The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-05-14

llt the lamp, II always read it be-
fore go,to,Bed. You can 60 now if
youwish!"
NO" he said in a low, tone, IT'D
IKE to hear it,, mother used to read it
to NO.
So'Miss Keziah put on her gold-rim-
med'spectacles and read on in a hard,
rasplng tone from Luke, glancing up
at last to,see that he was nodding his
head dlhawing very hard time to
Keep his. eyes, open.
"Humph," said she, closing the
book, III guess you'd better 60 to
II am sleepy" he confessed, draw
ing his. hand across his eyes, 'but I
heard'it ALL" "
She called the cat in and saw that
everything WAS carefully locked and
bolted. Them she opened the door of
a llttle-ohamber adjoining the dining
room. ~ '>..-~
''That's where you're to Sleep" she
said brusquely. "Good night"
."Good night and thank you'll" was
much:''
/ She waited few minutes and then
with tho lamp went up stairs to her
room- ...
1--WE done very foolish thing I
know, "shegrimly said, "but Icouldn't
help thinking OF little Ephriam. How
can | tell what that boy is? He
MAY be in league with cut-throats and
robbers. It'll be a mercy if Pm not
killed tonight''
She. was very careful to look under
the bed before she retired and it was
SOME time before her eyes closed in
sleep.
S<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"
The katydids chirped outside and
| the crescent moon sank low. The old
| fashioned clock monotonously licked
| two hours away.
Suddenly the stiffness of the night
was broken by a tremendous noise,
and Miss Keziah, in her frilled cap,
sat up in bed.
"It'sjust as I thought" she groaned,
trembling like leaf. "He's let the
men in and they're ransacking 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
an excited voice call up:
"Don't be scared, ma am! I've got a.
man locked up in the closet. Come
down, quick"
The words brought confidence to
her, and, lighting her lamp, she quick
| ly dressed and went fearfully down
the stairs.
| Fierce but futile blows were being
rained against the stout oaken panels
OF her sitting-room closet, and she
could hear the smothered curses OF
some one inside.
AS she looked in the room she saw
the boy, with the hatchet tightly
grasped in his hand. His eyes were
| glowing with excitement.
"Pve got him!' he cried, "Never
fear, ma am, he can't get out"
"How did he get in?" asked Miss
Keziah, who was so weak that she
had to lean upon chair for sup.
port, '.'' -. 's@:5~.
'He came through the window and
woke me-" was the response. saw
him go to the closet and I locked him
in.'
"Well you're brave boy" said
Miss Keziah, "but there's no time to
speak of that now. I'd better 20 for
the Constable at once"
She hastily threw her shawl over
her head and left the house, while the
boy remained on guard, apparently
undisturbed by the threats and i'm.
precautions volleyed at him through
the keyhole.
Down theroad skinned Miss Keziah
like a frightened bird, and in a. short
space of time she was back with the
village policeman, constable and sew.
eral other men whom the worthy
preserver of the peace thought it pru.
dent to call upon to assist him.
The rObber was taken from the
closet in a half-suffocated condition
and marched to the town Lookup
while Miss Keziah endeavored to com.
pose her rufled feelings in sleep.
The next morning, after the break.
| Ae'oo w WA4Cn u0 LOU Oec1l 1uV4Ctu, 11el
small guest arose and said:
And now, ma am, think I will be
on my way. Is there anything else ]
can do for you before I go? Do you
want another pail of water brought
in?'
"Don't be in any hurry" said Miss
Keziah, and she laid one hand upon
his curly head. GIVE changed my
mind; I do want boy, and you're
the very boy want. Pm getting old,
and need some one to drive those
chickens out if they come in again,
not to mention anything ofburglars. "
Cincinnati Post.
| A Street In Sophia.
Irecall now that vast band of stag
| mani 61,ct lao Iipo fro,,, +bo e4o 49,, =,