The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-03-24

broad lace. At halt past ten we were both sound asleep in this inviting bed, satisfied that Aunt Betty would be away all night.
 Between eleven o'clock and mid night, however, was awakened by the sound of some one talking in a high, harsh, angry voice in the hall.
 'It's burglars, I know!n said the angry voice. And I'd like to lay hands on them once. I'd show 'em how to eat up the things I'd baked for comp'ny tomorrow sos not to have anything to do when they came. It's burglars, I'm sure! And I b'leeve they're in the house now, and Pm going to rout 'em out '" was sure that the speaker WAS a woman, and in moment a mans voice said
 i've searched outside and can't find no trace of 'em. We'd better be care- ful, for think from what they've eat there must be five or six of 'em and they're apt to be desp'rit fellows"
 The two "desp'rit fellows" with the eating capacity of six, lay abashed and rebuked, and even trembling in their bed, for Jeff was awake now, and we were sitting up in bed whispering together when the door was thrown open and very large, red faced woman marched to the center of the room, holding lamp above her head
 "How do you do, Aunt Betty! Glad to see you," said Jeti, with chat tering teeth, from the depths of tho feather bed.
 "Oh. I'll Aunt Betty yoU" cried the woman. If this ain't the out ragiest piece of imperdence ever did hear of! For two tramps, or house o correction runaways, to come into my house an eat up my comp'ny victual, an then git into my spare room feather bed Pll have the law on you or -"
 "Don't-you-kn-o o-o-w us, Aunt Betty?" gasped, as Jeff crawled out of sight, white with terror, under the bed clothes.
 "I ain't your Aunt Betty P shrieked the woman. 'I ain't any | Douy AuiIl bcttH uOu b tcNt you've got an Aunt Bettyv It's | made-up plan to keep yourselves out of jail! My name is Mabaly Baxter and Fll have my hired man to tie you both up. Here, Sam!'
 A stout man dressed as laborel came forward amd was about to seize me, when Igasped out, I've thought this was our-Aunt Betty Blaney'l house-and-and-"
 "Betty Blaney !" cried the woman Then she dropped into chair and said to the man, "Wait minute You ain't the boys Betty Blancy h looking for from out in Iowa-hei brother Randalls sons?"
 "Yes-we-arew p cried Jeff, show ing his head again.
 Then the woman laughed until sht might have been heard half mile.
 "Well, if ain't beat !" she finally said. "Why, Pve knowed your pa al his days. To think of me talkin' tt Randall Carter's boys as I've talked tc you! You're welcome to all the sasi and sweet stuff in the house. How did it all happen?"
 "The postmaster at the station told us that Aunt Betty's was the third yellow house on the left, and"
 "He made a mistake" said Mrs Baxter. "Iers is the second house.
 "0h, Jefw 1 said, "I remember now He said the second house."
 "Why didn't you say SO sooner?' asked Jeff, ruefully.
 "Well, it's all right now," said Mrs Baxter, cordially. "Your aunt went with me down to Pcrryville to a meeting that lasted late, and wheel came off my buggy on the way home and kept us out this late. You just lay down and go to sleep, and I'll take you over to your Aunt Betty's in the morning. She'll be s'prised enough. She was afraid you'd give mp com ing"
 Then she left us in the darkness, and Jeff said, 'I feel mighty flat"
 "And feel as though Pd like to slip out of this bed and go home and stay there forever" said I.
 But our spirits rose wonderfully when, early in the morning, Mrs Baxter took us over to Aunt Betty'' house, where we spent four of the happiest weeks of our lives Youth', l Companion