The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1897-03-06

were rolled up above pair of plump
and notified arms, removed her checked
apron, and reached down her hat from
the pegs behind the kitchen door.
Hurry, why don't you?" said Miss
Transferable.
II am a-hurrying, amt II" retorted
Betsey Jane.
But at this moment rumbling
sound, like the tfVoes Of miniature
earthquake, struck on both their ears.
Hes knocked down the whole half
ton of coal!" screamed Betsey Jane.
Hes banging at the door to ge:
out" shrieked Miss Hardscrabble.
Away went Betsey Jane after the po-
lice. while her mistress locked herself
In and considered whether there was
enough red lavender and valerian in
the house to justify her going into hys-
terics. And then the police arrived,
and she hadn't time to indulge her ner-
vousness.
Come out of here, you villin"
growled Policeman 100000.
Let me out" roared a voice from
the inside.
Yes. I'll let you out" said Police
man 100000. "Oh, you hoary-headed
old sinner. just come along with mel!
How dare your! shouted the cap
tive.
IF you've any question to ak, you u
better keep it to AK His Honor in
Court" said Policeman 100000, and
he dragged the culprit out and clapped
on a pair of handouts before Betsey
Jane and her mistress could believe
that the desperate villain was really
in custody.
"A-breakin' into peaceable citizens
coalholes and frightenin' the ladies!
wonder you amt ashamed Of yourself,
said Policeman 100000, with an extra
jerk to the necktie of the brigand. Il
say, come along, why don't you? Now,
ladies, don't be scared! The gangs all
broke up!'
At this juncture the hutterea doves
of this cote ventured to peep over the
banisters of the basement staircase.
Miss Hardscrabble uttered Shrek.
which, as policeman 100000 said
ran through him like carving knife. )"
tits pa" said Miss Hardscrabble.
Its master" said Betsey Jane.
Brute of policeman" cried Miss
Transferable, release my parent
Amt he a burglar?" demanded
Policeman 100000, in great perplexi-
ty.
mo more than yourself said old
Mr.. Hardscrabble, who, with his mouth
and eyes filled with coal-dust, and his
face resembling that of negro min
strel ready for the stage, presented
most Undesirable appearance!
Dearest pa" exclaimed Miss Hard
scrabble, fingiag herself upon him.
Don't be fool. Zeruiah!' was his
tenderly parental response.
But how came you there?' demand
ed the policeman, naturally reluctant
to let go of the burglar whom he had
captured with so much eclat. This
ere whole proceeding has got kind OF
queer look. to my mind
L QOu KNOW lHdL IL . any oouS :
business" said old Mr.. Hardscrabble.
sneezing vehemently, but l went
down on my way from the office to
measure out the coal in scuttles and
make sure there hadn't any Of it been
spirited away. didn't speak to any
body because didn't want anybody
to know: but that stupid servantgirl-"
1T was me. pa" said Miss Hard
scrabble. looking up the house."
mo matter who it was" said Mr..
Hardscrabble, angrily. Between you
two fools l got locked in before
could make you hear. And now the
whole matter is explained. You needn't
wait, policeman. Go about your bust
ness, girl. Zeruiah. if you're quite
through staring. perhaps you'll lay me
out a clean shirt"
The policeman skunk away. Betsey
Jane descended into the kitchen, gig
Cling under her breath, and Miss
Zeruiah disappeared into the linen
closet, while old Mr.. Hardscrabble.
rubbing his abraded joints, sat before
the parlor fire. muttering to himself:
such fools as people are!-New
York Ledger.