The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-06-21
EBENSBURG, PA. FRIDAY. JUNE 81. lSs

1herc came the quick patter of little
feet. He turned his lamp Gared up.
In the glass opposite, above the mask
which had doubtless slipped as he
sprang up, l saw the face of the ..cni-
nent.y respectable Mr.. Heming,
Involuntarily, uttered a sharp cry.
Then, | closed my eyes and felt nv
self sinking away into helpless, hope
less terror. But the door into my
room few open with a bang, | heard
Jack shout and Nutty scream;
rustic. 4 thud, a pistol-shot, confused
voices, tramping of feet. and tremcn-
dous pounding and kicking on the
porch.
just let any one try this sort of
thing and SEQ how quickly events
follow each other, and how many
different sounds they can hear at ono
time,
sprang out of bed, and the chaos
began 10 resolve itself into some kind
of order. Jack and Nutty were both
telling me that there was a carriage
at the door; the burglar was gone
through the window and evidently
into the hands Of his enemies, for
above the confusion downstairs
could hear Jim-OUr brother jim
roaring for the haIl-door 10 DO opened.
Some one was pounding away on it
Justify. / seized Nutty and Jack. a.
soon ~ / had hurried into my wrapper.
and trembling in every limb, wo
rushed down the long hall and stairs.
The hall-lamp was burning, as usual
hastily unbolted, uabarred and un-
locked the great front door, opened it
with a jerk, and threT myself into the
arms Of the Chidcster Brothers.
Il thought it was Jun-' l cried,
starting away.
snatching me TO him, a he rushed in
Are you all safe? No ono hurt .,
alp"
NO one! And nothing ta5enr'
just in time!'' exclaimed the
Chidesters-
just in time,' echoed Jim. Boys.
I can never half thank your
There We're others trooping in and
standing round me with startled and
admiriug face. \ dark and compac,
group wore uniform and carried them
selves with the easy manner OF men
10 whom nothing was new or shock
ing. In their midst, hatless and pale.
and oh! how ugly, mean and common, l
saw Mr. Heming.
l know now that there were not
more than five or six men altogether,
but that night they seemed To fill the
hall
Jennie, you are shaking with
chill!' cried Jim. You must go TO
bed 1T once III take you up"-for [
tightened my hold on him-..and call
the servants for you l expect they
are too frightened to come out of their
ROOM just make yourselves comfort
able, gentlemen; I'll be with you in
five minutes"
He marched me to my room, and
called nurse.
''Oh, Jim, one moment, please!
Where did you come from? And who
are the Chldesters?''
''First-rate felIows-my class. YOU
know. They telegraphed me. But /
can't stop, really. I'll be up again rs
soon as l can get away"
Then l covered my head among the
pillows and had a good, hard and
frightened cry FOR zCas frightened.
now that it was all over. Nurse did
her best for me by sending the boys to
bed and keeping the doors closed. BY
the time Jim tapped for admittance |
was quiet and ready TO hear his story.
We'll. Jennie wo've made a bic
haul That rascal is the mastcr-spiri
OF the gang which has been at work
round here for year or two. He's an
old hand at it. and his engagement
with Mr.. Brown was one of his clever
lodges. He Is IA druggist, as he Is half
dozen other things, but his letters
were forged The Chidesters saw him
once in Boston when he was on trial,
and they knew him At once when they
saw him here Thoy are wide awake.
both Of them About a week ago they
heard sOmething-I haven't got at the
bottom OF il yet but two men who
came to TomlinsOn for the night had
something TO do with (which put
them on the track OF tonight. and thev
wrote to me, but they had TO make il
cautious letter, and asked me to hold
myself in readiness for a telegram,
butnot to come without one. l was At
their cousins. They tclegraphed last
night, and met me at the train at the
next station. sgd says he was here
last evening, for he was half afraid |
might not get home, and he thought
he had better look round bit in case
any thing should come off to frighten
you BY the way. how IS it you never
met before?'
But why did he not tell me or some
one?' ! asked. passing the question.
Wanted TO catch the scamp, OF
course And there was no danger,
really. They did every thing in first
class style"
Worthy the Chidester Brothers, I
said, with "A little snesr
Brothers? Why. they arc cousins
double first, to be sure, and enough
alike TO be brothers. Rich as Jews
both of them, too"
Then. why are they dentists?'' 1
..Dentists?''
Jim's tone brought me upright in
bed.
Yes. dentists. And travelling dem
fists at that
never heard any one laugh as Jim
did. l waited and waited for him to
get through and tell me the joke until
| was fairly cross At last he wiped
his eyes. and with only an occasional
chuckle out it came.
They had laid a wager that they
could leave Boston in their own car
riage and drive for six months east,
west, north and south. just as they
chose. taking no money with them and
sending for none, but living honestly
by their wits.