St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-02-22

go and get the coat, Lucinda, said
Miss Abigail.
Lucinda summoned all her courage,
made short rush across the room,
snatched the coat, and scurried back.
/ She dropped the coat at Miss Ablgall's
! feet.
rs that your only weapon?" asked
| Miss Abigail
Yes, num-" said the burglar. %
| don't mean to give YOU any trouble at
/ all l know when a manor a lady
gets the best on me. Now, mum, 1t
you'll kindly take the bulldog out OF my
| pocket, I'd rather put on my coat
again
Lucinda, take the revolver out OF the
coat" Miss Abigail said.
But Pm afraid to touch it" Lucinda
said, timorously.
Nonsense" said her mistress; hand
the coat to me-"
Lucinda lifted the coat, and Miss Abb
gail removed the revolver from the
pocket, laying it upon small table at
her side Then she threw thecoat across
the room; and the burglar stopped, pick
ed it up, and began to put it on.
Now, num- he said, moving slowly
around to face Miss Abigail, Il haven't
any weapons, and you've got the best of
me- If you'll kindly lower the point of
your gun, I'll say few words to you be-
lore l 60"
He leaned easily against the wall,
putting his hands into his trousers
pockets.
Miss Abigail eyed him for a few
seconds, and then slowly lowered her re-
volver. She still kept it ready for use,
however.
care you a coward ?" Miss Abigail
asked, suddenly why did you give
up your pistol so readily"
IF you won't get mad" said the
burglar, smiling, I'm tell you"
Il can keep my temper" said Miss
Abigail, with some reserve. Proceed
Its like this said the man. You
see, you're a woman. A very spirited
kind of a woman-but still woman.
Now, women are queer. They are al
ways afraid Of guns"
Miss Abigail Strengthened herself.
Il don't wish to offend you, you know,
but it's fact" the burglar went on.
I've been knockin' round the world
quite q piece, and women are always
afraid OF guns. That's what lcalled You
Miss Oakley. 1t was TO kind Of give you
confidence, and make you think / was
scared See? Then l knew you wouldn't
be taking a shot at me before you
thought l gave up my bulldog SOS
YOU wouldn't be scared. / wanted you
to have plenty OF confidence. You see,
Pm an old hand a this business. And
I'll take a chair if YOU don't mind
Before Miss Abigail could collect her
self he had drawn up chair and seated
himself.
"Sit down, Lucinda he remarked.
Miss Abigail gasped, but Lucinda
docilelv seated herself on the edge of
Miss Abigail's bed.
L., Il = t,olo
parently quite at his ease, who got
shot by scarin' q lady like you. She had
gun-just as you have-and plenty O
nerve-same as you. And instead of
putin up his hands, as the lady re-
quested him Tin words to that effect; she
hadn't it quite so pat as you, NUM-,
he tried to draw his gun. Well, o
course she pinked him.
"Pinked him p inquired Miss Abigail.
Yes, mum through the lung. l got
him away while the lady was faintin',
gardener or sOmethn', and died OF it"
But" began Miss Abigail.
LUST a moment more and III 60"
said the burglar. You see, he didn't
know how woman with gun should
be treated. Now my way is like I've
shown you If the lady gets the drop
on you, put up your hands. Make her
think you're scared. Give her all the
rope she'll take, until she IS quiet and
cOOl-iust as you are ROW, mum. Then
when you're certain she's quiet and not
a bit scared-why, then you know she
hasn't the heart to fire a gun a a live
man, even if he IS a professional. So
now, mum, being sure you don't mean
to murder a man in cold blood when all
he wants is to get quietly out OF the
way, I'll bid you very pleasant-good-
night"
And at the word the burglar rose,
and sauntered coolly across the room
toward the two women, Miss Abigail
raised her revolver from her lap, but the
burglar only smiled at her and paused.
The revolver dropped again.
With a nod the burglar went to the
door, opened II, passed through,
closed the door again, and then ran
down the stairs as fast as his feet would
carry him.
The women remained speeches. until
they heard the front door close. Then
Lucinda said,
'Why, he's forgotten his revolver"
''You-gump!" said Miss Abigail.
'Why don't you show some spirit?"
What could 1 do?' Lucinda said,
beginning to cry.
There, there!" remarked Miss Abb
gail. I'm glad he's gone. l didn't
know what IN the world to do with him,
and he knew l didn't the rascal! Oh,
who would be woman ?'-L Tudor
jerks in Harpers Weekly.