The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-08-30
MAGGIE AND THE BURGLARS
ire not afraid. Maggie ?

CHoRUs:-
MAGGIE AND THE BURGLARS.
You are not afraid, MaggieT
Me afraid said Maggie. I'd no fear
born with me. AS for the house, it's the
strongest fastened ever l was in, You
say yourself there's no lock a burglar
could force, and I'm not to let tramps or
the like in of my free will. God knows
the place will be safe enough when you
come back-as safe as though there was
regiment of soldiers in it; and I'll have
all bright for your new wife, Mr.. Archi-
bald.
She called her master Mr.. Archibald
still. This old woman was the only one
who used bis Christian name. He was
an elderly man himself, and had few
intimate friends, hospitality not being
one of his virtues,
He was rich, and there was much that
was valuable in the house, more ready
money, too, than most men keep about
them; but then it was secure as bank
vault-patent lock and burglar alarms
that first sent bullet into any one who
sought to enter by stealth and then rang
bell to wake the household, were at
tached to every door, and furious
watch dog that lived on raw meat was
in the back garden. The Van Mott man
sion could have withstood a seige at a
moments notice.
Mr.. Van Mott was money dealer.
He had ways and means of accumulat-
ing property which were mysterious to
his neighbours, and there were suspicious
that the little back parlor, sacred 10 bust
ness, had even seen such lesser deal
ings as the loan of money on the gold
watches, cashmere shawls and diamonds
OF genteel distress. Two or three mort
cages that he had bought up had been
rather cruelty foreclosed; and he was a
hard landlord, and bad person to owe
money to altogether. On the whole, as
rich as he was, he would have found it
hard to get wife to his liking among
the neighbors at Oakham,
However, having resolved to marry
again-there had been Mrs Van Mott
who died years before-he had sought
out wealthy widow of saving dispo-
sition, who lived on small farm some
miles out of town, and having already
disinherted her daughter for espousing
an estimable young man OF small means
and turned her only son out OF doors for
equally prudent reasons, was not likely
to bring troublesome generosity into his
household, and had offered himself to
her and had been accepted. And now,
though both their economical souls re-
volted against it, custom decreed we'd
ding Of some sort and honeymoon trip
somewhere, and they had decided to do
it as cheaply as possible.
For this brief time Mr.. Van Mott must
leave his business and his house, and it
was upon the eve of his departure that
he held the above conversation with his
old servant, standing with his port
manteau in his hand and regarding her
gravely.
Yes, yes, he said. presume it is all
safe enough. And I'll speak to the night
Waterman and give him dollar to take
particular look at this house. Well,
good by, Maggie, make things as neat as
possible, for If they look dirty my wife
may think the furniture old and want
something new for the parlor. And Mr.,
Van Mott departed.
Yes, yes, said old Maggie, no doubt
she'll have fine extravagant ways. Poor
master What pity he should marry
after all-but old fools are the worst
fools. A young thing of eight and forty,
too, when he has sensible servant sixty
last January, that knows what belongs
to good housekeeping. If he wanted to
marry, why didn't he ask me? I'd not
have gone galivanting and spending.
All, well, he'll suffer, not |. And Mag
gle trotted away to begin her sweeping
and busting.
She said truly there was no fear born
with her, but as the night drew on she
began to feel somewhat lonely. Her
masters presence was strangely missed
out OF the great house, and there was
something ghostly in the look of his
empty chair when she peeped into the
little back parlor.
II was superstitious, she said to her
self, should think something dreadful
was going to happen. feel chilly all
up and down my back, and keep think.
ing of funerals I'll make myself cup
Of tea, and see il can get over it.
And accordingly old Maggie shut her
self into the snug kitchen, lighting two
candles, drew pot of the strongest
young Hyson, and putting her feet close
to the cooking stove, began to feel much
more comfortable.
The old clock licked away on the
mantle, the hands pointing to half past
eight.
I'm going to bed at nine, said Maggie.
I've worked well to day. Much thanks.
I'll get for it, doubt. Hark what's
that7
II was sound outside the door, a
slow solemn grating of wheels. Then
feet trod the pavement and the bell rang
family.
A carriage cried Maggie. Has he
changed his mind and brought her home
at once? But that can't be-he's not
married yet
And taking one of the candles she
trotted to the door, but not before the
bell had rung again.
Who's thatp abe cried, holding the
door slightly ajar.
A stranger, said voice, one who has
something particular to say to you.
You'll have to wait for tomorrow said
Maggie. You can't come in tonight.
My good woman, said the stranger you
are Margaret BlackI
That's my name.
Mr.. Van Motifs housekeeper for TWEEN
yearsI
Yes.
My good woman, if you are attached
to your master l have very bad news for
you,
Gracious Lord cried Maggie, but she
did not open the door much wider-only
enough to thrust her head out. Don't
scare me, mister. What is il?
The worst you can think of, said the
man. Mr.. Van Mott travelled on the
railroad. There has been bad acct
dent.
Preserve us cried Maggie, letting the
door fall back. And him on his way to
his wedding. He's hurt badly, then
He's dead, said the man. Dead and
we've brought him home.
Maggie sat down on a chair and began |
to cry.
We've done what we could, said the |
man. The lady he was to marry and |
her friends will be down tomorrow. |
Meanwhile my instructions are that you
shall watch with him, and allow no
strangers to enter the house. There are
valuable things here, I'm told, and Mr..
Van Motifs lawyer must take possession
Of them and seal them up before stran-
gers have access to the rooms.
Oh, dear, dear cried old Maggie.
That il should come to this. Yes, will
watch alone. l am not afraid, but-oh
dear.
Then she shrank back and let two men
carry horrible coffin into the front par