Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-01-24

there was no doubt that Selma would
be sent to her shortly-in fact, so she
was.
In less than week the girl stood in
her kitchen, and greeting her with a
curtsy taught in the workhouse, and
performed by knocking the knees
together and ducking suddenly. re-
ported as follows:
81 didn't know which the house wus,
mum. but the voices sez, Open the
yaller gate SEE they. and SO l got
here all right, mum"
Mrs. Patterson had had very COM
mon-place life, and what mortal does
not yearn for something uncommon
something marvellous to talk aboutP
To have bound girl from the work
house who could listen to spirit-voices,
and not only hear them say, Make
cake, company is coming" but to tell to
a.dead certainty when they had melons
at the store, or when a strange preacher
was to occupy the pulpit on Sunday,
was very wonderful.
Then, sometimes, Selma would put a
silk handkerchief over her head, and
hear the voices say all sorts of things,
amusing the guests in the evening
as even singing to the melodeon could
not.
Mrs. Patterson grew fond of Selma,
although it worried her a little to
know she was looking in her face when
the village church, and finally her
faith in her became so great that she
took all she said as she would a COM
munication from an angel.
Meanwhile, Selma was clever with
her hands, and gave ample satisfaction
as a servant.
There was but one mystery about
her. The authorities had insisted on
her having every Sunday afternoon to
herself, "as a means of grace" and
she took it religiously, but never de-
clared where she spent these hours of
freedom, and certainly did not go to
church.
Selma had been in Mrs. Patterson's
house for six months, and Miss Par
thenia Waldo was returning her
friends visit. when one night, after the
ladies had retired for the night, hav-
ing goSsiped for half an hour at least
after the lights were out they were
awakened by a creaking of the door
and step upon the floor.
Mrs. Patterson instantly sat up, and
by such faint glimpses of the moon as
came through the Sits of the green
shutters, saw Selma glide into the
room.
THAT you, child?" she cried; and
Selma answered:
"Oh yes, ma'am. The notes.-the
Yoices-they are dreadful. They said
| must come and speak to you-they
said danger"
"Ugh-ugh!' shuddered Miss Par
thenia, under the bed-clothes.
"How awful!''
First L thought It was fire." said
Selma. But now | hear 'em palmer.
Burr-burr! What can it beP Burr
burrI"
Burglars" cried Miss Parthenia,
with her teeth chattering.
Yes, miss" replied Selma; ''that's
it. Burglars coming"
eff Selma says so, it's So" said Mrs.
Patterson. Burglars, and the house
up here, where we can't make any
body hear, if we holler ever so loud.
Oh, dear, dear, why didn't 1 put my
money in the bank? Why did | think
it was safer in the closet under the
stairs, with my patent lock, and my
silver in there, too? Banks do break,
but burglars is wuss. Oh, dear!''
''And I've got my watch and my
diamond ring, and great-grandmoth-
er's gold beads, down here,n sighed
Parthenia.
The voices say they're down cellar
already" said Selma.
eve shall all be murdered in car
CORY beds, said Mrs. Patterson.
ugh, ugh, ugh' shivered Par
thenia; Il feel like I'd got a chill"
1.-The voices are giving advice" sasl
Selma.
Tell us what they say, my child"
said Mrs. Patterson.
"They say-give Selma the keys"
said the girl. ''Let her bring every
thing up in clothes-basket; the bur
glars won't come up until they think
you are asleep. She'll lock the closet
again, and you can easy GIT out on the
kitchen she'd"
80 we could" said Mrs. Patterson.
"And send folks over," said Selma,
''to arrest EN-"
$50 we could" said Mrs. Patterson.
But burst you go DOWN."
1.-THE voices say l sha'n't be hurt"
said Selma. You see, a bound girl
wouldn't have any money-they'd
know that"
"Well, you're a brave little crea-
ture!" said Mrs. Patterson. There's
a big tin box, and little box, and a
wash-leather bag, and pocket-book
and the silver is in cases all but tea
pot, cream-jug, and sugar-basin. Fetch
'em and we'll dress meanwhile"
She gave the keys to Selma, who
stole away and shortly returned with
a basket packed full and covered with
a tablecloth. Then the three women
got out upon the kitchen shed, thence
to the cistern-cover, and so to earth;
and having logged the basket. with
many stumbles, over the fields to
Squire Cluppin's mansion called upon
him for protection.
The story they told was exciting.
The squire sent two constables, called
ND a number of neighbors, and a small
army marched down to Mrs. Patter-
sons house to arrest the burglars.
land all because of Selma's yoices,s
said Mrs. Patterson. ''Angel voices. I
call 'em from to-day. l shall give her
a new silk dress, and treat her as a
daughter. Why, it is wonderful!
Where is the child?"
"Why, Where is she?" repeated Miss
Parthenia.
..Gone back with the men, | guess,
said the squire's wife. 81 never be-
lieved about those voices before, but
after this-I wish she'd; | want to give