Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-07-03

his hand across his eyes, 'but heard
1t ALL" .-,a
She called the cat in and Saw that
everything was carefully locked and
bolted Then she opened the door of
little chamber adjoining the dining
room.
"That's where you're to sleep" she
said, brusquely Good nightr'
Good night and thank you'll" was
his response. "Thank You very muchl"
She waited few minutes and then
with the lamp went upstairs to her
room.
''I've done very foolish thing,
know" she grimly said, but couldn'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 I'm not killed to-
night"
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"
The katydids chirped outside and the
crescent moon sank low The old-fash-
Toned clock monotonously licked two
hours away.
Suddenly the stiffness of the night
was broken by tremendous noise, and
Miss Keziah, in her frilled cap. sat up
in bed.
''It's just as thought" she groaned,
trembling like leaf Hes 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'aml I've got a
man locked up in the closet. Come
down, quickl"
The words brov ,ht confidence to her,
and, lighting her lamp, she quickly
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 Ratchet tightly
grasped in his hand. His eyes were
glowing with excitement.
1--WE got himl" he cried. "Never fear,
ma'am, he can't get out"
How did he get imp" asked Miss
Keziah, who was SO weak that she had
to lean upon chair for support
'He came through the window and
woke me, was the response. 81 saw
him go to the closet and locked him
In"
"Well, you're brave boy" said Miss
Keziah, "but there's no time to speak
of that now. I'd better GO for the con.
stable at once"
She hastily threw her shawl over hel
head and left the house, while the boy
remained on guard, apparently undis.
turbed by the threats and imprecations
volleyed at him through the keyhole.
Down the road skinned Miss Keziah
like frightened bird, and In a short
space of time she was back with the
village policeman, constable and severa
other men whom the worthy preservel
of the peace thought it prudent to cal
upon to assist him,
The robber was taken from the closet
in half-suffocated condition anc
marched to the town lookup, while
Miss Keziah endeavored to compose her
rufaed feelings in sleep.
The next morning, after the break
fast to which he had been invited, hel
small guest arose and said:
And now, ma'am, think | will bt
on my way, Is there any thing else
can do for you before | go? Do 20,
want another pail Of water brough
imp"
Don't be in any hurry" said Mis-
Keziah, and she laid one hand upon hi
curly head. 1--WE changed my mind;
do want a boy, and you're the very boy
want I'm getting old, and neeC
some one to drive those chickens GU
if they come in again, not to mention
anything Of burglars" Cincinnati
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