Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-08
MAGGIE AND THE BURGLARS,
Lou are not afraid, Maggie?"

"You are not afraid, Maggie?"
"Me afraid!' said Maggie. "Td no
fear born with me. AS for the house, its
thesstrongest fastened ever | was in. You
say yourself there's no lock burglar
could force, and I'm not to let tramps or
the like in of my own free will. God
knows the place will be cafe enough when
you come back-as safe as though there
was a 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 inti-
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 bank
vault-patent locks and burglar alarms,
that first sent bullet into any one who
sought to enter by stealth and then rang
a bell to awake the household, were at
tached 30 every door, and furious watch
dog, that lived on raw meat, was in the
bach garden. The Van Mott mansion
could have withstood a seige at mo-
ment's notice.
MIR. Van Mott was money dealer. Hs
had ways and means of accommodating
property which were mysterious TO his
neighbors, and there were suspicious that
the little back parior, sacred to business,
mad e. an seen suoh lesser dealings as the
loan of money on the gold watches, cash
mere shaWl5 and diamonds of genteel
distress. Two or three mortgages that
he had bought up had been rather cruel
ly foreclosed; and he was hard landlord
and a bad man TO owe money to alto
gether. On the whole, as rich as he was
he would have found it hard to get wife
to his liking among the neighbors at
OaE ham.
However, having resolved to marry
again-there had been Mrs. Van Mott,
who died years before, he had sought out
a wealthy widow of saving disposition,
who lived on a small farm, some miles
out of town, and having already disin-
herit-d her daug liter 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,
though both their economical souls re-
volted against it, custom decreed a 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, aud it
was upon the eve of his departure that
he held the above conversation with his
old servant, standing with his portman-
teau in his hand, regarding her grayely.
"Yes, yes" he said, 81 presume 1t is all
safe enough. And I'll speak to the night
watchman, and give him dollar TO take
a particular look at this house. Well,
goodby, 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 extravaganza 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 q 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
galliyanting and spending. All, well.
he'll suffer, not l." And Maggie trotted
She said truly there was no fear born
with her, but as the night drew on she
began to feel somewhat lonely. Her mas
ter's presence was strangely missed out
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.
If was superstitious,' she said to her
Tch hinE Ifr,l
was going to happen. I feel chilly all up
and down my back, and keep thinking
of funerals. Ill make Inyself cup of tea
and see if can't get over IT,
And accordingly cid Maggie shut her
self into the snug kitchen, lighting two
candles, drew a pot of the strongest
young Hyson, and putting her feet close
to the cooking stove began to feel much
more comfortable.
The 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, no doubt. Hark? what's
thats'
1t was sound outside the door, 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 ruug again.
"Who's that?" she cried, holding the
door slightly ajar.
"a stranger, said a voice, 'one who has
something particular to say to you"
"Youn have to wait for to morrow"
said Maggie. "You can't come in to-
night.
"My good woman" said the stranger
"you are Margaret Blackf"
"That's my name"
''Mr. Van Motifs housekeeper for TWEEN
ty yearss"
YES
"My good woman, if you are attached
to your master, l have very bad news for
you."
"Gracioos Lord!" cried Msggie, but she
old not open the door much wider-only
enough to thrust her head out. Don't scare
me, mister. What is itS"
"The worst you can think Of said the
man. Mr.. an Mott travelled on the rail
road. There has been an accident
Preserve US! cried Maggie, letting