Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-12-25

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ION. FATHERi SPARE HIM!"
syver You must recolIect that | have
studied the genus bovine scientifically.
/ have one hundred books relating to
the breeding and nurture of cattle and
to the diseases to which they are liable.
/ have read every one of these books
through and can speak with an authori-
ty unknown to the empirical farmers
in this neighborhood. | know when a
COW is in normal condition; and say
that the Jersey that you sold me was a
farrow cow that had long ceased to yield
any lacteal fluid"
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 a fool.
1t was 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-
garized by too much contact with rural
influences, and the family moved into
the city, where they boarded at a 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
80 cd
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 tNe young lady did
not favor her fathers plan, and the
dominic 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 n Mr. Belnap, a 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. Boulonger
as confederates, devised an artful plan
by which IL was hoped the elder Bou-
longer might be persuaded to accept
Hendrickson as a son-in-law.
At the approach of the holiday sea-
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, robbersr'
James Boulonger dashed out OF his
bedroom and fred his pistol. Old
Rudolph was aroused, and with a 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 il
had been hoped would grace the Christ
mas dinner the next day, had been
stored in a 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 n the
cellar. With hands that trembled vio-
fired at random. The room was filed
with smoke, and Rudolph was at the
same moment filled with confidence.
He was not afraid of robber who re-
treated as If he were unarmcd. Ru-
dolph put another cartridge in his gun
and quite boldly opened the door con-
Meeting the entry with the cellar.
"For Gods salScl" cried voice in the
darkness, ''do not shoot again. am
John Ilendrickson."
"Ha! it is you, you rascal. Just
what I've expected; you've become n
robbcr, 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
Iendricltson.
Father, oh, father, spare himl II is
all a dreadful mistallel' cried Edith, as
she pinioncd her infuriated parents
arms with her own.
Listen 20 nae just a moment" said
IlcndrclSson in excited tones as he ap-
pearcd from behind barrel when he
saw that there was TO be a cessation in
the hostilities. you know that have
house and the one in which he lives are
just alike outside and in. approached
this house IN the midst of binding
snow, thinking IL was the right one.
found the door unlocked, but supposed
Mr.. Bclnap had forgotten TO secure it
after him | entered and locked the
door Every object about me was fa-
miliar. | descended TO the kitchen and
left my coat and rubbers there. then
returned TO the parlor and lighted n
lamp. Not feeling sleepy ! read for
about an hour having found IA copy of
the same book which ! had been read
ing at Mr.. Belnap's About one o'clock
went 10 the bedroom which | sup
posed was mine, and TO my intense sur
prise found your son in il. He was
awake and was after me with n pistol
in an instant You know the rest
"Did you leave the door unloclscd?"
asked Mr.. Bouionger, turning toward
bis ron.