The Russellville Democrat., 1888-07-12

That was a very long week, but the eventful day came at last. Saturday dawned clear and dry and warm. There was no danger lest Uncle Patterson should change his mind on account of the weather. They might expect him by the stage, he had written. The stage came by at five o'clock in the afternoon. He would stay all night, of course. So Mrs Milham had been giving their one little spare room an extra cleaning and arranging. A nat ural good taste and skill at needle work had made the room, even with its old-fashioned furniture and white walls, very attractive. The bed spread and pillow-cases nd towels were spotless.
 To man who had any eyes to ob- serve, every thing in the room was the strongest recommendation of the house. keeping abilities of the one who had made it ready There was, of course, to be something a little extra for sup per. Bess had gone so far as to sug- gest frosted cake, but the others were not SO daring
 The children were thoroughly drilled and posted as to all their duties, and had made most solemn resolutions to observe all the good old rules about being seen and not heard, not speaking unless spoken to, and so forth. Noth- ing should be found in their words or actions that the most precise and crit ical of uncles could find fault with.
 Lizzy had been out to the village for something that morning and when she came back she had news to tell that almost drove their own great event out of their minds, "Oh, man. ma, what do you think?" she cried, running in breathless, Now, last night there was q horrid old tramp came to Deacon Johnson's, and nobody but Mrs. Johnson was home, and he was awful ugly. He made her give him some supper, and then he wanted some money, and said he'd knock her down if she didn't give it to him-and only that Deacon Johnson came home and chased him off with a horse-whip, she thinks he'd have killed her. And he hasn't been caught yet, though some men from the city have been after him."
 Mercy on us!'' said Mrs. Milham. "If there IS one thing I'm afraid of, it's a tramp. 1 hope to goodness he won't wander out here. don't know what we should do."
 He'll take Bess first, " suggested the ever-ready Carry. She's so fat he can eat her if he's hungry"
 No, he won't, neither, roared Bess, and burst into an agonized wall at the prospect.
 People said that Carry's nose was badly put out of joint when Bess came, and that she never got over being a little jealous of her. Certainly there never was a very long peace between them.
 Why whym said Mrs. Milham. There, Bess, nobody is going to touch you! Carrie, I'd be ashamed to tease her so! Just think, you two quarreling, and Uncle Patterson coming only this evening"" This was enough, The two combatants subsided, and the tramp alarm was swept out of the children's minds.
 Afternoon came, and it got to be three o'clock. Never had the hours seemed to move SO slowly to the little girls. Their clean, white dresses lay on the bed in their mothers room, re- served to be put on at the last moment, SO that by no mishap could a speck oi dirt soil them. Playing was almost out of the question. They could only watch the clock and long for the time to hurry on.
 Well, l declare" exclaimed their mother, hurrying suddenly out of the closet, If didn't forget to tell you tC get sugar this morning, Lizzy! There isn't a grain in the house, do believe Here, you run down to the village-no l can go quicker myself. There'll be plenty of time before the stage comes.
 She hastily put on her sunbonnet but just as she was going out of the door an uncomfortable recollection crossed her mind That tramp what if he should come here while am awayv'
 She turned to the children. 'Lizzy, she said, II want you to be very care ful while I am gone to keep the door shut and locked Don't let any body in unless it is one of the neighbors. Ii any strange man should come, looking like that tramp, and knock, keep quiet and don't pay any attention, so that he'll think there's no one at home and go away
 The caution was enough. The chill dren's faces grew scared and their eyes large at the suggestion They had come to think of tramp as an awful being combining the worst qualities of the ghost, the lion and the ogre of the fairy stories-a creature whose very least offcnse was devouring children alive. There was no danger Of their not keeping their promise to be care full in this matter.
 Their mother went away, and Lizzy immediately locked and bolted the door, shut all.the blinds, and fastened the windows. They even talkcdin low tones for time, lest the horrible tramp should be somewhere lying iu wait and should hear them, until Carry