The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-02-03
MURFREE'S HEROISM.

of the dresser glass preparatory to re.ir-
ing for the night. Not a particle" she
emphatically repeated. What on earl
your mother was thinking about when
she named you can't imagine. | am
sure that | never saw a man more I'M
like his namesake. | have known you tt
be positively cowardly at times"
l1r. Murfree looked up in a weary
way from the corner where he sat. Tn
sure, my dear" he began.
No, you're not" snapped his better
half, giving the pincushion a whacB
with the hair6rush to emphasize her
words; You are not sure; you are never
sure Of anything-you only think. Bah
l hate Il nan who only thinks And she
jerked the tangles cut of a refractory
auburn lock with additional force.
when Mrs. jerks was telling tonight
about that paragon of a husband Of hers
| was simply consumed with envy. 1t
shows how much to believe in names.
Look ut you two men; look, ] say
Yes, my dear" responded Mr.. Mur.
free. pulling off his boots in a resigned
way, I'm looking"
BAH" retorted his wife, 'Imean you1
names-Ulysses Murfree, Peter jerks
just think Of the difference, and yet Pc.
ter jerks knocked a burglar down stairs
this week with one fist: one, | assure
you; and you-you are afraid to go call
ing on the Simsongibbers after dark be-
cause they keep a dog"
We'll, my DEAR" feebly expostulated
Mr.. Murfree, 1T is a very large dog and
p
Here Mrs. Murfree suddenly turned
around, and through lips containing sun
dry hairpins, combs and such trifiing ar
ticles Missed, Don't talk to me!' in
such an impressive and disguised man
ner that Mr.. Murfree subsidized at once
and proceeded TO finish pulling off his
socks.
He was not disturbed again until the
moment came for retiring, when, con-
trary to their usual custom, Mrs. Muir
free turned the gas entirely out, leaving
the room in darkness, save where q streak
Of moonlight fell through the window.
open for ventilation.
Now, if there was anything that Nh.
Murfree hated it was to have the bed
room gas turned off at night, but know
ing the defiant state Of mind which
prompted his wife 10 ~extingui5h it. and
fearing to provoke another outburst he
climbed sadly into bed, and lay cogitat-
ing a plan whereby he should be able to
shoot a burglar in the dark should one
chance to visit his abode that night.
Il don't see how | could do it," lie
sighed, turning uneasily.
Are you ever going to lie still and let
person sleep? snapped the partner Of
his joys and SORROWS rs Size fonnced
over, dragging half Of the comfortable
with her. and thereby causing small
chills to chase n another down her hus-
bands vertebrfe.
Mr.. Murfrae laid still.
He held his breath, figuratiyely, until
the deep; not to say sonorous, breathing
OF his aniable companion told that peace
and quietuda had folded their downy
wings upon the bosom Of Mrs. Murfree.
Then he sighed again.
II do hope no II will come tonight"
he murmured sleepily. Dear me-if--
T. An7 here his thoughts foated
vaguely off and he realized no more.
Quiet fell on the room for a time,
broken only by the musical sounds from
the alcoye, where slept the pair, and an
occasional snap as the willow rocker,
Directing to the strain Of the day, tried
to contract to its former shape.
Just as the city clock was striking 1
MI. Murfree awoke with q start and
looked in a dazed way up into the dark
ness.
whats the matter with me-" he nut
tered, a sensation of uneasiness creeping
over him. Il think-ha! What's that:"
And, broad awake now, with the cold
p~erspiration starting from every pore, he
became conscious Of q faint rustic in the
room, the cause of which the heavy por-
there's draping the alcove prevented him
a~scertaining.
Cautiously he reached under the mat
tress for his revolver, and to his horror
found that, after cleaning it on the pre-
vious day, he had carelessly forgotten to
replace it in its wonted spot.
"Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord" he chartered to
himself, trying to keep cool. "No re-
volver, no nothing, and a burglar, sure as
fate. Samantha was right; l am a cow
ard. What on earth shall | do? If /
wake Samantha l will never hear the last
Of it; She will nag worse than ever; be-
sides, She is sure to yell, and then we will
all be murdered" And the poCt man
shook 50 that the springs creaked and
sent him into a fresh fit OF trembling.
Rustic, rustic, it came again, and then
a soft thump and a clink.
"He's got my pants" calculated Mr..
Murfree to himself as he cautiously sat
up in bed and tried TO calm himself.
Thump.
Il can't stand this any longer" said
Mr.. Murfree in a whisper, beginning to
get huffy. I'm a fool. No wonder
Samantha said SO. | will certainly find
out what is outside Of those curtains.
and this time Samantha shan't have a
chance to brag over me. Perhaps l shall
be able to do something for once"