The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-04-14

that opinion after you see the
article. Scarritt replied. 1t is strictly
utilitarian-ought to be in every
household. In fact, it's one of my
new patents-a combination loci,
and burglar alarm. I'm going to
have it put in, and it will be all in
working order when you return.
| ielt that a cloud had already
appeared upon our fair horizon, but
the least could do was to express
my thanks to Scarritt for his
gift.
| saw that he had taken in earnest
my friendly inquiry at the club re-
sarding his invention, and he was
confident | should be pleased with
one. l hoped that it would turn
out all right, but had grave doubts
which followed ME during two weeks
of an otherwise unalloyed honey
moon.
We returned a day or two sooner
than we expected. and repaired at
once to the new house, in which
Nanette was very anxious to get
settled. was glad to be early on
the scene. for l had a feeling that
the burglar alarm would give ME
trouble OF some kind. And so it
proved.
Thoughtful friends had arranged
things in something like order at the
cottage and l soon discovered the
centripetal point OF Scarritt's pre-
sent. 1t was an innocent looking
button in the hallway.
called Nanette to look at it.
This is Scarritt's gift, said l.
Where2
There-that button, and those
wires running from it.
Oh and will it work. How nice
of Mr.. Scarritt to think of giving
US such present | shall feel just
perfectly safe when you are away
Fred, and you will know am secure
from harm when lock myself all in
and scare away all the tramps, won't
you dear?
Um.um, said | twisting the button.
1t refused to move. Then re
membered that Scarritt had told
me it would not lock up the house
unless all the doors and windows
were closed. AS it was warm day
he had opened two or three windows.
| closed these and tried the button
again. 1t turned.
On examination l found every
thing as tight as a drum. l was
much pleased. Scarritts gift was
going to be genuine comfort aher
all.
Having made a careful survey
returned to the centripetal point in
the hallway, for the purpose OF
unlocking the house. The button
turned, but the doors refused to
open. Again and again 1 turned
the button. 1t worked easily in
either direction, but the connection
was apparently off.
Won't it unlock? said Nanette.
Oh, l guess there's something the
matter with it, replied, evasively.
| hated to have my wife think l was
not master OF any situation.
| pulled the wires, pushed the
button, pried On the windows and
struggled with the doors-all to no
purpose. We were apparently very
much at home.
Oh, Fred, it's SO warm Do open
a window, please! came in an appeal
inc voice from the lady OF the
h ase.
Well, Pm trying my level best, 1
replied, mopping the persplration
from my red hot features.
| Oh, dear! l am afraid we are
imprisoned. Won't anybody rescue
us2
can break through window, il
nothing else will do, said l, in tone
that corresponded favorably with
the temperature.
But that would set off the alarm,
would it! said she.
True. l had not thought Of
that.
Here was predicament-locked
in our own house in a strange
neighborhood, and no prospect o
of escape without creating a com
motion of some sort.
The closed house was becoming
almost unbearable by reason of the
heat; it was fast approaching night
tall, and signs of a storm were evi
, dent in the west; nune of our relative:
knew we were home; there wa:
little or no food in the house, NJ
provision for light, and no prospec
of deliverance.
Scarritt's gift was outdoing my
: utmost expectation.
, began to curse the day whel
t he had invented the thing and th'
hour when he had presented it t.
! me.
t Nanette, tired from her Journey
was in no condition to endure sucl
, state of affairs. Her imagination
: began at once to exercise itself.
What if nobody should find us TO
r days Fred? Shouldn't we starve
/, Oh, how dreadful to have our bodie
, found here, in this new house! AM
t Just think OF having our names in tn
papers tor days and days,
e Oh somebody will be here betor
:, long and find us, said |, sitting dow