The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-04-14

then Miss Hr.sSy with the lamp. then
Miss Tempy, who. as she said after
ward, was "toO scared to go ahead and
dasn't 60 last" Clara brought up the
rear. They peered cautiously into the
dining room. 1t was empty.
There" exclaimed Miss Prlssy, IL
guess twas nothin' but Tempy's imagi-
nation, as usual. She"-
The words died on her lips. There
came a sound from the kitchen-they
all heard it-a rattling sound and the
faint squeak Of door.
Bradley sprang to the coal hod and
picked up the poker. 1t was the only
apology for n weapon in sight. He
started for the kitchen, but Miss Prissy
seized him by the jacket and Miss
Tempy threw both arms around his
neck.
Don't you stir, Bradley Nickerson,"
whispered the older sister. Don't you
stir step! SpOse he had revolver
Bradley tried to. free himself. but 1t
was hard work. He unclasped Miss
Tempy's arms from his neck, but she
Immediately seized him around the
waist. 1t was ridiculous situation,
and suddenly he became aware Of q
cold wind blowing from the direction
Of the front hall.
''Is that front door open?" he VII j.
pered.
The Mortified sisters turned to stare.
at the black tunnel Of the hall, and
then footballs were heard on the walk,
coming up the steps. Clara's voice be-
came audible. She was speaking in
agonized whispers.
who began Bradley.
Clara appeared. clinging to the arm
Of Captain Fri Hedge. Captain Fri
looked puzzled, but he grlnned when
he saw the tableau in the dining room.
He told the story the next morning
to his messmates, Captain Perez and
Captain Jerry, about as follows:
You see, I'd been up to lodge meet
In and stayed little longer'n usual.
was comm home by the short cut,
and jest as got abreast the old maids
house the front door bust open, and
somethin' comes prancin' down the
walk fiutterin' and flappin' its arms
like hen tryin' to fly. Thinks I.
Has that speritu'list camp meetin' /
went to last summer struck inT
"But the critter swooped out Of the
gate and bore down on me like q hawk
on June bug. Then I see twas Clara
Hopkins, scarf pretty nigh to death.
"'Oh. Cap'n Err says she. oh.
Cap'n Err
1.-The same says l. What's the
rowr
Burglars" says she, maxim fast
= my arm. 'Burglarsv
y"I had to laugh. l couldn't help 1t.
Burglars at 10 o'clockf' J says. Did
they come to SUPPER
But they're therev she says. 'Ev-
erybody heard 'em, Bradley and ALL
II couldn't b'lieve twas burglars
even then, but knew II Brad Nlcker-
SON took any stock In It somethin' was
up. And the poor girl was tremblin''
like Peleg Myrick's pup.
"'All right. Clara says l. Lets 20
In fnd shake hands with EN-
$50 In we went. When we struck
the dinin' room there was Brad In the
middle Of the floor lookin' pretty toler'-
BILE foolish, with Prissy moored to his
coattails and Tempy with a Glove
hitch round his waist. All hands look
ed s'prised to see me, but no more n /
was to see them. What IL thisT says
]. Living statuesY
BRAD, he kind of grinned. Well
says he. the ladies thought they heard
some one In the kitchen, but guess
Thought we heard 'emv busts out
Prissy. Why. you heard 'em your.
self.
"And now Brad. he held up his
hands, poker and all. Ill right, all
right" says he. Now that we're re-
enforced maybe we'd better 60 out and
interview 'em. They might die of old
age II we stay here much longer
$50 he winked to me and the feet
got under way. Me and Brad led of.
like couple Of tugs. and the women
folks strung out behind. like coal
barges, holdin' on to each others
wrappers and breathin' hard.
I'VE opened the kitchen door and
sailed in--that Is. Brad and l did. The
coal barges got In lump. SOS to speak,
In the doorway and stayed there.
There was a lamp burnin' side of q
pan Of dough on the table. but. Jest as
l expected, we was the only humans In
sight.
Looks as II the burglars had got
tired OF waitin' for us and got mad
and gone home says I. Don't know
what they broke into the kitchen for,
anyhow. I've heard Of fellers steal
In a redhot stove, but
Brad looked puzzled. sort of. 4
sartinly heard something movin' out
here. he says. Most likely twas q
stray cat, and it's hidin' around some
vxvho