Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-08-16
How / Saved the Money.

When | was boy of twelve
years my father sold his farm in
Vermont, and we removed to Maine.
At that time there was no network |
of railroads extending over the
country, and we travelled i'll our
own carriage, For many days we
were confined in the same narrow
conveyance, jolting over rough
roads, pushing on through all sorts
of weather. The family consisted
of my father and mother, my sister
Lottie, who was fourteen years old,
myself, my baby brother, and Mol
lie West, the maid of all work.
We had accomplished the great
er part of our journey, and were
passing through a dense forest
when night overlook us.
The baby had not been well for
several days and now he grew so
much worse that mother became
very uneasy; and we were thankful
to see light twinkling between
the trees and to hail the appearance
of some resting place for the night.
We almost gave up our determin-
alton to stop there when the host
and hostess appeared. They were
a sharp-featured couple, and looked
hard and unfriendly. But it was
getting late, and we were cold and
weary, so we were obliged to stop.
We were given descent supper,
but when we retired for the night,
mother and the girls were placed in
a large, double-bedded room in the
front of the house where there was
fire, while father and | were sent
to small, cold room at the end of
a long passage.
Ned" said my father, in a eau
tious tone, 81 don't like the look Of
things about this place. I'm
afraid that an attempt will be made
to get possession of my purse"
"Why, papaw | exclaimed.
And so, he went on, I'm 60
ing to put it up behind this pic
ture," approaching large picture
which hung on the wall. They'll
never think of looking in such an
unreasonable place"
"I'm afraid it won't be safe
there" | demonstrated.
ut will be safer there than it
would under my pillow" he return
ed. Perhaps | am too suspicious,
but the man has been watching me
as cat watches mouse. shall
put this old purse under my pillow.
There is little silver i'll it to rat
tie. ! feel very drowsy."
"What shall do papa?" asked.
IF they come to this room, and
you are awake, keep perfectly quiet
and feign sleep. How strangely
my head feels!' and father threw
himself upon the bed, and was soon
in deep sleep.
The moments passed. could
not sleep, and soon became very
thirsty. At length | decided to go
out to the kitchen after some water.
| was naturally bold and fearless,
and rather enjoyed the idea of wan
dering about such "a house. at night.
SO | took the tallow candle and
started. did not encounter any,
one on the way, and soon reached
the kitchen and quenched my thirst.
But as soon as started back gust
of wind extinguished my candle.
was left in total darkness, and
groped along as best could. Pres
emily | came to door which was
ajar, and from it came gleam of
light and the sound Of low voices.
I peered through the half-open
door, and saw our host and hostess.
The man held an ugly-looking
knife in his hand.
III don't want you to hurt EN-"
said the woman.
II shan't if | can help it, return
ed the man. But I'm goin' to hev
the money. | think it's behind
that picture. looked through a
crack and seed the old man fussin'
around it,"
81 suppose the boy is asleep"
said the woman.
"Oh, of course. Youngsters like
him can't keep awake"
] waited to hear no more, but
crept breathlessly away and regain
ed fathers room in safety. He was
still asleep.
took the purse from behind the
picture, slipped it hastily into the
toe of one of my shoes, and hurried