Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-06-13
II. Tibbets' Meteors.

ing ping-ponS OH my ear drum all
night. do you:"
AND Mr.. Tib1ets c-awled YEARLY out
of bed and made deliberately for tie
bureau. But he had neglected TO allow
leeway for the steamer trunk that lay
in his path. There was n sound as of
shin-bone coming into quick contact
With some resisting substance having
sharp edge. Mr.. Tibl>ets set suddenly
down ON the trunk. seized his foo; by
the heel. and huggsd i: to his bosom.
For Il space there was no sound he:rt,
save seething of the breath rs II was
sucked in between the teeth. closely
followed by long moan in descend
ing scale. -Afterward. in explaining the
matte: 20 his wife. Mr.. Tibbets ac-
counted for his temporary silence on
the ground that so many strong words
cane to his mind in hurry that his
sense of selection was temporarily
naralyZed. Bat it soon returned. and
Mrs. T!bbe;s. who was experienced,
confessed that she had never before
heard such d variety anu profusion of
powerful language. 1t was ornate and
original. end greatly augmented Mrs.
Tiboets' opinion of her husbands re-
sources when reduced TO extremities.
When Mr.. Tibbets was able TO walk
he made his way cautiously to the
bureau and proceeded TO open and rum
mage each drawer but the right one.
He finally secured the clock. however.
and deposited it in the corner OF the
Eall furthest from the door.
Once in the night Mrs. Tibha:s
missed him. She looked about in
alarm. Had he gone alone to see the
meteors: She got up hastily and crept
into the hall. A white-robed figure was
emerging s;ealthily from the attic
stairway.
William. you've been without me-"
Il suppose didn't need you 10 carry
it."
Gerry WHAT"
Tile clock. What do rou think I
am proving around at this hour for
If not to get that coacourded thing out
Of hearing: Do you imagine am cut
her, practicinG cake-wali;:"
Mrs. Tibbets said nothing. but re-
tired. In short time both were
asleep.
Then there came sound OF an alarm.
hideous and changing. disturbing the
hal!owed quiet of the night. Mrs.
Tibbcts seized her husband by the
arm
There it is.' SIZE cried.
There's WHAT"
THE clock. 1t just wen: oc. Didn';
you hear it:''
"No-did it? Come a.on. Quick
woman. or wei be late" Thrusting
their feet into their respective slip
pers. the pair proceeded hastily to-
ward the attic stairs.
Ma. oh. ma
The voice came from the chamber OF
William, Junior.
Say. ma. that WASH; the alarm
c!cck. 1t was only an automobile. ]
think il was Jimmy Eloodgood's Pink
Devil"
Mrs. Tibbets crept quickly back to
he'd. and was shortly feigniag slumbcr
Mr.. Tibhets followed. but whether it
was on account Of his sleepy condition
or his Indignation. he again neglected
10 make the necessary calculations for
the steamer trunk. There was another
collision with thar obstruction. and he
resumed sudden seat thereon.
"O-O-Oh" lie moaned. rs soon as
he had breath TO spare; Its the same
one"
The same what. dearest" Inquired
Mrs. Tibbets n some alarm.
"Oh-thc sanle--shin."
Mrs. Tibbcts s:.d 10 moro. for she
knew 1t was best Just then not to lis
;urb her husband IN his travail
When Mrs. T.bbe;s next awoke It
was due TO violent shaking o. the
shoulders
Hank whispered her husband.
There's burglars
They looked ut each other in alarm
and listened. Sure enough. there were
footsteps coming down the attic stairs.
But il was apparently Il very careless
attempt at stealth.
DO hurry. William. and sec what II
is" urged Mrs. Tibbets in excitement.
Mr. Tih5ets thought Of pistols. sud-
DEN death. aEd-of the steamer trunk
but he was valiant. He jumped oat of
he'd and rushed into the hall lust as
the door ut the foot of the attic stairs
burst omen. owing to violent Impetus
being impaired thereto by the cook
who appeared suddenly with her arms
full Of garments. her best bonnet on.
and her purse in her teeth.
where's the fire." she gasped
Where Is it? Have we time to git out:
The saints presarve us"
What fire? Where's the fire.
"Surc an didn't yez hear tn alar-
vum:'
where? What alarm? The WON
ans mad"
But then a light suddenly dawned
upon him. and he said. in some
x.-hnt anCfoNnffc .r.,,a.