The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-14

here with no one but you. l had no ides
mother and father would stay so late
These words were spoken by little
girl OF ten to her brother Fred. who wa:
looking discontentedy into the fire. well
j either sister. but it's so bad l suppose
they will wait until morning to come
home"
Fred and Nellie Clinton lived with their
parents on a small farm In the Western
part Of Kentucky, and their parents had
that morning gone to distant village 70
purchase some things they needed. Fred
was a large. manly boy Of fourteen. who
helped his father like dutiful son. and
was on a fair way to become an honest
straightforward man. Mr.. Clinton had
worked hard 10 procure a home for his
little family. and had we'll succeeded, for
he now had nice house, pleasantly
situated.
Brother" said Nellie, had you not
better go out and see that the barn and
stable are locked for the night? Jim is
so forgetful I'm afraid he neglected lock-
ing them"
"Of course I will II you say so. sister.
You always think Of everything" and
Fred looked affectlonately into his sis
ter's face.
"Oh. Fredl you know I don't think OF
everything; it's just the thing 1 have to
think OF that | do" said Nellie. laughing.
When Fred came back he seemed very
much excited and possibly alarmed, for
he had no sooner entered the room than
he startled Nellie by telling her he was
sure he saw a suspicious-looking man
creep around the house.
"Oh, Fred. I'm sure you are mistaken"
said Nellie; "or perhaps it's only fancy,
and what is the use OF soaring me when
there is no need?"
well. maybe I am mistaken" said
Fred, land it's not very likely. So come.
let's have supper. and then we can spend
the evening as we please"
When they had finished eating their
supper Fred commenced reading his be-
loved book, "R, Jinson Crusoe," and Mel
lie TO get her lessons, for she was very
studious little girl and studied and read
so much that she had knowledge of one
far surprising her In years. But tonight
she was nervous, and did not feel like
studying. and when at last she proposed
going TO bed Fred was very willing. for
he, too. felt little scared. Their rooms
were adjoining. and two pretty rooms they
were fixed with mothers care. Nellie
soon went TO sleep. but Fred was not
sleepy. He Ily awake thinking OF the
possibility OF a robbery. What could we
do?" he asked himself. Nothing" was
the answer Fred gave TO his question.
He had Just satisfied himself that his
fears Of danger were false when he heard
noise as II some one trying 10 open
window. He lay perfectly still. He was
afraid TO move. Al one time he thought
OF awakening Nellie. But them he
thought. "she couldn't do anything.
While he was ponderIng this In his mind
Nellie called from her room: Fired, come
here. / think there is some one trying
to break in" Fred sprang out OF bed
and tipped into his sisters room.
Eyes. Nellie" he said, II believe there
is some one trying to get In, and I'm
going to ride Black Donald over TO Mr..
Hanes'. There are lots of men over
there. and l can get some one to come
back with me-"
But. brother" broke in Nellie, "how
are YOU going to get out? All OF the
doors are locked for the man came In at
the window"
well. I don't know" said Fred. II
could get out Donald would carry me like
lightning"
1T know" said Nellie. Tie my trunk
rope around the bough OF the tree that
almost touches the window, and then
you can swing down"
"Ail right" said Fred. IT'S raining
awfully hard. but | must go. III the man
comes up here Just lay perfectly still.
Fred swung down. and Nellie watched
him until he was out or sisht' theh'
softly closing the window. she got In
bed Her heart beat fast and her hands
trembled with fear. She had tried not
TO appear uneasy while Fred was present,
because she did not wish 10 trouble him
more. But now her brave little heart
failed her, and she trembled at every
sound. Suppose" thought she, Fred
should not get back In time, ana the
man would steal all of papa's money.
what should we do?" All at once a
thought So slipping on her clothes. she
tipped down stairs very softly. When
she reached the bottom Of the steps she
saw in her fathers room a light and
man bending over safe. which held
some valuable papers and also a great
deal OF money. Nellies heart beat fast
and her hands shook when she lifted n
rug which was before the room and
disclosed to view trap-door. which she
carefully opened She then spread the
rug back just as she had found 1t. though
expecting the man TO look around every
minute.
When nellie had fixed this so that the
trap-door could not be seen she tipped
back upstairs. and had just reached her
room when she heard thump, then
groan and saw the candle the man held
drop TO the floor. She then knew THAT
had happened The man had come out of
the room and had fallen into the trap
door But how could she keep him there
until her brother came back? She went
down stairs again, shut the trap-door and
locked IL. She had just finished doing
this when she heard some one In the
yard talking, which she recognized as
her brothers voice, and two or three
other men. She quickly let them In. and
when they had entered she pointed TO the
trap-door and tainted.
Her brother carried her upstairs and
laid her on the bed. She soon began to
recover, and looking up into her brothers
face she said: did the man get away?"
mo, sister dear; they have him for
sure, I think. because ! hear them talk
ing below. But can you spare me for a
few minutes: would like to see who II
tsp"
"Oh yes. brother; am not afraid to
stay by myself now. for / am going to
sleep. Goodnight. brother" 49,
Goodnight. sister"
When Fred entered the room where
the men were he exclaimed; why. that
Is the very man I~saw creep around the
house; but Nellie said / was mistaken"
The men had just decided TO take
the robber to town that night when Mr..
and Mrs. Clinton arrived. They were at
first astonjshed at seeing so many strange
men In the house at that time of night.
But wh(n they heard what had happened
they wfre thankful they had such brays