Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1891-12-23

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''oH. FATHER! SPARE H1M!"
Hendrickson soon left in disgust.
Had he not loved the daughter deeply,
he would have objected to marrying
into family the head of which was so
great fool.
1t was a sad Christmas eve for the
lovers. John bade Edith farewell with
the knowledge that long time would
probably elapse before they could meet
again.
As for Mr. Boulonger, he made up his
mind that his children were being vul-
CARRIED by too much contact with rural
influences, and the family moved into
the city, where they boarded at hotel
during the greater part of the next
year. In conformity with his eccentric
tendencies Mr.. Boulonger, when spring
arrived, set about carrying into effect a
long cherished plan. He purchased
two adjoining building lots in the sub
urbs of Boston and erected upon them
two large square houses that were
built and painted just alike. He also
furnished the houses so carefully and ar
ranged their contents so Systematically
that the interiors of the structures were
exactly similar. His son and daughter
were twins, he said, and ought to live
in twin houses, his design being to have
James live in one house and Edith in
the other after each had succeeded in
getting married. He selected a minis
ter for Edith; but the young lady did
not favor her fathers plan, and the
iroin 10 1
courtship as he did in writing sermons
that contained original and interesting
ideas.
Finding that his children would not
marry Immediately, Mr.. Boulonger
moved with his family into one of the
furnished houses and rented the other
house to Mr.. Belnap, a friend who
also knew John Hendrickson and liked
him well.
Meanwhile James Boulonger had act
ed as a confidential messenger between
his sister and her lover; and the three,
with Mr.. Belnap and Mrs. Boulonger
as confederates, devised an artful plan
by which it was hoped the elder Bou-
longer might be persuaded to accept
Hendrickson as son-in-law.
son the young farmer came to Boston
and became the guest of Mr.. Belnap,
much to the annoyance of Rudolph
Boulonger.
Nothing of interest occurred until
Christmas eve. Then in the midst of
a binding snowstorm James Boulonger
returned home at midnight The rest of
the family were abed and asleep and
James retired to his couch without
delay.
An hour later the household were
startled from their slumbers by the cry:
Robbers, robbers
James Boulonger dashed out of his
bedroom and fred his pistol. Old
Rudolph was aroused, and with rife
In his hand ran out of his sleeping
apartment on the first floor Father
and son met in the dining-room where
much expensive silverware, which it
had been hoped would grace the Christ
mas dinner the next day, had been
stored in sideboard. The silver had
not been disturbed.
1--WE are just in time," cried Rudolph.
''The rascals would soon have secured
all of our silver had they not been
frightened. | do not hear them, but
they have probably not gone from the
house. They are undoubtedly armed
and may fight desperately"
His ardor was not SO great as it was
at first. But James was full of prowess
and his father reluctantly followed him
to the kitchen.
''There he isl" cried Rudolph, as he saw
a man dart into an entry that led to the
cellar. With hands that trembled vio-
lently the old man raised his rife and
fired at random. The room was filed
with smoke, and Rudolph was at the
same moment filed with confidence.
He was not afraid of robber who re-
treated as if he were unarmed. Ru-
dolph put another cartridge in his gun
and quite boldly opened the door con-
Meeting the entry with the cellar.
For Gods sake!" cried voice in the
darkness, do not shoot again. l am
John Hendrickson."
Hal it is you, you rascal Just
what I've expected; you've become a
robber. Ill dispose of you so that
you'll never sell another dried m
cow" shouted Rudolph; and again he
blazed away, although he could not see
Hendrickson.
Father. oh, father, spare him! It is
all dreadful mistaken cried Edith. as
she pinioned her infuriated parents
arms with her own.
Listen to me just moment" said
Hendrickson In excited tones as he ap-
peared from behind barrel when he
saw that there was to be a cessation in
the hostilities. "You know that have
been visiting Mr.. Belnap, and that this
house and the one In which he lives are
just alike outside and in. approached
this house in the midst of binding
snow, thinking it was the right one.
found the door unlocked, but supposed
Mr.. Belnap had forgotten to secure it
after him. | entered and locked the
door. Every object about me was IA
miliar. ! descended to the kitchen and
left rny coat and rubbers there. l then
returned to the parlor and lighted a
lamp. Not feeling sleepy ! read for
about an hour, having found copy of
the same book which l had been read
ing at Mr.. Belnap's. About one o'clock
] went to the bedroom which / sup
posed was mine. and to my intense sur
prise found your son in it. He was
Awake and was after me with : pistol