The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-11-29

sewed at a window. Mrs. Jameson
was not in, having gone to visit a sick
noighbor.
Without a word the old man passed
into his chamber and there Sc ;reted the
ten pounds, frowning as he did SO.
I'll send that fellow packin' soon,
whether l find him stealth or not" he
mutoered. sit amt none too comfort,
able a feelin' to know you've got to
lock up every shillin' you got and not
tell anybody where you put it."
He ate his supper that evening in
silence, Jennie and Dick chattering in
cessantly, and Mrs Jameson told about
every ache and pain that racked the
woman she had been to visit.
But the miller could only wonder
whether that frank, manly face and
those CHEEKY tones of his employer be-
longed to a knave and sc oundrel.
An Jennie and him seemed to I'M
derstand n another far too we'll" he
soliloquized. Il used to like the lad.
but I'd as lief see my girl care for old
blind Jack, the fiddler, as this finegea-
tleman. AS reenes says, he's too fancy
about himself to be honest. I've heard
the greater the rascal the more genteel,
an 1 guess I'll load the rifle"
He did loadhi rifle and placed i. near
his bed, telling his wife that he 'warn't
going to lose any more money, but the
first one that came for dishonest pur-
poses would lose his life
Mrs Jameson was very nervous con-
corning the proximity of the rife; she
begged her husband to put it further
away, declaring he might touch it in
his sleep an make the thing go off "
and probably kill her.
Il never move in my sleep, so you
needn't be scared" he told her. elf 1
touch the gun you "a De sure it will
go off, but I'll not touch it in my sleep.
l sleep like an honest man, I do"
So he went to bed and thought more
of his daughter than of the money I'M
der the carpet. However, he did think
of bis money sometimes, and, in fact,
his thoughts ran from that to Jennie,
as the thoughts of the money lender ran
from his ducats to his daughter.
at last he slept, but not any too
soundly, Dreams visited him and I'm
pleasant ones they were. Vision after
vision came and faded, and his wife
was alarmed beyond measure to see his
unconscious hands go out again and
again, ~perilousIy near sometimes to the
loaded rife.
It was midnight before she slept at
all. " then her sleep was profound.
1t was broken at last by the strangest
and most thrilling of sounds, no less
startling than a heavy fall and a loud,
harsh, reverberating report as though
a cannon had been fired through the
door.
There was a rush of feet in the hall
without; a stout shoulder sent the door
inward with a crash, and Dick Levoe,
who had made this unceremonious en
trance, stood there with a light high
above his head, his keen eyes scanning
the apartment swiftly.
IJtOOkhim moment to comprehend,
and then he laughed with immeasure-
able amusement.
The miller, clad but lightly, was
sprawling on the floor, a dazed wonder
on his face, the old rife, which he had
struck as he fell, lying harmless beside
him and now unloaded; a window was
open and through it came a fine sheet
of rain; the old man was soaking wet
and raindrops glistened on his hair and
scanty garments; his bare feet were
muddy, and altogether he presented
anything but an agreeable or present
able appearance.
What has happenedG" asked Dick
as soon as his mirth could be suppressed,
as he aided the miller to his feet.
"I-Id6n't know" stammered Jane,
son.
His wife, hearing voices, cautiously
peeped out from under the ~coverlet.
Robbers" she cried shrilly "They
have been here again. Have they
shot you, Harvey"
mo, wife, I'm not shot," said Har.
vey' AN l don think there's been any
robbery round. Fact is I've been sleep,
walking"
WHAT"
i've been walkin' in my sleep, sure
as you live" groaned the miller. I'm
all wet, SO I must have gone out OF
doors, an the Lord only knows where
1 have been or what I / have been doin,
I was dreamin' Of that ten pounds
He broke off and hurried to the spot