Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1891-12-24

one house and Edith in the other after
each had succeeded in getting married.
He selected minister for Edith: but the
young lady did not favor her fathers
plan, and the domino made as poor
progress in his 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, friend who also
knew John Hendrickson and liked him
we'll
Meanwhile James Boulonger had act
ed as a confidential messenger between
his sister and her lover; and the three,
with Mr.. Belnap and Mrs. Roulonger as
confederates, devised an artful plan by
which it was hoped the elder Boulonger
might be persuaded to accept Hendrick-
son as son-in-law.
Atthe approach of the holiday season
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
binding snow storm James Boulonger
returned home at midnight. The rest
of the family were abed and asleep and
James retired to his couch without de-
lay.
An hour later the household were
startled from their slumbers by the cry:
'.Robbers, robbersI'
James BOulonger dashed out of his
bedroom and fired his pistol. Old Ru-
dolph was aroused, and with rifle in his
hand ran out of the sleeping apartment
on the first floor. Father and son met
in the dining room where much silver
ware, which it had been hoped would
grace the Christmas dinner the next day,
had been stored in sideboard. The
silver had not been disturbed.
ave are just in time," cried Rudolph.
The rascals would soon have secured
all af our silver had they had not been
frightened. dc not hear them, but they
have probably not gone from the honse.
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 man dart into an entry that led to
the cellar With hands that trembled
violently the old man raised his rifle and
fired at random. The room was filed
with smoke, and Rudolph was at the
He was not afraid of robber who re-
treated as ifhe were unarmed. Rudolph
put another cartridge in his gun and
quite boldly opened the door connecting
the entry with the cellar.
"For Gods sakew cried voice in the
darkness, ''do not shoot again. l am
John Hendrickson."
'Ha! it is you, you rascal. Just what
I've expected; you've become a robber.
I'll dispose of you so that you'll never
sell another dried up cow" shouted
Rudolph; and again he blazed away,
although he could not see Hendrickson.
Father, oh, father, spare him! 1t 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 a 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. 1 approached
this house in the midst of binding snow,
thinking it was the right one. l found
the door unlocked, but supposed Mr.
Belnap had forgotten to secure it after
him. l entered and locked the door.
Every object about me was familiar. |
descended to the kitchen and left my
coat and rubbers there. 1 then returned
to the parlor and lighted a lamp. Not
feeling sleepy, read for about an hour,
having found a copy of the same book
which 1 had been reading at Mr.. Bel
maps. About one o'clock went to the
bedroom which l supposed was mine,
and to my intense surprise found your
son in it. He was awake and was after
me with pistol in an instant. You
know the rest"
"Did you leave the door unloeked?"
asked Mr.. Boulonge, turning toward his
son.
81 declare, believe did" said James.
He did not add, however, that he had |
left the door unlocked purposely and
was not surprised by what had subse-
quently occurred.
Rudolph Boulonger shuddered, not |
knowing that he had been firing blank |
cartridges that had thoughtfully been
provided for his use, and was glad that
he had not killed an innocent man. He
felt that he had greatly wronged John
Hendrickson; he observed with alarm the
highlywrought feelings of his daughter;
his nerves were too much shaken for
him to deny that the twin houses which
his eccentricity had caused him to erect
and furnish alike were responsible for
the unwelcome occurrence, and he was
glad to make peace by giving the intru-
der permission to marry Edith.
The next day the family sat down to a
splendid Christmas dinner in their home,
and John Hendrickson, the unexpected
guest, was entertained by them in
very pleasant manner.
at is fitting occasion for reconcil-
iation," said Rudolph Boulonger, whose
recent experience had made him unusu-
ally regardful of religion. 81, for one,
am glad to feel the influences of the day
that has brought peace on earth and
good will to men,"
Theothers acquiesced in the worthy
sentiment
Mr.. and Mrs. John Hendrickson and
Mr.. and Mrs. James Boulonger now re-
side IN the twin houses, and every Christ
mas the two families and Mr.. and Mrs.
Rudolph Boulonger dine together in one ,
of the peculiar dwellings.
1t is said that on one of the happy oc-
casions Rudolph Boulonger was gently !
told of the ruse by which he had been ,
deceived, Edith and her husband ex-