The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-18
HFROICMFAASURFS
By Henrietta Davidson

1t was week before the sudden emergency
bobbed up. Nellie had appeared nervous and
absentminded all the afternoon She had
overhauled her wardrobe. She had started to
write letter or two and given it up. She
had roamed up and down stairs and walked
outdoors. The young engineer had not shown
up as usual, and this was looked upon with
suspicion. After supper tears were seen in
NelAe's eyes, and as she walked IN the
orchard the wife said to her husband:
abraham, it's tonight
'What?" he asked. :ss|.z
1.-The elopement'
You don't mean it, Mary"
Yes, do. Nellie's been preparing for it
all the afternoon, and she means to slip out
OF the mouse as soon as we are abed and go of
with hlm.lye been watching her like cat,
and she can't fool her mother
And what shall we do?''
Leave that to me. You just act as if moth
ing was going on, and I'll give you my word
to stop any elopement and cure that girl of
her foolishness.''
At bedtime Paul Harper was still missing,
and Nellie sat under the cherry tree by the
back door. AS the father started for the barn
to make all fast for the night the mother
asked the girl to go with her to the SPRING
house TO strain the evenings milk But few
words exchanged between them. AS
they finished their work the mother swiftly
passed outdoors, slammed and locked the
door behind her, and the would-be eloper was
a prisoner The jailer had hardly reached
the house, with the key in her hand and a
grim smile on her face, when Abraham came
in from the barn. He was chuckling and
rubbing his hands together.
1--WE locked Nell Up in the springhouse"
said the mother she hung up the key, s'and
she'll stay right there till morning.
And I've done something just as cute,'
chuckled the father. Just as I shut up
the barn along come that Teller across lots,
and he was going on to tell me that he
guessed he'd have to go back to town next
week, when I grabbed him and showed him
into the outdoor cellar and locked the door
on him He won't run off with our gal TO-
night. he won't!'
Abraham, you are mighty cute"
"And so are you.
They didn't go to bed at once. They sat
up for an hour to see if the prisoners wouldn't
raise an alarm and beg to be released No
alarm was raised, and, concluding that they
were ashamed and sulking, the old folks
finally retired. Excitement kept them awake
for awhile longer, but sleep had held them
fast for three or four hours when the wife
suddenly sat up in bed and almost shouted:
Abraham Johnson, get out of bed quick
ever you can't
'sW-What's the matter, Mary?' he asked
as he opened his eyes,
The matter is that we are two OF the
biggest fools in America! Get your buds on
without losing a mfnute!'
But what is it?' he asked as he got out of
bed.
II locked Nell up in the springhouse, didn't
II"
Eyes, you said you did, and don't believe
she can bust her way OUT
And you locked that young Teller up in
the outdoor CELLAR"
II did, and he's safe as a rat in trap.
Now, what's all this fuss about?''
Why, you silly old thing! Don't you re-
member that there's passageway between
the springhouse and cellar, and can't you
understand why there wasn't no shouting and
pounding to get out!'
Lord bless me!'' gasped Abraham as he led
the way down stairs and out of the house.
Paul Harper returned to the city the next
week, but Nellie had her engagement ring
first