Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-11-15
AN UNEXPECTED CATCH.
How Barnaby Nearly Lost His Sweet
heart and Got Her Back.

Morton thought a good deal more
Of his pretty cousin than of the business
for the business had no mind to
change, and Bessie had.
They we're not engaged. John Goldby
perhaps for reasons of his own, possibly IN
Bessie's interest, had forbidden him to ash
the momentous question until she had seer
a little more of the world. There's plenty
of time for that" be said, and refused to lis
ten to argument. Had his answer been fa'
vorable, most likely Bessie would have laugh
ed in her lovers face-they had SO long been
as brother and sister. But she liked him
better than any one else, and she had told
him so.
Such was the situation wheL Barnaby was
requested to look after his uncle's house dur
ing the absence of the family at Brighton
II don't want you to neglect the business
you know" John Goldby exclaimed. "You
can leave an hour sooner, then you'll gel
here at 6. Don't be absent at night on any
account, and if you go out for walk, minc
youcome in early. The parlor maid goes
with US, but the cook will be here to attend
to you" His concluding words were:" Now
don't let there be another burglary"
Barnaby promised to obey every injunct
icn faithfully. But-he wouldn't have believ'
ed that Bessie's absence could make such
difference-he found those evenings at May
thorn Villa deadly dull. Seven of them hi
bore, then tempered his solitude with friends
to whom he gave nice little dinners in return
for their companionship.
One afternoon the most abliging of thest
young gentlemen, doctor, whose practice
had scarcely begun to sprout. called at Mr.
Goldby's Office in the city. Il want you tc
do me favor, Norton" said he. "Yor
know Miss Trevor. I've persuaded her to
let me take her to the theatre this evening
Her aunt goes, of course. I should be etern
ally obliged if you you'd contrive to NEE
us-quite by accident. you know and taxi
charge of the old lady. She's spoilt ever!
opportunity I've had so far, End want tt
bring the affair to head"
"I'm very sorry, Seluy," Batnaby rejoin
ed. "You know promised the governor
would spend every evening at his house"
Eyes; but you're the only fellow I'm &C
quainted with who knows Miss Trevor AM
her aunt. I'm afraid stranger to then
wouldn't be able to help me much. When
the governor expected back?"
Tomorrow"
sand he's been away three weeks. Burg
lars don't work hap-hazard. If robber
had been planned, your presence every nigh
would have spoilt it. Besides you'll get HON
before 12. Come, I make personal matte
of it,"
Barnaby hesitated, and of course, was lost
But he did not abandon the position all a
once.
II know I ought not to go, Dick, IT.
only two years since the house was burglar
ed. If anything were 70 happen, uncle woul
never forgive me. Still, if we're in you
place, you would help me out if you could
Yes, would. But why not set few burl
lar.traps? You'll be all right then, if tn
very improbable event should take place. >
"What sort of traps?"
"Some of my own invention. You'N
heard of McCloskey's whiskey that kille
at forty rods-dropped the drinker at ar
rate"
Barnaby nodded.
swell, my traps are like that. I'll ru
back to the surgery and get the stuff, me-
me at Waterloo at O'clock"
They met at the appointed hour. Sell
had the burglar-traps in medicine bottl
Thirty-fve minutes they were at Maythor
Villa preparing to set them.
There will be sufficient" said the invel
tor. Zone for the pantry, where the plate
kept one for your aunt's dressing-roon
where you say she keeps her jewels; the otl
er for the drawing-room, which is llttere
with valuable knickknacks. Half fill thrt
decanters with mixed port and brandy
plenty of brandy, you know, or the burgli
may taste the stuff-and get three wiz
glasses"
Barnaby procured those adjuncts. Sell
divided the contents of the medicine bott
between the decanters.
"It's strong preparation of opiates"
exp lained. "All you have to do is to put
decanter and glass to each of the safes al
| onotbar -, fba 4 ro ,y;pp roopo Tf hurul
enter any of those rooms the first thing he
see will be the wine. He'll pour out glas
full, gulp it down-they're thirsty souls a
burglars-smack his lips and drop in abo
a minute and half. 1t won't hurt him, b
you'll find him there tomorrow"
"It's good idea," said Barnaby, "b
suppose the cook discovers the stuff"
"You must warn her."
When the traps had been set so that
most purblind burglar could not fail to 6
them, Barnaby went to the kitchen.
"Look here, Mary" he said, "I'm goi
out. I've put three decanters of wine abo
the house. Don't touch them"
The cook fired up on the instant.
"What do you take me for?" she
manded.
"a woman, Mary. Remember what hg
pened in Eden, and don't be tempted"
He retreated in hurry, dressed, and /
the house with Selhy, perfectly easy in
mind. At the theatre he met his friend a
the ladies', by the merest chance most Cal
fully arranged, of course; but despite
earnest endeavor to be of service, he col
not procure Selby the desired oportuni
However, when they reached the street af
the play it was raining fast and the doc
had an inspiration. Instead of calling
growler he hailed two handsom, hustled
} younger lady into one. jumped in hims
and was driven off, leaving the astonish
angry chaperone with his friend. The tri
succeeded admirably, but Barnaby miss
the last train to Twickenham in con
quence.
Meanwhile the Goldbys had been enjc
ing their annual holiday, especially Bess