Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-04-29
MisckllauenMs.
CAUG

A number OF burglarles had been
committed in that part of the city in
which. the Beemans lived, and Mr.. Bee.
man and other members of his family
sat at the tea-table ono evening discuss
ing the latest case, the breaking into
the house next to their own
Perhaps the most Interested person at
the toa-tabe was Mrs. Lucinda Drake.
MIR. Besnan's old aunt, who had ar
rived on that very day to make visit.
Mrs. Drake was country born and bred.
She loved the country, and detested the
city and all its ways, and distrusted
every dweller in city whom she did
not know to be truly good and honest.
When she went to visit her nephew she
was accustomed to bid her family a
solemn farewell
because" she would say, there's
no telling whether I'll ever get home
alive; the city.is such wicked place"
The account of the burglarios referred
to greatly excited Aunt Lucinda, and
she first declared she would 20 d.
rectly home, as her life must be in con-
slant danger il she remained in the
neighborhood in which such rascalities
were being committed.
Mr.. Beeman had laughed at her fears,
however, and had finally prevailed on
her TO forego her intention of returning
home.
lightning seldom strikes twice in
the same place, Aunt Lucinda" he said,
land as the burglars have already Wis
tied our neighborhood, and they know
that We are all on the alert, they are not
likely to como this way again soon"
"Well, it'll be the worse for them if
they come near me, said Aunt Lucinda,
and, when one looked at her il seemed
that her saying might be true
She was a large, muscular woman in
perfect health, and was not lacking in
courage, notwithstanding her seeming
timidity.
ats not that I'm afraid" she said,
scornfully, "but | don't want to lose any
of my things, and it isn't pleasant to
wake up in the dead of night, and fnd
a burglar prowling around ones room"
you'll not be troubled, auntie," said
Mr.. Beeman, confidently "All our
locks and bolts are 10 good condition,
and | shall sleep with one eye open"
81 shall DO like to sleep with both Of
mine OPEN" replied Aunt Lucinda
Mr.. Boeman attended an entertain
ment down town that night, and. at
few minutes before midnight, found him
self on his own doorstep without his
latch key.
"This is too provoking" he said, as he
carefully searched bis pockets without
finding the missing key. at was only
this evening that Harriet told me that
the bell wire was broken or twissed 80
the bell won't ring. All the family
sleep upstairs and can't awaken any
body withou. screaming loud enough TO
rouse all the neighbors within block.
It's two miles TO the nearest hotel, and
no more horse-cars tonight. must
get in some way or other"
A little balcony projected over the
front door. IL was supported by two
posts reaching TO the front steps.
81 know what I'll do, said Mr.. Bee
man, mentally. "Pll climb up to that
little balcony The window 10 front Of
it opens into Aunt Lucinda's room. III
rap gently until | awaken her, and ask
her TO raise the window and let me in."
II was not an easy thing TO climb up
the smooth, round posts, but Mr.. Bee
man finally succeeded 10 doing it and
scrambled over the balcony railing, 10
doing which he necessarily made not
a little noise Then he tapped gently
on the window glass. and was about 10
call his aunt by name when, to bis
amazoment. n water-pitcher came crash
ing through the window, and struck
him with stunning force full 10 the face.
A washbowl followed the water
pitcher, and Mr.. Besman fell 10 the bal
cony floor, not only astonishoJ but
alarmed by the volley Of brushes, boots,
soapdisbos, pillows and miscellaneous
articles Of every description that were
showercd upon him lie tried to call bis
aunt by name, but bis cries we're drown
ed in her prolonged shrieks Of
Murder Police Help Don't you
dare come in here jobs Beemsn, come
here I've caught the burglar. Oh,
I've got ysu !"
She had thrown up the sash while
she screamed, and had reached out and