The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-10-22
done nv own work for wears.

done nv own work for years.
Il didn't know but you might" he
said disappointedly. Thank you.
ma'am for the money. It's getting
dark and I'm so tired / can hardly
walk; would you mind if l slept in
your barn Tonight?
Miss Keziah was IA very cautious
spnster. but her heart was touched
with very strong feelin" of pity.
Up in the cemetery on the hill. where
blackberry vines and golden rod ran
riot all summer little Ephraim. the
child her dying brother had left in her
charge. lay sleeping. What if he
were out in the great world instead,
and frendless like this little chap?
'l'll give YOU bed Tonight she
said rather huskily. and you can be
on your way in the morning"
He wiped his shoes very carefully
OH the mat, and sat down in one of the
stiff backed chairs of her prim sitting
room.
Il don't suppose you care to hear
the Bible" she said auSiercIv. rs she
lit the lamp. Il always read it be-
fore 90 to bed. You can 20 now ii
You wish. "
No" he said in low tone" I'd
like TO hear it, mother used TO read it
to me-
SO Miss Keziah put on her gold
trimmed spectaces and read on in a
hard, raspinw tone from Luke. 9lanc-
ing up at last to see that he WI. nod
ding his head and having very hard
time TO keep his eyes open.
"Humph." said she, closing the
book Il guess you'd better 60 to bed"
Il am sleepy" he confessed. draw
ing his hand across his eyes, but l
heard it ALL
She called the cat in and saw that
everything was carefully locked and
bolted. Then she opened the door Of
q little chamber adjoining the dining
room.
That's where you're to sleep" she
said brusqucly. Good night!'
Good night and thank You" was
his res ponse. Thank you very pluch:"
She waited few minutes and their
with the lamp went up stairs to her
room.
I've done Il very foolish thing. /
know" she grinly said. but | could
not help thinking of little Ephriam.
How can tcll what that boy is? He
may be in league with cut-throats and
robbers. It'll be Il mercy if I'm not
killed to-nirhti'
She was very careful to look under
the bed before she retired and it was
some time before her eyes closed in
sleep.
He has an honest-looking face"
was the last thing she said; but one
can't tell about people nowadays. He
may be waiting even now to let those
men in.
Suddenly the stiffness of the nigh.
was broken by tremendous noise, and
Miss KeziaII. in her frlled cap, sat up
III bed.
Its just as thought" she groan-
ed, trembling like a leaf. He's let
the men in and they're rarsacking the
house. Why didn't | put that interest
money in the bank?"
She was about to fly to the window
and scream for help when she heard
IA excited voice call up:
Don't he scared. ma'amI I've got a
man looked up in the closet. Come
down. quick"
The words brought confidence to
her and. lighting her lamp, she
quickly dressed and went fearfully
down the stairs
Fierce but futile blows were being
raiued against The stout oaken panels
OF her sitting-room closet. and she
could hear the SIN othercd curses of
some one inside.
AS she looked in the room she saw
the boy, with the haichet tightly
crasped in his hand. His eyes were
glowing with excitement.
I've got him!' he cried. Never
fear. ma'am. he can't get out"
How did he get in?' asked Miss
heziah, who was so weak that she had
to lean upon a chair for support.
He came through the window and
woke me-" was the response. | saw
him 20 to the closet and locked him
i'm
"Well, you're n brave bov." said
Miss Krziah, 'tbut there's no time to
speak of that now. I'd better 90 for
The Constable ut once"
She hastily threw her shawl over her
he al aud left the house. while the boy
rel oaincd on guard, apparently undis-
turf ied hy the threats and impreca.
tions volicyed at him through the key
hole.
Do VII the road skinned Miss Keziah
like a frightened bird. and in short
space of time she was back with the
village policeman. constable and
several other men whom the worthy
preserNrcr of the peace thought it
prG3ent 10 call upon TO assist him.
The Tobber was taken from the
closet in Il half-surocated condition
and marcb ed to the town lookup,
while Miss keziah cndeavored 10 COM
pose her ru1fied feelings in sleep.
The next morning after the break |
fa st to which he had been invited. her
small guest arose and said:
And now, ma'am. | think / will be
on Ivy way. Is there anything else | |
can GO for you before | 90? Do you
want another pail of water brought in?"
Dom be in any harry" said Miss |
Keziah and she laid one hand upon |
his curly head. I've changed my |
mind; [ do want boy. and you're the |
very boy | want. I'm getting old, and |
| need some one to drive those chick
ems out if they come in again not to
anything of burglars. -Cls-
ciIlndtj Post.
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