The Crittenden record. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1904-1907, 1905-12-08
A HUNTING PARTY
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lived alone together. II was pretty
hard for mother, with no man In the
house, and | was only girl OF six
teen. We did all the housewOrk our
selves, which wasn't much, and as
much Of the farm work as we were
able to do. =
Mother never kept any money IN
bank. In the first place, there was no
bank nearer than ten miles, and, In the
second she wouldn't have known how
to keep bank account
One day, one OF our horses having
died, mother went to town TO buy an
other. AT the time one farm hand was
al work for us, man we had engaged
a few days before Mother had been
| gone but about half an hour when he
! came into the house and told me she
/ had asked him TO keep sharp look
| out for me, as / was only girl, alone,
and without protection. lie was so
kindly spoken that at first ! believed
| him. This emboldened him 10 say that
there were tramps lurking about and
D |
there might be In the house In safe
place. Then began TO suspect that
he said this 10 find out whether there |
WIS any money In the house, so told |
him that all the money had been PAID
ont except what mother had taken
with her TO pay for the horse she In
tended 10 buy. Then he threw on all
pretense and ransacked the house. MOI
finding what he was after, he came
into the Kitchen. where was washing
dishes. and. taking up knife. threat
ened 10 XIII me II didn't tell where
the money was kept
Our sex are always dreading such
trials as | was passing through but
when they come we surprise ourselves
bv standing mp under them with unex'
y pcctcd coolness. couldn't see how u
was his interest 90 Kill me, since the Sc
cret (for HIM would die with me.
D Kent my mind bent on the problem OF
how 20 outwit him, but TO outwit a
D man in farmhouse. with no telegraph
n ar teIephone or any one within calling
~ distance. Is not an easy matter. ana
= made no Roadway.
u The only thing could do was TO tell
him that there wasn't any money IN
the house. or, II there was, that
n didn't know where II was kept. rec
commended him 20 look In different
places. the cellar, the cupboard and the
I upstaIrs closets. lie ransackcd every
i' place suggested, but found nothing.
lie was not likely 60 find the place
De where the money was hidden. Our
ne house was very old and had been bull
with an old fashioned big fireplace
~ In the kitchen. Up the chimney, which
was large enough To admit human
holy. mother had taken out n brici
he and broken OF half Of IL This lef'
no roon for any money she had behint
he the brick. When II was put back In 10
le' place Il looked like the other bricks.
In Well. nj last the man grew 80 herc'
. that was afraid he might murde
nc me. aud I told him where the none.
20 was lie at once stood In the chime
~ ana began 10 hunt told him IN
er money was higher. and he pulled th
my Kitchen table on to the hearth. In hl
not search be supported himself 10y bra'
ING his knees aud back. ] showed IN
The table farther In. 80 that Il covered IN
mouth of the chimney Then for IN
ON first time il occurred 10 me that ! In
no him In n trap. There was a heaV
~ cupboard In the Kitchen, and l move
lnk Il against the table Just then ] hear
an exclamation VI delight and knc
y he had found the money.
Ills next move was ~ order me
In take away the table hut ! had anoh'
10 matter % attend to. Knowing TIL
the when he found he couldn't come dow
yer he would go up. ran TO mothers be
mc, room. where since fathers death u
,on. had kept his rife, loaded. standing
nee the head " her bel, aud, SELLING
ow ran outside aud was just In time
all take aim at the mans head. which W
above the top of the chimney.
~" | shall never forget the expression
lint his face when be saw me. mere 81
ole " girl. pointing n rifle at him, cock
and ready 10 drc lie knew enough
the country girls to understand that m'
had " them could shoe, pretty strair
ccp. and that II chose could put hui
AMI through his head.
up see here little girl, you've cauE
the me fair. Now II you'll let me ont
full. this I'll ~ alout my business"
rive didn't like the probability of havi
~ 10 watch him all day, aud " cot
ran have trusted him ! would have
.forc him ~. As u was, ! told him To
below the top " the chimney or
!. I would shoot him. lie Offered TO thr
arm. down the money II ! would let h
n. hut | refused 10 do 81. ms
girls him believe that would carry out
andy threat aud he disappeared down
She chimney. lie called 20 me That
her would burn the money. but even
Their, dldu't move mc.
nong We'll. an this happened In the "a
king morning and till ~ o'clocG !
pur. obliged to keep on a strain lest he q
wit me aud get the upper hand AK
FORT" Then when an was quiet ! heard
sound " horses hoofs and a gcnilcu
sided In n rrd coat came riding Mp TO
favor house
"nld YOU see u hunting party 80