The Coconino sun., 1901-11-09
BURGLARS. MOSQUITOES < < AND CURIOSITY @a <


 hear no more. Her worst fears were realized. Her new neighbors were plainly lunatics. They even wanted to put her in a cage. She scuttled back across the road like a scared old hen.
 The following night there was great excitement at the amateur ex- perimental farm. After the mos. quitoes had been conquered burglars appeared upon the scene. thus show ing that life is constant succession of conflicts.
 It is not likely that burglar whc possessed any signs of human intelli. gence would pick out the experiment, al farm as a likely place from which to make rich haul. But if he did he would find the old house an easy one to enter. Consequently, somewha, elaborate preparations have beer made for his reception. The lady oi the manor keeps beside her bed a huge farm bell, used in the old days to call in the farmhands to supper from the distant fields. Its voice is that of fire alarm gong raised tc the tenth power. The amateur farm. CT himself has revolver. The re. volver is kept in one part of the house and the cartridges in another so that the rising hope of the repub, lie may not. in small boy fashion, ex. pertinent with them. Thus armed the family feels itself ready for any foe.
 On the night in question the anna. teur farmer was wakened by the shrill and brazen clamor of the gong The lady of the manor was waving il frantically in both hands.
 What's the matter?" asked the amateur farmer.
 Burglars! They have light downstairs. Listen! You can hear them moving around the house."
 The amateur farmer advanced to the head of the stairs. Plainly in the lower regions he could see the glim. mer of light and hear the creaking of doors. In his deepest bass voice, with the tremolo stop pulled out to the limit. he demanded: "Who's there?"
 There was no answer. Only the light suddenly went out and another door creaked. Then the lady of the manor again let loose the brazen thunders of the farm bell. It sound ed as if three 4-11 fires had been let loose in the same block. Then armed with an empty revolver and a heavy hand mirror the assembled family slowly descended the stairs, the gong still doing it's worst.
 Below stairs all doors leading to the kitchen were found open, but neither door nor window opening on the outside had been disturbed, nor was any trace of a burglar found. Finally, coming from the dining-room closet were heard sounds of sup pressed sobs and convulsive swallow ings. With a great effort and against desperate resistance from within the door was finally pulled open.
 It was the cooA lady. Between xnivels she told the story.
 "I bane dirsty an go me down. stairs to get me trink of water. Den dot bell ring an you yells: Who is dot?' an l dinks aloud dot revolver an get me in de closet an make de door shut. l. bane so scart," and re- newed and embarrassing sobs broke out.
 Just then rapid hoof beats sounded on the road leading to the barn. In the moonlight old Mazeppa. most re- spectable of phaeton horses. was seen rushing towards the road with man on his back. He was stopped by shouts just as he turned into the main road. The man was the assist. ant experimentalist. He was accused