The Lamar register., 1898-04-30

up.
He wont come tonight" she told
herself. and blew out the best lamp.
AZ the seif-same moment the gate
latch creaked dolorously. and Miss Ar
ethusa, all In the dark. gave a little
nervous jump.
It's the burglars!" cried she. And
] meant to have oiled up the lock of
Grandfather whistleton's old gum"
But Miss Areihusa was by no means
n coward. Old Obediah Whistleton,
her grandfather. had fought. and not
disereditably. In the Revolution, and
she inherited something OF his spirit.
Seizing the poker. she rushed out, fol-
lowed by Dan. the dog.
Sick 'em. Dan" she cried out. "S-s-
sick 'em. Get outl Clear! I'll teach
you to come disturbing folks at this
time OF night Land aliyei" in a sort
of scared soto voice. they've fell
down cellar. the whole band of 'em,"
And 1t was but the work of second
for Miss Arethusa to close the yawning
trap door. and secure 1t by chain and
bar
Now. Dan. she cried. in accents of
scarce suppressed exuItation. watch
en-. Watch 'em. boy. till come backl'
So saying. Miss whistleton set brisk
ly forth through the misty darkness
for the sky was overcast and threaten
ed rain-toward the house OF her broth
er-in-law wynyard.
Mrs. wynyard had gone to bed. The
Miss Wynyards. Mabel and Efie. were
yawningly putting up their hair in curl
papers, bat the farmer was yet adding
up his weeks accounts in the kitchen
by the light Of sputtering tallow can
die In tin candlestlck.
Why. bless mel" cried he. opening
bis mouth as wide as Dutch doll. ''it's
Thusy,"
Yes" painted Arcthusa. Its me.
Come quick! Burglars"
MOI" said the farmer.
Yes cried Arethusa. impatiently.
rlueking at the sleeve OF his coat Call
Jim, Get the erowbari Load up your
pistols' They're all down cellar. and
Dams a-watchins 'em,"
You don't say sol- said Mr.. Wyn-
yard. How many OF 'em?"
Three, at the very least," painted
the terrified maiden Make haste. or
they'll be escaping. and wouldn't miss
the chance Of lodging them in state
prison on any account.
So Sir. wynyard. his stout farmland
Jim and two OF the nearest neighbors.
summoned as hastily as might be. set
forth valiantly in behalf OF unprotected
femininity. as represented by Miss Ar
sthusa whfstleton
Dan was faithfully maintaining his
post at the door OF the cellar when the
little party arrived on the scene. car
the touch of Miss Areihnsa's hand on
his collar could induce him to with
draw.
BE careful now" cautioned Miss
Areihusa. as Jim unbarred the lock
and opened the cellar door, only
suppose they were to rush out at you."
Then | calculate there'd be more
rushes than onei" said Jim, with
grin.
Still nobody appeared.
II hope to goodness gracious they
haven't escaped" said Miss Arethusa.
Come out. your' bawled the squire:
and at that imperative summons be-
draggled figure iimped slowly forward.
1--WE sprained my ankle" 1t faltered.
"and I've fallen into the barrel of soft
soap. and the dog has worried me, and
now," with little dodge. as he espied
the shining muzzle of Mr.. Vineyards
pistol. Il suppose I'm to be shott But
what it's all about. don't know"
Why" bawled the farmer. its Mr..
Pouncington."
MIR. Pouncington," echoed Miss Ar
ethusa And she tainted.
Mr.. wynyard took the diseonsolate
swain home in his lumber wagon-but
he never came again.
I'm not accustomed to be treated in
this sort of way when / call on a LADY,"
said Mr. Pouncington.
And, when one comes to reflect on
the matter. it did seem little inhos
pitable-