The Springfield herald., 1899-05-05

she. We sat still as mice hunched up
in the dark an every time the gas
went up that screech came.
After a while Mr.. Graham said ne
wouldn't stan it no longer we must
put the gas up an down whilst ne
went out in the yard an looked about
Jane TUX on. but Mr.. Graham Is mas
terful an go he would, an go he DID.
He called Jane foolish
He crep' out inter the yard keepln'
in the shadder OF the house. Jane, she
put the gas on an OF Every time
she did came that whistle!
There's one tall elum in the YARD
an consated some one was percheu
int. Jane thought so too Mr. Gfa-
ham staid out a good while an when
he came in he made US go to bed but ne
sot up all night. l never lost myself
onct 1 was scairt- wondered more n
ever folks could be found wiliin' TO
live where there was so much worri-
ment Of mind. Across the yard was
an old house owned by a widder wom-
an. She lived there with a peeked-
faced darter an a big sort OF over
grown son. The woman was feeble
saller an thin; yaller as brass kit
tie. Jane didn't know her. One OF the
hired girls said They were poor, an
the son was off every other night an
slep' day times; the girl KEEP school.
There was only one winder that looked
out on Jane Emmeline's yard. l used
to see the peeked-faced gal there an
sometimes the mother
"The next night, Tuesday, We sot
iu the dark an put the gas up an
down b. spells as we had night afore
Not a whistle. Wednesday night We
did an the screechin' whistle came
The hired girl said the woman's son
wus home that night,
we decided it came from that
house. Mr.. Graham concluded he'd
hire detective man, an he said he'd
put boy in the elum.
That wus Thursday. 1t was a
warm day. To tell the truth l wus
homesick enough, what with layin'
awake worritin' an wear!n' my best
clothes.
"All Jane Emmeline's fine furniture
an sale carpets. what wus it to my
kitchen, with my new stove. handy bu-
reau an rocker, l sez to myself.
Il grew SO down in the mouth l
couldn't stan it. | peeked out in the
yard. A man wus there lookin' up
at the elum. 1t wus the police who
wus comm that night. He had boy
with him. When he went away l
eli spt ha f0r hrQ
OF air, thinkin of the orchard to home,
clover an dandelions. yaller and rusty
butterflies an David chasin' OF 'em.
Beyond the elum was that house
an the saller woman settin' at the
winder. She had on muslin with the
figgers washed out. She looked spind-
lin. l wus dressed smart enough for
meetin'. l wanted to appear real
friendly SO l nodded and said. How be
your
Poorly; its dretful tryin' weather"
she said.
"P'raps you need some bitters; l
take pennyrial an sage tea mixed to
home" l sez.
"'She shook her head.
"Are your folks well?' she asked.
"'Yes; it's a general time of health
with u.s.
"'Up ruther late nights, you be-
"'Ruther,' l answered, thinkin' 1t
best not to tell bout the burglar.
81 shouldn't have noticed it If 1t
hadn't bin jist as it wus,' she said.
My son is nus at the hospital
round the corner every other night. He
don't have many pleasures. His work
is wearin'. He has for a pet a mockin'
bird his sister gave him. When he is
to home he hangs nights in the winder'
he don't want him in his sleepin' room.
We shan't hang him here no more. The
gas over to your house keeps him
whistling; 1t shines on his cage. What
were you a doin' the other night? two
or three nights back?' she asked. we
watched ye.
Il was put to it to know what to say
OF course didn't want my folks poked
fun at, an / didn't want her to think
me stuck up cause James husband was
forehanded an a lawyer, and l had or
a silk gown. JUS then l spied Mr.
Graham, an the perliceman in James
chamber. He was a-showin of hin
how the gas light worked.
80 Good day." l said. Mr.. Graham
is home, l must scud inter the house.
You orter heard 'em laugh when
told 'em bout the mocking-bird. Tht
perlice said. We must put your mother
on the detective force, Mr.. Graham,
an he said this is mothers burglar
surely When l came away, he gav'
me s25 sayin' Detectives always mak'
good pay, mother.
Soon after Mrs. Bunker went home
| delighted with the story, and Mrs
Dakin and David shut up shop" Fo
a long time, with her cat in her arms
| David SINGING his one little tune, Mrs