The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-28

movements Beyond the door ana knew
they were barricading il with furniture
Long before daylight hurried removal
of the barricade awoke him. Then he
heard a rap at the door and the excited
/ voice Of Tunk.
"Say, mister, come here quick" IT
called
Sidney Trove 1eaped out of bed and
into his trousers. He hurried through
the dark parlor, feeling his way around
cIump of chairs and stumbling over
| a sofa. The two old maids were at the
kitchen door. both dressed, one holding
q lighted candle Tunk Hosely stood
by the door. buttoning suspenders with
one hand and holding musket in the
other. They were shivering and pale.
| The room was now cold
"Hear THAR Tunk whispered, turn
/ ing to the teacher.
They all listened, hearing a low
weird cry outside the door.
.'Soun's t. me like a raccoon," Miss
| SAMANTHA whispered thoughtfully.
| 'Or lamb said Miss Letitia
''Er a painter Tunk ventured, his
/
Lets open the door," said Sidney
! Trove, advancing.
Not me-" said Tunk firmly, raising
his gun.
Trove had not time to act before
they heard cry for help on the door
step. 1t was the voice of a young girl
He opened the door, and there stood
Mary Leblanc, scholar of Linley
school and the daughter of poor
Frenchman. She came in Juggling ba-
by wrapped in a big shawl and both
crying.
"Oh, Miss Tower" said she, '.pa has
come out O. the woods drunk an has
threatened to kill the baby Ma wants
to know if you'll keep it here tonight"
The two old maids wrung their hands
with astonishment and only said 'yr'
.Of course We'll keep it, said Troye
as he took the baby.
II must hurry back" said the girl,
now turning with a look of relief.
Tunk SHE'D off and began to build q
fire Miss SAMANTHA sat. down weeping,
the girl ran away in the darkness, and
Trove put the baby in Miss Letitia's
arms 4e<...a-
"I'll run over to Leblanc's cabin"
said he, getting his cap and coat.
They're having trouble over there"
He left them and hurried off on his
way to the little cabin.
Loud cries of the baby rang in that
abode Of silence. 1t began to kick and
squrm with determined energy. Poor
Miss Letitia had the very look of panic
in her face. She chung to the fierce lit
tie creature. not knowing what to do.
Miss SAMANTHA lay back in fit Of hys-
terics Tunk advanced bravely, with
brows knit, and stood looking down at
the baby.
Lord, this is awful said he. Then
a thought struck him. "I'll git some
milk" he shouted, running into the
buttery.
The baby thrust the cup away, and
it fell noisily, the milk ming over
a new rag carpet.
Its sick. I'm sure it's sick" said
Miss Letitia, her voice trembling.
SAMANTHA, can't you do something's"
Miss SAMANTHA Gained herself a lit
tie and drew near.
"Jes' like a wheat said Tunk
thoughtfully. Powerful, too" he add
ed, with an effort to control one of the
kicking legs.
what shall we do?" asked Miss Lee
titia.
MY sister had a baby once" said
Tunk, approaching it doubtfully, but
with studious look.
He made a few passes with his hand
in front Of the baby's face. Then he
gave it little poke in the ribs tenta-
lively The effect was like adding in
suit to injury
IF twas mine," said Tunk, (which
I'm glad it amt, I'd rub little O. that
boss IMMINENT on his stummick."
The two old maids took the baby into
their bedroom. 1t was an hour later
when Trove came back. Tunk sat /,
alone by the kitchen fire. There was
yet loud wall in the bedroom.
whats the news?'' said Tunk, who |
met him at the door.
Drunk, that's ALL" said Trove 'I
took this bottle. slung shot and bar of |
iron away from him. The woman |
thought I had better bring them with |
me and put them out Of his way"
He laid them on the floor in a cor |
ner.
Il got him into bed" he continued, /
"and then hid the ak and came away. |
I guess they're all right now. When
left he had begun to snore."
WAL, we amt all right" said Tunk.
pointing to the room. ''If you can