The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-09-20
SOMERSET PA. WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 90 1893.

flung down the cigar, whose fiery end
had already wrought its mission of mis-
chief
an settle this matter" thought he
andhe quietly bolted both the corn house
doors on the outside. securing them with
the strong wooden pin which belonged
to them.
There" said he to himself 81 rath-
er think he'll keep for the present.
Now I'll go aud have nice chat with
Lydia, for see that the candle has found
its way to the right place at last, and III
notify the constables and rouse up old
Kesson. But don't think there's aay
occasion for hurry"
1t was not until the old clocks hands
touched the figure of midnight that Dick
got through with all that he hal say to
pretty Lydia.
"Mercy on us" said Lydia, as the
twelve strokes buried hoarsely on the
listening ear Of night, show awfnlly late
itism
@Yes, rather So" said Dick, suddenly
remembering his prisoner. "And sup
pose the fellow outside thinks 50. too"
"What fellow outsider cried Lydia,
opening her eyes wide.
'Now, don't be frightened, pet" said
Dick. Il thought there was no use in
disturbing you about it but there is a
burglar securely penned up in the com
house outside, and has been for the last
tao hours"
"a burglar, Dick ~
"Just that exactly, my love-"
"Oh, Dick Oh, Dickw cried Lydia,
clinging convulsively to his arm. "a
burglar Will he kill US 4? viii he mur-
der US ?'
Darling, don't worry said Dick,
taking advantage Of the sudden opportu-
nifty to administer hug and several kis-
sis to his sweetheart "If there's II be
any killing or numbering done, it won't
be while I'm around
'But father Let me cali father?"
"My pet, what on earth should we dis
turb the old gentleman for 81 said Dick.
"I'I Just go out and and interview the
fellow, and then I'll wake up the chore
boy and send him over to Sam Hall, at
the constable's house, for reinloEcements.'
"But Dick, don't 90. Suppose ne were
20 shoot or stab you" cried Lydia, hys-
terically.
az rather think It will take two to make
that bargain" observed Dick, marching
out, with the big dark lantern in one
hand and Mr. Kesson's big, old fashion
ed gun in the other; while Lydia from
the doorstep, watched the triumphal pro-
gress with nalpitating heart
Old Mr.. Kesson, hoarse with bawling,
and lame in the wrists with pounding at
the relentless-closed doors, was oveIjoy-
ed to hear advancing footsteps.
'Iet me out he roared. Thieves VII
lainsI Open the aoer.'
ooh, YES, think see myself. said
Dick, turning food OF light from The
dark lantern in the direction of Mr. Kes-
sons voice. "I1l settle you. Eh. Hello
WY, its Mr.. Kesson."
'Ifs Dick Chnrchill" shouted the old
man. "My dear Churchill, never was
so glad to see anyone in my life. Open |
the door, Let me out There have been
burglars about. -
"You don't tell me 50 cried Dick.
"As sure as live and breathe, said /
the old gentleman, trem bling all over
with excitement and fatigue, Send for
the constables. Telegraph to Yaleville
at once for the special police. They act
ually had the impudence TO bolt me in
here while they went to rob my house |
and murder all my family in their beds"
"Well, sir" said Dick, somewhat sheep
ishly, nobody is robbed or murdered in
your house, because l fortunately hap
pened to be calling on Miss Lydia and
at must have been through a special |
interposilion of Providence" fervently /
cried Mr.. Kesson. "Shake hands with |
me, Churchill. look upon you as my |
preseryer and that of my daughter; and /
hope you won't bear any malice for any
thing may have been hasty and thought |
less enough 10 say in the past
Certainly not, sir, said Dick. "Pay, /
allow me to help you into the house"
'I'm stiff as crowbAr," groaned Mr.. /
Kesson; "and I've skinned an ankle /
tumbling over the wooden beams Of the
floor, and the rheumatic pains are darting
through every joint in my body. Oh,
dear, oh, dear, what should have done
without you, Dick -
The eoustables came, but, strange to /
say, they could not find any trace Of the
burglars. The police from Yaleville were /
no more successful; but Mr. kesson de-
clared that after this he could not recon |
cile it to his sense Of personal safety to
live alone in the big farmhouse. So
Dick Churchill, now in high favor came
there to live, and in six weeks be was
married to Lydia.
Il confess" said Mr. Kesscn, Il did
not know how much energy ard good
sense there was in that young Churchill.
And after this business of the burglars l
never should feel quite safe to stay in the
old place alone
And Dick and Lydia kept their own
counsel, and ;hey were all happy and
eontented together, Mr.. Kessoa the most
Of all.