Abilene weekly reflector., 1895-10-10

some OF tne money you nave thefo'
He was soon gone, and watched
him until he was out Of sight; then
turning from the window, threw my
self into large armchair before the
fire, and did Just what Adair had told
me not to do-burst into food Of tears.
After indulging myself in this femi-
inine weakness for about twenty min
utes I felt equal to the task Of break.
ing the news Of great disappointment
to Mammie. When l had told her Of
Adair's return and departure, her
philosophical turn Of mind caused her
10 remark; "Well, honey, man he
poses, and God He deposesl Sho'ly dey
amt no tellin' what day'll bring
forth Here we Is done bin er working
all day-fer what? Jist to teach you
q lesson In pachuncel and dat you
mustn't set yer heart on muffin In dis
lifel WE'LL efn we wants to git these
things put away fore dark, we'd better
git about it. Jemes, you kin jist fold
up de table linen, and put up dc silver,
and III tend to putin up de vittles."
It took but short time to undo the
work which had occupied us all three
since noon, and after having paid
James and dismissed him, I returned
TO the parlor, where baby still lay sleep
ing.
As the rain was now falling In tor
rents, resolved to remain downstairs
until Mammie had finished her nights
work and would DO able to accompany
mo upstairA I have never been a
tlmid woman, but that night, as ! sat
alone listening to the wind whistle
about the house corners and driving
the raindrops furlously against the
shutters, q feeling Of great uneasineas
took possession Of me-a strange fore
boding Of approaching evil. :
In vain did I endeavor to shake IT
Of. When Mammle came in we made
. tour Of inspection to SEQ that tho
house was securely fastened, and theH
We ascended the stairs to my own
apartments. Thanks to Mammie, :
bright fire was burning In the crate.
and when the lamps were lighted
baby opened wide his eyes and anf
nounced his intention Of keeping
awake. At any other time should
hayp been impatient at his obstinate
wakefulness, but tonight Igave him
all the encouragement he needed
While baby and I engaged In q great
romp, Mammie nodded at us from her
seat In the corner. 1t was near twelve
o'clock and still baby seemed not 70
grow tired. In leaning forward to
place him on the carpet before me I
distinctly heard noise In the dircc.
tion Of the bed. Turning my eyes that
way I espied : foot protruding from
under the mosquito bar that fell In
folds to the floor.
My breath almost left me. felt
myself grow weak and faint, but sum
moning all the courage in my nature
I went on playing with baby. I
thought Of the $1,000 my husband had
given me, and felt sure that II any
one had overheard my conversation at
the time he gave me the money, that
person also knew that Adair expected
to reach home at two. II was then
nearly twelve, and the robber would
soon grow impatient with waiting,
come out from his place of conceal
ment and demand Of me the money,
and, perhaps, murder us all. Some
thing must be done, and done quickly
After turning over in my mind many
plans Of escape from our hidden en-
emy, I decided upon this scheme;
''Mammie," said, ~ hear noise
downstairs at the kitchen window. |
believe some one is trying to break
into the house. Wake up, get the can
die and we'll frighten them off. here
Is Adair's pistol; you take baby and
give me the candle. am not afraid.
Now follow me-but wait! ! have
$1,000 about me that Adair left In my
keeping, and | must conceal 1t in this
room for fear Of accident I'll Just put
It on the shelf In the closet here until
we return"
so saying ! opened the closet door
and pretended to hide away the pack
age. Coming out, closed the door
tightly, and, followed by Mammie,
went out into the hall, closing my bed
room door behind me. then hurriedly
whispered to Mammie what l had seen,
and bade her take the candle and 60
on downstairs with baby, who still
kept up his chatter. took stand at
the door and listened until heard the
closet door hastily open; steadily !
turned the bolt Of the chamber door,
rushed toward the closet, slammed and
locked the door, at the same time call
ing to Mammie to return.
As the closet had been fitted up for
the reception Of our silver, given to us
as wedding presents, knew the lock
was strong; and as the burglar had
been surprised he had about him no
tools that would enable him to effect
his escape. Therefore ! armed myself
with Adairs pistol, and Mammie and
baby and kept watch over my pris.
oner until we were relieved at two
o'clock by the arrival Of my husband
Going out into the street, he sum-
moned policeman. The burglar was
brought out, handcuffed and carried
away.
was not surprised to recognize the
boy James. IN. o. fimes-Democrat.
The total acreage Of all the farms
in the United States is G23, ,2ls,Gl9, OF
which 3576lG,75j are improved, or un'