Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-07-24

| rat. "HoWlYer, ii take 1areWeu Iooh
inside before l 60"
So sayidg he went into the house, clos
ing the door carefully behind him. Soon
he came out with handful of the for
hidden shortcake. and without waiting
for any one TO take his place as sentinel,
he marched off down the road.
Miss Rachel looked very brave as she
came home bringing the old gun, which,
she explained to her father, was for
their mutual defence. But for ali this
she was very careful to make every door
and window fast before retiring. In the
pantry she found crumbs scattered on
the floor, and other evidences of med
ding fingers.
Couldn't have been Pat-he wouldn't
have dared. Father, where is that bOy?"
"Gone, home, s'pose; didn't you tell
him to clear out?"
swell, yes, s'pose did; but he might
a-stayed till L come back. Some one
has been in here. and no knowing who's
hid in the house."
"Some ones stole my boots,' said the
old man from the bedroom, where he
was hanging round the chairs in fruit
less search for the missing articles.
"Prob1y that boys took en- re-
marked Miss Rachel.
Then taking her gun in one hand and
candle in the other, she went up stairs.
Here an awful sight met her gaze; one
look she gave, then went noiselessly
down stairs to consult her father.
'Father," said she, in an awful whis
per, ''father, there's mana tramp
under my bedr'
'Oh, pshaw, now, Rachel You're
losing your wits"
81 say there is! l saw him"
"Humph! Why didn't you shoot him?"
"Now | guess L know what I'm say
ingl Come along and see for yourself
if yon don't believe it. Sh-sh-! Be
still now-well have him.
Cautiously they crept up the stairs,
the old man hiding a skeptical grin, but
look convinced even him. Probably
the scamp thought he was hidden. So
he was, only one foot showed fully, and
little farther boot toe peeped out
from the dainty white ruffies of the bed
valance.
Miss Rachel executed war dance
outside the door, and her father scratch
ed his head in perplexity.
"a man in my room-mine?" whisper
ed she angrily.
"How shall we get him out?" ques-
toned her father.
81 know" said she. "The miserable
critter amt stirred since first saw him;
probl'y he's asleep; he's had his supper
I know by the crumbs L saw in the
pantry. Now, I'm stouter'n you be, so
I'll Just go in, still as mouse, and get
hold of both feet and yank him clean
out into the middle of the floor, and you
give him crack over the head with
that gun"
'All right; We'll try it."
"My gracious! What if he should
catch hold of me?" she asked.
"Pshaw, now, don't be scairt! The
scamp is asleep, or he'd a-stirred afore
now. You just go still; be sure you get
good hold, then yank as though all
creation had him. Maybe you'd better
yell, too; it'll help scare him.
"I'll fix himI I'll larn the varmint to
find some other place to sleep 'cept un
der my bed. Just give me one good
chance at him-Ill-Ill-"
Boiling with rage, she tip-toed care
fully across the room, and STOPPING, slid
her hand under the ankle of each boot.
Then with such a scream as only en-
ragged women and catamounts are capa-
BILE of she yanked. Such howl of rage
and fear combined! For one moment
she flourished both arms aloft in vain
endeavor to regain her balance, then sat
down on the floor with force that made
the windows rattle, while in each hand
she held her fathers missing boots.
He stared at her, she at him. Then,
with look which said plainly, "SOld, +"
he said
"Gimme my boots, Rachel; guess I'll
take them and the gun down stairs;
guess you won't be troubled no more to-
night"
She sat there on the floor and thought
long and earnestly of a young Hiberni
an. How she longed for him then!
And away down the track, in rail-
road shanty, freckled faced boy was
wondering what his dear Miss Rachel
was thinking about.