Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-09

from. their animals, and, when thsy had hsn
fastened to the Quakers garden fencs, thsy
turned to enter the dwelling. But the dor
was fast against them
..sto danger from bullets, boys the leader
laughed. 80 well have some fun Plenty Of
wood here 20 make ram Of Sam, you get
g Stick. while persuade 'em to opsn the
door for US
In accordance with this plan, q small log
was raised by four Of the men, while Bob
grasped the door and shook IL violently.
Open he said, with many oaths and dis
gushing language, which we have no right TO
record: open. or it'll be the wuss for ye-
Well break the door down, ard ven find
nest Of roarin wildcats in yer late peaceful
home. Yea, verify thee viii"
But his words brought no response, and
presently the men bearing the log approached
Smash her down." he growled They
are stubborn as -. or they are goin' TO
play some trick on US"
The bearers Of the battering ram now ap-
proached, and Bob. after giving the door
two or three not very gentle kicks, indicated
the place where the blow should be gwen
But even while the beam was poised and
almost ready to descend. the valiant leader
Of the gang gave a fearful howl, and sank
uuon the ground. crawling away like huge
spider, and accompanying each movement
with groan-
Why. Bob. whar ais yerr demanded one
of his followers in surprise.
Before any answer could be given, how
ever. the auestioner executed like move
ment. and with very little less ado fastened
from the vicinity, closely followed by all the
others
To explain the cause Of their singular dis
eomfture we must return TO the interior OF
the house
When Ruth closed and barred the door the
plan she had in mind was soon made appar-
eut Naomi had been TO the loft, and now
returned with an engine which had been
used in watering the garden during the sum
mer months, in fact, within few days IL
was very simple in design, being merely a
hollow cylinder, fitted with a piston, the
whole forming no more nor less than large
squirt gun.
This the sisters had put in perfect working
order the night previous, when they would
otherwise have been sleeping, SO that now it
was all ready for use.
1t required but a few moments to fill the
cavity with the boiling water, and when it
was forcibly elected by the indignant mai
dens' arms, landing upon the person and
clothing of Bob Bellows, it is easy to foresee
that the recipient did, as the Quakeress had
affirmed, find himself in hot water"
Nor was he alone, for before the alarm had
fully been taken every one Of the Others had
received sprinkling, which at such short
range did most effective service.
1t was some time before the riders ventured
to return and unhitch their horses, but this
they finally did, and gaDoped away as
though some fiend was in pursuit Of them
"Verily the spirit constrained me to laugh,
yea. to laugh heartily" the father remarked,
as he beheld the ignoble flight But, my
Ruth, verify fear thee hath awakened this
mans undying ire and that we may suffer in
turn"
mo matter, father; We need not borrow
trouble They are disposed of for the pres
ent, and something seems to tell me they
will not come back"
Then, as she recollected the uncouth man
ner in which they had FASTENED away, she
gave herself up to hearty laugh in which
all present joined.
For many weeks Nehemiah Strong held
himself in readiness to vacate the home he
had founded and his daughters defended, but
they were not called upon to do So
No doubt Bob Bellows would have faced a
cabin full of men, but the novel and deter
mined opposition of the young ladies had
the effect Of lettering him from making his
appearance ever after. Philadelphia Call.