
ago, and though my father knew
nothing of him, and he looked NOR,
like o mere tramp, he had been re
ceived,-His follow servants had
complained, once or twice, that be
was drunkard, but he had promised
amendment. He was in the kitchel
when my father bad indiscreotly ans
wered my indiscreet question. Wha
he was doing was clear enough. II,
had passed through my fathers room
before the house was closed for thu
night, had concealed himself in th,
o garret till all was still, and had thel
mounted to the Lighthouse to stea
. the money. He could not descent
= through my fathers room withou
rousing him. Nor was it needful tt
" do so. lie knew the premises we'll
and was aware that il he could des
cend the roof, and gain the little win
dow, he could at once reach the farm
yard, and so make bis way whittier
soever he would. All this hashst
through my mind as the cloud fel
y over the moon'-ln moment wa
a watching more eagerly through th
o night, as the dim figure crept heed
i. fully downward.
9 He wore his shirt, and stockings
!. and shoes, and pair Of rougl
y breeches. In his hands he held hi
!. spoils, perhaps, because, he wore NJ
% pockets /; perhaps, because, as biz
\, stun;1 lnnL ahouad ha uaa hal