Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-09-02
Nothing but a Candle.

| behind the western hills, Mr.. Burton
started off to bring her home.
Lock and bar the door after me, y
he said, as he stepped out onto the
porch. I've made all the Other doors
and the windows fast-and don't let
anyone in while I'm gone Then he
added You won't be afraid, will
you =
NO, ind eed, father replied Jack,
answering COR his sisters as well as
himself. You'll be back in two or
three hours. anyhow, and guess We
can take care of ourselves as long as
that"
well. good-by and Mr.. Burton,
after waiting II minute to hear the
door locked and the bar put up, took
his departure.
The Burton cottage stood in n lonely
| street in II suburban town. with no
houses nearer than POO feet, and for
that reason the children had never
been left alone before. Nor had II
been intended that they should be
| this time, but their uncle. who had
promised TO come and stay with them
during their parents absence, had
| been suddenly called elsewhere.
However. aS the neighbOrhood had
always been a very quiet and peace
full one. Mr.. Burton felt no real fear
when he left them. There were three
! of them-Jack, II boy of twelve, Roxy.
a girl Of nine, and darling wee LIZZIE
not quite three They went back in
TO the kitchen, after making hefront
door secure. and sat down 10 their
supper of biscuits and apple butter,
and warm milk. And while they
were laughing and talking between
bites and drinks, they heard sound
which caused Jack and Roxy TO stop
and look at each other with pale
faces. 1t was the sound OF footsteps.
Someone was coming up the cellar
stairs. which led TO IL little landing,
from which door opened directly
into the kitchen This door was
! seldom locked. a. the barring OF the
cellar door was considered sufficient
protection and 1t stood partly opened
now. for Jack had taken the crock oil
butter from IL shelf in the landing
and not thought it worth while to
close it till he put the crock back
again. Quick, quick" he wnis
pered TO Roxy, the back stairs.
Roxy fled with Lizzie in her arms,
but before Jack could follow her, "A
biz. ill-Iooking fellow walked into the
kitchen.
'I'm Just in time, - said he, with n
coarse laugh. for I'm hungry as a
wolf Sorry | disturbed you At your
supper, but the young uns ought to
alIus wait till the gentlemen are
through And seating himself at
the table. he went on: Bread and
milk and sweet stuff won't do for me
though. Give me some meat and
whatever else you've got.
IF you will wait till my father and
mother come back, said Jack, in q
voice that he tried his best to keep
steady. they will give you II good
supper. / expect them every mo
ment.
That's lie," declared the tramp,
Il was abiding behind tree when
vour pop went. and heard all you and
him said, and he won't be back Tor
two or three hours, and, with all his
fuss. he forgot 10 fasten the cellar
door. which made il handy for me.
Now. look lively aud step lively, and
briLg out the best you've got, FOR
'tain't likely you'll ever have aprince
in Disguise TO supper again. And al
ter I've toasted I'll 90 through the
house and select few little things to
remember you by. -
! Jack brought out the cold beef and
pickles. and half a mince pie, and a
slice OF cheese, aud placed them be-
fore the uninvited guest.
That's all there Is. he said.
.'That'll do, replied the man, but
| wan. something TO drink with II.
Haven't you any beer =
There's few bottles ia the cellar,
, said Jack
80 and get em for me. No, stop;
yon'd be a-cuttin' out and raisin n
row. I'll 20 first. and you come be
hind me with candle and show me
where they are. And be quick about
II. too I've wasted too much time
already. You needn't pretend there
isn't any candle, cause there one on
top OF the cupboard Light ii, and
hurry up
Jack lighted the candle. Then the
fellow led the way down the cellar
stairs and the boy followed.
The beer is in II box in that cor
, ner.' said Jack. pointing in the direc
ton OF the cellar door. As the TramI
bent over to look. he flung candle anc
caudIestiek with all his might on toI
OF his head, and flew back TO th'
stair. He had the great advants q
~ tborouphIy knowing the place, and
while the prince in disguise, as III
had called himself, was cursiDg ant
swearing, and feeling his way in tn
dark. Jack was boiling the door d.
which he had entered the kitchen
Then he ran up the hack stairs an
bolted the door at the top ofthei
after him, and, in a moment more
WA; let into his mothers room b
Roxy. who. poor child, was tremolin
with fright. We must call for helI