Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-09-29
90 20 40 5000 SOC 5000
MISS NARY
!. JAMES BURGLAR.

co. c.C = o 80 - 80 Cox $50 Ok ~ Go
Miss Mary Jane Simpkins was near her
fortieth birthday, but did not look to be
a day over 50. She had, many years be-
FORE her love affair followed by mis-
understanding. the reason Of which was
so securely locked in her breast that. al
though many had been the conjectures
in regard TO ii. vet no one had surmised
the exact truth concerning the lovers
quarrel.
As time slipped by her village friends
had almost forgotten the existence Of
sam Hopkinson, her beau of more youth
ful days, who had, to every ones sur
prise. Miss Jane excepted, suddenly left
for parts unknown, but who had been
heard Of rs chance some few years ago
as having made snug little pile in Aus
tralia.
One afternoon she had sent her maid
servant with some jelly and a freshly
killed chicken TO a sick neighbor.
The sound of footsteps on the front
graveled walk made her pause in her
work TO listen. Then some one knocked
and Mt the same time stealthily turned
the knob of the screen door and stepped
in.
Only last week the big house on the
hill had been visited by a burglar, who
had departed rs quietly as he came with
some old family plate and several vaIu-
able pieces Of jewclry. What if this were
the same thief. emboldened by his former
success, to pay her home a visit in broad
daylight, with the hope of similar plum
der? Not il a woman's prompt action
and courage could prevent, thought Miss
Mary Jane. So. hastily opening a bu-
reau drawer and picking up a revolver,
both old fashioned and unloaded, which
had lain there many years, she crept
swiftly down stairs, where. with his back
turned toward her, stood strapping big
fellow. who turned as she reached him
and. taken by surprise. stepped quietly
backward toward the door of the closet
located under the stairs and then at
tempted TO pass her.
Summoning all her courage and point
ing her weapon of defense at his head.
she cried, "Open that closet door if you
value your life,'' Whereupon the impu-
dent fellow exclaimed, Why, Miss Mary
Jane"
Don't Mary Jane me- she shouted.
"but open that door,' now thoroughly
courageous with righteous anger at the
fellows bold insolenee. As he turned
and opened the door she gave him push,
shut the closet door with a bang, at the
same time turning the key with dexter
ity surprising even to herself.
Thank heaven, she had him good and
fast and now needed the assistance only
of some passerby to take her prisoner
bodily. His voice reached her but indis-
tinctly through the heavy door, but she
could hear her name in muffied tones.
Miss Mary Jane, Miss Mary Jane, open
the door," Not much. But how manage
to summon aid? The large brass dinner
bell, used in her fathers day, would be
the thing, and in moment she had seiz-
ed the heavy thing and with the revolver
still clutched in the other hand rang the
bell first at one window, then another.
Surely some one would hear and come TO
her rescue, and as the seconds dragged
along for what seemed hours, but were in
reality enly few minutes. she saw some
one coming across p eighbor Smiths lawn,
and she rang harder and louder. What
if her prisoner should burst the door and
escape? "Come quicker she shouted
"Come quicker, and take him away!"
By this time Jonas Smith had reached
the kitchen door, followed by several
more neighbors, who had also become
aware Of something unusual in the noise
and connection.
take who away" asked Jonas. add
ing, You had better let me take that
frearm away, or you will be shooting
yourself or one of us"
Burglar, Entry Closet gasped Mary
Jane and. handing him the revolver, col
lapsed on the kitchen steps without an
other word of explanation.
Muttering something about noise
enough for fire." he trudged in, follow
ed by the rest, and, arming himself on
the way with the kitchen poker besides
the revolver, he made straight for the en-
try closet.
'Stand around" he shouted, with an
air of military command. You, Deacon
Adams, unlock the door, and you, Seth
Fisher, open it, while the rest be ready
to seize and hold the rascal"
No sooner said than done, and in less
time than it takes to tell five pairs of
hands had seized the occupant of the
closet, although. strange TO say, he made
no resistance. but exclaimed "A nice
way to welcome home an old friend,
threaten TO shoot MN, lock MN up ana
then when nearly suffocated liberate him
in this playful manner. Don't you know
me, boys?' as he met their look Of blank
amazement.
"Why, if it amt Sam" shouted Jonas.
absently extending first the revolver and
then the poker for a friendly handshake
and then fiourishing them both at the
rest of the crowd.
why. so it isl" exclaimed Seth, and
by this time Miss Mary Jane, having re-
covered her breath and hearing the con-
versation. nearly tainted when she real
lied her mistake.
after mutual explanations and the
rescuing party had at last departed Mary
Jane and Sam, for he it was, though
much changed by additional flesh and a
heavy beard sat down in the best room
to talk it over and explain, she that her
inhospitalty was due to his own manner
of call and he to tell of his desire to see
her first and have his first welcome from
his old sweetheart" besides the fun of
surprising her.
The following month q qniet wedding
Il u.