Griggs courier., 1891-03-06

). '-.-.
false movement made to pounce out
and kill me.
I judged at least several hours Of that
torture must be endured ere the blessed
daylight came and fervently prayed
that both Of us could or would hold out
till then.
Long sat there forcing myself to be
calm and planning how was to get my
door opened without causing suspicion,
which would bring ON an attack at
once. must communicate in some
way unknown to the villain in the
closet. In my trunk was paper and
pencil. I got them and going to my
bed where could be unseen managed
to scrawl in the dark as follows:
"Help! but be careful! Man under the
bed-now hiding in closet watching
me. Hall door locked. can't get out.
Be quick
Then slipped the note und~r the
door trusting it would be found by
some one and went back to my chair
by the fire and waited.
Would daylight ever come? Looking
out of the corners Of my eyes could
see that awful closet door keep softly
moving, as the burglar was observing
me, and once, when at the bureau,
got back glimpse in the glass of his
black face and shining eyes. I almost
screamed, and thought it was all up
with me, for the demon seemed coming
out, but when turned prepared to
meet him with my hot poker the door
quickly closed, and breathed again.
By and by heard a rooster crow,
and my courage was renewed. The
gray of the welcomed dawn began to
appear. Soon came footsteps through
the hall, nearer-to my door-past it
gone. My letter wasn't noticed.
Now was my greatest danger, for,
may be, the robber would fear to wait
for daylight and folks to be about be.
fore making dash to get out, by the
window, if necessary, and kill me in
the attempt. There had been and was
no use for me to call assistance. Before
it could come would have been slashed
with the black fiend's razor or throttled
by his long, wiry fingers. Hark! More
footsteps outside. Coming-passing-
going-No! thank Heaven, they stopped
and heard the rustic of the letter as
twas picked up. o, would the finder
have sense to understand it? TIE foot
steps left me and in worse suspense
than before waited and watched the
closet. After what seemed an age o1
agonizing fear, again came the sound.
of advancing feet in the hall and key
was inserted gently in the lock. Then
praise the Lord-the door swung open
and in bounded my nephew with re
volver, the hired man with pitchforh
and Bridget with an axe, all followed
at safe distance by the rest of the
family. Up 1 jumped and shouted
''Come out, you black rascal and sur
reDder!" No reply or sound came from
the closet. Then, when we all were ir
position, in the van with my glowing
fiery poker for a good jab at the villain
and the rest with weapons appraised
my nephew sent a bullet, bang! through
the closet door. Like flash it burst
wide open, and out leaped the biggest,
ugliest, blackest-CAT ever laid eyes
on, and that, as we plainly saw, was
the only burglar in there.
| Quicker than l can tell, the knowl
edge came to me in all its horror that
was still in night-cap and gown, will
my side curls and other feminine ap
pendages lying around for them all t.
see. With a blood-curdling shrek,
dropped the hot poker on the cooks
feet, sprang in the closet, pulled tigh
the door, and yelled: "Go away! Shu
your eyes! Go out!' Their laughter
on doing SO, nearly gave me a fit, it wa.
SO heartlessly provoking.
And now my story is done, for ther,
wasn't any burglar at all-not even .
stuffed one, as l had foolishly supposed
The whole thing was nightmare
first and vivid Imagination after, al
the result of my looking for forty year,
under the bed for horrid man ant
finding only an innocent cat.
But it cured me forever of that non
sense, and although never hear tn,
end of the jokes about it I'm happiel
and sleep better than before. Now VIII,
wants to buy q good poker with blu
ribbon attachment?
It will be sold cheap.-H. c. Dodge
in Goodall's Sun.