Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1889-03-21

over the pile of sticks. This was too
much. His wife Was brute to ex.
pect him TO work like slave during
the few moments be could call his own
free from business drudsery. But il
be gave up be would never hear the
last of ii. Oh. If be could only get
rid Of that cav jack
A long time he pondersd. at last q
smile of JOY illuminated his face. That
night, after bis wife had retired. Mr..
Moussr clipped out and carried that
hated green object to the front gate.
Presto. in the morning the thing souId
be gone. The highway Was full Of
robbers. Who would stssl anything
and everything. he would make a
big fuss about the loss. bat take good
care not to buy . second ssw jack.
He slept the sleep Of the just until
about four o'clock 10 the morning. Il
was still dark. but his anxiety to as.
sure himself Of the loss of his ,rouble
caused him to sneak out and recon.
noitre. The jack was still there. Mr..
Mouser whispered--not q prayer.
"Oh, we'll, there 10 time enough still
between this hour and daylight for
theft to be committed he muttersd.
1t was the voice Of Mrs. Mouser that
awakened him in time for breakfast.
He glanced out of the window the
first thing. Oh. how brightly the sun
shons. and that saw jack cleaned up
at him in all it's verdsnt beauty. No
robber hand hand had carried il away.
A fearful sigh escaped the Moussr bo-
som.
"You must saw some wood for me
before you go, DEAR" said his wife.
what more wood p
Eyes, dear; recollect you only saw
ed one stick last evening" rejoined
Mrs Mouser, meekly, but a wicked
gleam of mischief played about her
eyes and mouth.
Mr.. Houser ignored her reply, and
fastened to work with his pretty tools
with vigor born of awful fury, but
way down his soul voice groa ned,
that saving jack must go
Where? whence? how?
Mr.. Mouser was q man Of resour.
ces. Twelve o'clock, midnight. A
burglarish darkness and silence brood.
ed around as a man stole from his
soft couch. and. grabbing his trousers.
left cosy bed room. A little later,
the only other active creature about,
feline prima donna. might have wit
messed sorry sight; q solitary m an
marching downward. clutching in his
strong right hand a beautifully paint.
ed saving jack. Soon he returned.
The jsck-oh, wAsre was it2
Mr.. Mouser rose that morning in q
most delightful frame of mind.
"Lizbeth, my dear little Lizbeth,"
he exclaimed friskly. 81 am going to
work in earnest to day. / am feeling
fine, much better than I have for
some time. Here. feel this arm. How's
that for muscle. Ell? That's what
saving wood has done for your hus-
band 2"
Lizbeth blinked oddly, but looked
contented. Mr.. Mouser fastened out
to flip off stick or two before break.
fast" but soon came in, looking quite
angry and puzzled.
What in the world has become of
that jack 2" 1t was gone. "Such in.
famy-to steal ones very implements
Of toll T. he cried 10 rage, as he sent
for the old wood sawyer again.
Mr.. Mouser. Of course, grieved over
bis loss, but managed to conquer the
regret sufficiently to display some of
his old wit and mirth. But this good
feeling received sudden check the
morning after the burglary of the
jack. He had just opened the daily
paper when his glance was arrested
BY paragraph.
"Lizbeth, look at this
Mrs. Mouser. became alarmed. Her
husband was pale as death and trem.
bling in every limb as he handed her
the paper. She read
"The residence of the Honorable
Herr Oliver was broken into night be.
fore last and large sum of money
aud valuable plate and jewelry stolen.
The robbers entered by the garden
window, from which they had remov.
ed the iron grating. while standing on
singular wooden object recogniz. d
by old-fashionel country foIks a. q
sawbnck. 1t 10 painted light green,
and will doubtless prove a valuable
clew toward tracing the miscresnts.
A thousand dollars reward il offered
for return Of jewslry or Information
leading to the arrest of the robbers.
why. this is splendid You can at