The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-05-31

we had another visitor. This time It was
n man whom mono of us liked. a neer-
do-wcn fellow who had peddle1 tin and
bought up eggs and butter and
chickens through the country for some
months past. stopped to tell ye, he
called. refining up his horse In front OF tho
house, that Sullty criclS Is on n. rise, an X
the boys amt back from HOLSTERS mill
they won't he able to cit hum tonight
Barbara and had both run out 1T his
cali The mans light, shifty eyes searched
the whole place. and avoided the two for
lorn figures on the porch.
That's all right. I'll tell father. Thank
you for stopping to let us know. so we
won't be anxious said barbara bavely;
but I was dissolvlng in tears bshind Ter
shoulder.
'Shd hev thought your ma an pad hev
wanted 70 he in Harrisburg a Saba day
TO Sc Jonas ordained hazardcd the man.
They did want to- answered Barbara
Come. Maggie and with her arm around
me. sho drew me into tho house, but not
before had observed what ] thought was
a CLEAN OF amusement or triumph IN the
mans watery eyes.
90. barbara sobbod even Zeph and
little Gale can't get home. They can't cross
Sulky. Wen be all alone. Let's lock up
the house and hide in the woods!'
Nov, Maggie coaxc3 Barbara, we
sat disconsolately on the Kitchen settle.
I've thought It all over. It's likely We're
scared for nothing. Probably nobody
knows we're here alone. nor wants 20 harm
Us. We cent get word to anyone, and We
can't stay in the woods on a cold night ike
this Anyhow, we'Ce safer where we are.
Let's EFT some supper and pop come corn
and be as cheerful ga We can
"But there was very little supper eaten
and no corn popped that night. l started
and cried out at every sound frora without
tho house. ana Barbara herself grew very
pale and anxious. Finally. about 10 O'Clock.
W crept upstairs and 20 bed.
frightened as we were. / think We both
slept for the next thing / knew was Bar
bora touching mo and saying: Don't
scream. Maggie; listen outside. IN the
dark there was the sound of horses being
ridden cautiously up to the gate. Then
upon tho s.eps and porch there came the
tread OF men and lowered voices.
"The people, whoever they We're evident
" thought they were I'm little danger even
~ they were heard, but they appeared to
be not absolutely certain, ana observing
some caution
"'Fhey're robbers whispered barbara;
they think father and the boys are gone
but they're not sure
lets hide 1 breathed through my
chattering teeth.
e.. No. no. counseled Barble I've got y
pan. AAts TO bDtt'lc AZ i''e-t'f --''77f ~
they're forcing the SIDE hall window. 10
Just as Ten YOU -l"s5'e'
Il was almost Wild with fear but / man
aged TO understand Weat II was Baroif'-
wanted ct me, and promised 70 do my best
cone man had evidently come ~ through
the window We had heard them force. lie
was apparently sent IN 70 feconno.ter.
while the others waited outside. We couio
hear his stealtny step slowly ascending tho
stair. Suddenly, as Ire reached the Top ana
paused. SO sun that We could hear his sup
pressed breathing. Barbara brought nor
bare feet down on the floor with sound
like some one jumping our OF bed lnoH
she yaWned-a noisy y@"n AHn " sleepy
man. and liz candle. cur mateA7' Were
NOT the explosive Ni-i~ -" i.' -
we could tell by the slight Increment ia
the hall ana the htlr on the ii'il pore"
that our lght mad been seen from 'He VIM
dow ana tnroHbh tho heyHoie.
Poor Barbara. $40 "Aa fIlt.hs on Hle
pIs odgc, dressed io her sc&nt white boa-
gown. sisnt 70 TtFe any Gre hut te't'-
<os saa to i2ua - a'- nr ,y dew
ca fathers heavy boo-s.
1--WE could slIu hear tho Htue indefinite
rtlr and breathing 81 the man 90 side our