The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-01-24

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Selma. too, for she's handy; but she
said girl that was as crazy as that
wouldn't do for her. She thinks that
it's redheditary, or hinreditary, or
whatever. What is that where your
folks kinder hands it down TO you like
property? Her mother was gypsy
fortune-teller, and was taken sick and
died here. I'm sure don't know. The
doctor don't believe in it all-thinks it
is her tricks. So should l, only she
found my new kid glove that | lost
said the voices told her to look under
the bench in the depot; and there it
was. And Billy, when he wandered
off one day, the voices said he was on
the bridge, and that was true. But if
you don't mind voices, Mrs. Patterson
-
"a amt easy skeered." replied that
experienced lady.
And so it was decided that her ap-
plication should be laid before the
board, and as she was the widow of a
respected citizen, and a rate-payer,
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:
II didn't know which the house wus,
mum. but the voices sez, Open the
yaller gate. SEE they, and So got
here all right, num-"
Mrs. Patterson had had q very COM
mon-place life, and what mortal does
not yearn for something uncommon
something marvellous to talk about?
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,n but to tell to
dead certainty when they had melons
at the store, or when strange preacher
was to occupy the pulpit ON Sunday,
was very wonderful.
Then, sometimes, Selma would put q
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 little To
know she was looking in her face when
her eyes seemed fixed on the steeple of
the village church, and finally her
faith in her became so great that she
took all she said rs she would COM
munication from an angel.
Meanwhile, Selma was clever with
her hands, and gave ample satisfaction
as servant.
There was but one mystery about
her. The authorities had insisted on
her having every Sunday afternoon to
herself, ''as Il 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 tue
ladies had retired for the night, hav-
ing gossiped for half an hour at least
after the lights were out, they were
awakened by creaking of the door
and a 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, childPr she cried; and
Selma answered.:
"Oh yes. ma'am. The notes.-the
voices-lhey are dreadful. They said
/ must come and speak to you-they
said danger"
"Ugh-ughm shuddered Miss Par
thenia, under the bed clothes.
"How awfuH'
First l thought it was fire." said
Selma. but now l hear 'em plalner.
Burr-burr! What can it beP Burr
burrr'
''Burglars!" cried Miss Parthenia,
with her teeth chattering.
Yes, MISS" replied Selma; ''that's
it. Burglars coming"
''If Selma says SO, it's so," said Mrs
Patterson. Burglars, aud the house
up here, where we can't make any,
body hear, if we holler ever so loud.
Oh, dear, dear, why didn't put my
money in the banke Why did | think
it was safer in the closet under the
stairs, with my patent lock, and my
silver in there. tOoP 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" sighed
Parthenia.
1.-The voices say they're down cellar
said Selma.
"We shall all be murdered in our
CORY BEDS" said Mrs. Patterson.
ugh, ugh, ugh" shivered Par
thenia; II feel like I'd got chill"
"The voices are giving advice,r said
Selma.
"Tell us what they say, my child"
said Mrs. Patterson.
They say-giye Selma the keys"
said the girl. s'Let her bring every
thing up in a 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 'em."
$50 we couN," said Mrs. Patterson.
But burst you go down?"
'rhe voices say sha'n't be hurt"
said Selma. You see, bound girl
wouldn't have any money-they'd
know that"
.'Well, you're brave little crea-
turew said Mrs. Patterson. There's
4 big tin box, and little box, and
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 aud 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 lugged the basket, with
many stumblcs. 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
up number of neighboEs, and small
army marched down to Mrs. Patter-
sons house to arrest the burglars.
And all because of Selma's voices"
said Mrs. Patterson. "Augel voices. l
call 'em from to-day. shall give her
a new silk dress, and treat her as a
daughter. Why, it is wonderful!
Where is the child?"
"Why, Where is shep" repeated Miss