Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-08-10

stand upon that teapot Perhaps we
had better follow the example of the
lone lady, who nightly placed her sill
yer in a basket at the foot of the stair
case, with note requesting burglars
to decamp quietly with their booty,
and not molest the inmates. If we
could only arouse Matilda in her atticl
And what It desirable sleeping place
that attic seemed to be just thenl But
l dared not attempt to move.
Presently Dot whispered.
"Are you awaken"
"Yes," 1 replied, with chattering
teeth, II have been awake for an
hour"
80 have L. What can we do?"
bid each other farewell, like the
Babes in the Woods" was my cheer
full reply, as L drew the bedclothes
over my head, "and depart this life
with what grace we may"
Priscilla Driftwood" exclaimed
Dot, bouncing up in bed, with fash
ing eyes, "I'm perfectly ashamed of
you! Depart this life indeedl After
all we have done to get settled in q
home of our own. Let them take the
silver, and welcome: it isn't at all like
ly that they want us. But anything
is better than this suspense"
And Dot was fairly out upon the
floor and at the beaufet before / could
stop her. The moonlight showed
everything distinctly, and 1 felt, as 1
layed there, shaking and helpless,
that was living in story, and that
all these incidents were purely imagi-
native. [ read lately of heroine who
was described as "a graceful young
lady, with wealth of golden hair. F"
My sister Dot was all this, and much
more, as she fitted about with the
softening grace of moonlight upon her
face; and, wrapping herself in scar
let shawl, she grasped the teapot and
ran to the window.
Two men were there, and wagon
they were fully equipped for their
outrageous spoils-and with spasm
of courage Dot threw up the sash, and
th:usting the teapot at them, gasped
out:
''Take it quickly, and be off There
is nothing else in the house worth
taking"
One Of the burgl ars Immediately
raised his hat and came nearer; the
other stared at the apparition with a
vacant grin on his face.
''Sure, an it's crazy she is, intire-
ly," he muttsred, with decided
brogue.
$50 this instant" continued Dot,
getting very indignant. 81 tell you
we have nothing else for you, and you
have nearly killed my sisterl"
"We are really very sorry" said
the taller of the two. "But we are in
considerable trouble, and would be
glad to know if there is any gentleman
about the house?"
''None that is awake" replied Dot,
with great caution, as she looked
steadily at the speaker
But he began to laugh and to my
great amazement, Dot laughed, too.
"There certainly Is mistake here"
said the gentleman, who had changed
his opinion as to her being a lunatic.
"We have met with serious accident
in the breaking down of the wagon
and were discussing the proprietg of
asking for help, not knowing that
your house was occupied only by
ladies. Pray, pity the sorrows of a
poor young man, and forgive the
alarm that L would not, for worlds,
have caused you"
Here l came to the rescue, having
POLITICALLY attired myself in a disrepu-
table wrapper that should have been
in the rag bag long ago, and with my
hair screwed into an ugly little knot
on top of my head; but of all this /
only became conscious when it was
too late. 1t did not seem enough that
[ had been named Priscilla. / was
fated always to appear at disadvan-
tage; while the name of Dorothy
could not crush my more favored sis
| ter.
We finally came to an understand
ing; and now that the veil of terror
was lifted from our eyes, our burglars
resolved themselves into very nice
looking young gentleman, and his
Hibernian charioteer-the former of
whom had lost the night train mile
or two off, and had engaged the latter
to drive him to his fathers residence,
about ten miles distant. But Pat
rick's vehicle gave out unexpectedly,
and retired on the disabled list just
in front of our domicile; and after
discussing the matter awhile, and al
most preparing to spend the night in
the road, they had just decided to
pull our bell, when Dot made an un-
expected onset upon them with the
silver teapot.
Mr.. Irving expressed his thanks for
the article SO generously offer ed, but
could not see that it would be partic-
ularly useful in this emergency, and
Dot retired in great confusion.
The travellers were directed to q
house of entertainment for man and
beast, about half mile off, aud with
many thanks and apologies, our new
acquaintance departed.
81 declare" exclaimed Dot, as we
sought our couch again for what re.
mained of the night, 81 have a great