The Washington times., 1903-07-26
GI]INEA FOWL BURGLAR ALARMS
Rr FLORENCE A. DAWSON.

"No. she won't mind when she gets
home and finds them already gone" said
Marie. Its only the idea of parting
with them she hates And we'll buy her
something pretty with the money they
bring. to console her"
The doctor came in hurriedly as they
were dishing the vegetables. I'm
sorry" he said. but Benefits little
girl is worse I'll have to drive right
over there. and think I'll stay all night
They are so poor and don't know how
to nurse typhoid / don't want to leave
you girls alone, specially as 1t is we'll
known that l am poor patron of banks
and keep great deal of ready money
here in the safe. I think I'll ask Mrs
Stanford TO keep you for the night.
But the girls protested there could be
no danger Don, the watchdog, would
brighten any chance robber away. And
who would know they were alone7
After their father had departed they
ate their dinner, feeling quite important
Later they found that Don was missing.
bad dog. He has slipped OF after
father" said Elsie.
Still they were not a bit afraid. When
bed time came they carried the iron
room, locked up carefully. and went
peacefully to sleep.
About 2 o'clock that night Marie sud
denly awoke under the impression that
day had come, and blinked incredulous-
ly at the moonlight flooding her room.
Everything seemed alive and stirring
Then she realized that 1t was all the
guinea fowls Their harsh, discordant
voices were piercing the air in wild
fright.
Elsie opened her eyes the next mo-
ment
Something has awakened the guinea
hens said Marie.
The girls sat up in bed to listen. There
was heavy tramp across the hall below
and footsteps began TO ascend the stairs
The girls stared at each other with
white faces and could not move The
footsteps reached the top OF the stairs
'sThe girls must know whore IL is.
Let's find their room and make them tell
u.s." said a gruff voice without
Marie and Elsie sprang from bed and
ran to the window. At the same mo-
ment a hand turned their doorknob.
They're awake. ! heard them NOV
ing" said a second voice Come now,
the man continued. rafting the door
you girls tell us where TO find the
money. We know your father left some
here Tell US and Wen go away with
out any trouble.
"shout for help" whispered Elsie
frantically-
The man caught the words. Don't dc
that" he called. threateningly. IF you
scream well break in the door and
shoot you both"
At this moment the guinea fowls. who
had gradually subsidized into silence
broke into fresh cries of alarm. The
J next minute there was a shout beneath
the window.
Hello. there. girlsl Anything wrong
Those guinea hens have been kicking W
such a racket that we came over to see
what was up
"oh. Mr. stanford, Oh boys, Hurry
Robbersi" gasped the girls.
! BE quick; they are breaking down the
! door" screamed Marie.
The robbers, indeed, ia rage and dis
appointment, had flung their whole
weight against the panels. but, as tho
} door withstood their onslaught and as
they heard the rescuing party rush
through the hall below, they turned and
J escaped by the back stairs.
I'VE have two new names for yoiI
guinea hens now" said one OF the San
ford boys the next day. They are
! combination OF burglar alarm and pc.
liceman's rattle"
This time Elsie and Marie did MOI
) mind the joke. After their experienc.
r OF the previous night they had decided
, that the guinea fowls should remain ant
] might make as much noise as thel
{ wished. So when Mrs. Witherbee re
J turned. two weeks later. she was greet
{ ed with an unmelodious song OF welcOm.
] by her pets In the treetops.