Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-05-05

Il slipped into my clothes, so did
she. We sat still as mice hunched up
in the dark an every time the gas
went up that srreech came!
After a while Mr.. Graham said he
wouldn't stan it no longer we must
put the gas up an down whilst he
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 creep out inter the yard keepin'
in the shadder of the house. Jane, she
put the gas on an off. Every time
she did came that whistle!
There's one tall elum in the yard
an l consated some one was perched
int. Jane thought SO too. Mr.. Gra-
ham staid out good while an when
he came in he made us go to bed but he
sot up all night. l never lost myself
onct. 1 was scairt. l wondered more n
ever folks could be found willin' to
live where there was so much worri-
ment Of mind. Across the yard was
an old house owned by wilder wom-
an. She lived there with a peeked-
faced darter an big sort of over
grown son. The woman was feeble,
saller an thin; yaller as a 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. used
to see the peekedfaced gal there an
sometimes the mother.
"The next night, Tuesday, we sot
in the dark an put the gas up an
down by spells as we had night afore.
Not whistle. Wednesday night we
did an the screechin' whistle came.
The hired girl said the woman's son
wus home that night!
1--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
warm day. To tell the truth I wus
homesick enough, what with layin'
awake worritin' an wearin' my best
clothes.
"All Jane Emmeline's fine furniture
an sale carpets, what wus 1t to my
kitchen, with my new stove, handy bu-
reau an rocker, l seq to myself.
II grew so down in the mouth I
couldn't stan it. peeked out in the
yard. A man wus there a lookin' up
at the elum. 1t wus the police who
wus comm that night. He had a boy
with him. When he went away /
slipped out into the yard for breath
of air, thinkin' of the orchard to home,
clover an dandelions, yaller and rusty
butterflies an David a chasin' Of 'em.
Beyond the elum was that house
an the saller woman settin' at the
winder. She had ON a muslin with the
figgers washed out. She looked spind-
lin. l wus dressed smart enough for
meetin'. wanted to appear real
friendly so nodded and said. How be
your
Poorly: its dretful tryin' weather"
she said.
"P'raps you need some bitters; I
take pennyrial an sage tea mixed to
home" l SEE.
"'She shook her head.
"'Are your folks well?' she asked.
"Yes; it's a general time of health
with u.s.
Cup ruther late nights, you be-
Ruther,' I answered, thipkin' 1t
best not to tell bout the burglar.
"T 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 pet 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; it shines on his cage. What
were you dom the other night? two
or three nights back?' she asked. we
watched ye.'
"I 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 lawyer, and / had on
a silk gown. JUS then I spied Mr..
Graham, an the perliceman in James
chamber. He was a-showin' of him
how the gas light worked.
&c Good day." l said. Mr.. Graham
is home, l must scud inter the house.
"You orter heard 'em laugh when l
told 'em bout the mocking-bird. The
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 gave
me $25 sayin Detectives always make
good pay, mother"
Soon after Mrs. Bunker went home,
delighted with the story, and Mrs.
Dakin and David shut up shop.p For
a long time, with her cat in her arms,
David singing his one little tune, Mrs
Dol.in stood in the omen door Out