Nevada County picayune., 1889-07-10
# "a needle in a stack of hay. N


 and blankets were piled on him while down stairs Miss Pilkins made steaming toddy, and cook prepared a supper "to be took sizzlin' hot"
 Under these combined influences - but more especially that of the strong toddy-Mr. Tominson soon fell into a calm and unconscious slumber.
 He did not hear the clock on the mantlepiece strike ten (Sam was an unusually long time in returnng) :, nor sec the open door, and portlv old gentleman enter, and at sight of him, stand as if petrilied.
 And it was not until the old gen tleman, after twice rubbing his eyes and turning first pale and then fiery red, suddenly found his voice. did MT. Tomlnson start from his peace ful repose.
 "lello. What is the meaning of this?"
 At the sound of that awful voice. the household rushed up stairs-all but Maudc, who immediately tainted dead away in her room.
 Miss Pilkins grasped her brothers arm.
 'Hram, listen to me-let me ex- plain!'
 Explain" roared Mir. Hogan. "Didn't turn this fellow out of my doors few hours aeo?-and don't 1 come home to find him not only again in my house, but in my room in my bed? And by the everlasting hokey,' as agitated Tomlinson rose up in bed, ''in my very clothes! Where are my pistols? Let me get at him, Let me fling him out of the window-'
 But here the cook and housemald rushed m, with shrill screams, and while the former, assisted by Miss Pilkins, dragged infuriated Hogan backward out of the room. Betty hastily locked the door and put the key in her pocket.
 Left thus alone, Tomlinson armed himself with the only weapon which presented-the fire tongs-and facing the door, stood breathlessly awaiting the further course of events.
 He heard the retreating footsteps and voices die away and a door vio- lently slam.
 Then ensued five minutes of dead silence, at the end of which time quick and heavy steps came along the passage and the door knob i'm patiently rattled.
 Augustus nerved himself, raised the tongs above his head bravcly and prepared to defend his life.
 Light steps now ran along the pas sage, the key turned in the lock and the door flew open, revealing Mir. Hogan, his sister and the female servants. He advanced toward Tom linson with outstretched arms and tears in his eyes.
 MT. Tomlinson My dear young friend, How can atone for my late nasty conduct ?-how thank you sufficiently for so heroically saving the life of my only and darling childE"
 The tongs fell from the young mans hands as Maude's agitated father seized and shook them, with q vigor that wrought tears into his own eyes.
 Cook and Betty were already sobbing,
 MT. Hogan, sir" commenced Augustus, with as much dignity as was consistent with the situation and his peculiar attire, Il must protest. You greatly overrate-"
 But just here he was aware of covert signals from Miss Pilkins, who was lowering anXiously in the back ground.
 You need not deny it, Mir. Tom linson," she said, aloud. But for you and your heroic cxertions, where would our beloved Maude at this moment be?'
 An sure she looked, a-lyin' there on the lib'ry sofy, wit her eyes shut, an white as a sheet, jes' for all the worl' like the corpse she would a been now, but for hlm," said cook who, by reason of long and faithful service, was privileged person in the household.
 "Come down stairs and see her, !" said MT. Hogan, eXcitedly.
 And seizing Mir. Tomlinson by the arm, he led him to where Maude, recovered from her fainting fit and flushed with the joy of sudden and unexpected happiness, was awaiting him.
 You saved her life" said the agi- tated father, "and she belongs to you. There, take her. and may heaven bless you both :"
 Everybody retired from the room in tears, leaving the happy lovers to ] themselves.