The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1888-11-17
MAGGIE AND THE BURGLARS

hA5ulE. AND iHE BURGLARS.
"You are not afraid, Maggief"
"Me afraid" said Maggie. "rd no
fear born with me. As for the house. its
the, strongest fastened ever was in. You
say yourself there's no lock a burglar
could force, aud I'm not to let tramps or
the like In of my own free will. GOD
knows the place will be cafe enough whe n
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..
Archibald"
She called her master Mr.. Archibald
still. This old woman was the only one
who used his Christian name. He was an
elderly man himself. and had few init
mate 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 a bank
vault-patent looks and burglar alarms,
that first sent a bullet into any one who
sought to enter by stealth and then rang
bell to awake the household, were at
tached tn every door, and furious watch
dog, that lived on raw meat. was in the
bacI garden. The Van Mott mansion
could have withstood a seigs at n mo.
ment's notice.
Mr.. Van Mott was a money dealer. He
had ways and means of accommodating
property which were mysterious to his
nelghbors, and there were suspicions that
the little back parlor, sacred to business,
mad even seen such lesser dealings as the
loan of money on the gold watches, cash
mere shawls and diamonds of genteeI
distress. Two or three mortgages that
he had bought up had been rather cruel
ly foreclosed; and he was hard landlord
and bad man to owe money to alto
gether. On the whole, as rich as he was
he would have foupd it hard TO get wife
to his liking among the neighbora at
Oal ham.
However, having resolved to marry
again-there had been Mrs. Van Notr,
who died years before, he had sought out
a wealthy widow OF n saving dis position,
who lived on small farm, some miles
out OF town, and having elready disin-
herit"d her daug hter for espousing an
estimable young man of small means,
and turned her own 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,
volted against il, custom decreed we'd
ding of some sort, and honey moon
trip somewhere, and they had deeided TO
do it as cheaply as possible.
For this brief time Mr. Van Mott must
leave his business and his house, aud it |
was upon the eve of his departure that
he held the above conversation with his |
old servant, stahding with his portman.
teau in his hand, regarding her gravely.
"Yes, yes," he said, II presume 1t is all |
safe enough. And I'll speak to the night
watohman, :.nd give him dollar 10 take
particular look at this house. Well, |
goodby, Maggie, make things as neat rs
possible, for II 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 extravagnnt ways. Poor
master! What a 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, aixty last
January, that knows what belongs to good
If he wanted to marry,
why didn't he ask me? I'd not have gone
gallivanting and spending. All, we'll.
holl suffer, not L." Aud Maggie trotted
awsy to begin her sweeping and dusting.
She said truly there IVES no fear born
with her, but AZ the night drew on she
began TO feel somewhat lonely. Her mas.
;er's presence was strangely missed ou.
of the great house, and there was some
thing ghostly in the look of his empty
chair wnen she peeped into the little back
office.
III sas superstitious,' she said TO her
self, Il .houId think something dread,u
was going TO happen. feel chilly all up
and down my back, anG L keep thinking
of funerals. III make my self cup of tea
and see If can't get over it,
Aud accordingly eld Maggie shut her
self into the snug kitchen, lighting two
candles, drew pot of the strongest
young Hyson, aud putting her feet close
to the cooking stove began to feel much
more comfortable.
Th. clock ticked away on tho mantle,
The hands pointing To half past eight.
I'm goirg TO bed at nine said Maggie.
I've worked well to day. Much thanks
I'll get TOR ii, no doubt. Hark? what's
.haIr
1t was sound outside the door, q slow
sol, mn grating of wheels. Then feet
lrod tho pavement, and the bell rang
family.
"A carriageG" cried Maggie. Has he
changed his mind and brought her home
ut onceY But that can't be; he's not
nsrried yet" And taking one of the
candles she trotted to the door, but not
before the bell had rupg again.
"Wno's thatf" she cried, holding the
ioor slightly ajar.
"A stranger, said voice, 'one who has
,omething particular TO cay to you."
You" have TO wait for to- morrow"
Ma "You cams come in to-