The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1911-12-23
~ I !! !!
q. q.
~ UNCLE JIN1'S BURGLAR n
&S!9~55a..>S !. ~

would come right over to us, but unfor-
tunately she slipped and twisted her foot
in hurrying to get ready, and had to
stay at home
I'VE did not know this, and the morn
ing passed drearily enough. The house
| was in dtorder, for mother had been
getting ready for Christmas. 1t was
painful to view these interrupted prep
arations, so Jim and / faint heartedly
finished putting up the evergreens in the
parlor. Then we amused ourselves by
| trying to bake the mince pies. Here we
were not successful We burned them to
a cinder:
THE afternoon dragged by. Soon 1t
would be dark, and the woman had not
come, neither did our parents arrive,
and worst of all, Jim was acting so
mysterously that he almost drove me
era y All the afternoon he had been
going about with two red spots on his
cheeks. Then he kept pressing his lips
| together in such a provoking way that l
got quite cross with him. He also went
| all round the house, examining the fas-
Jennings of the doors and windows, till at
last ! was so puzzled that | could stand
it no longer.
jim | said what's the matter?
Will you promise not TO be fright
ened?' he asked.
| Il promised, and taking the milk pail,
| he led the way to the barn. | had to
wait till he finished milking the COW and
had fastened the barn door. Then he
took me to the hen house, and looking
| pantiDng1V rOun1 in 10 of
pointed to some white chalk marks on
the door. Those marks weren't here
two days ago., he said with glitterng
eyes.
Il was completely mystiied.
Come back to the house., he said in
low voice. 1 will explain there and
| locking the doors behind us as we went,
| he beat a retreat to the kitchen fire.
when we were comfortably seated by
it, he said, Don't be nervous, Mollie,
I'll protect you. Child and he lower
ed his voice, they are going TO attack
this house tonight. Those chalk marks
that | discovered are private signs. They
leave them wherever they go
| Who leaves them / exclaimed.
| Tramps and burglars. Don't you re-
member the tale of Bright Eye, the Bur
! glar,' and do you remember that father
! said some one had been sleeping in our
| barn night before last? They're prob
ably Keeping an eye on US. If any other
tramps come along, they will join them.
To night will be their chance, for they
will easily find out that mother and ia
| Their are away
jim | said, having hard work not
70
! bors
Too late,' he returned The bur-
! glars are probably in the pine wood,
watching, and would catch us on the wav
| there
AT this | cried outright, but Jim soon
dried my tears.
He was brave if he was misguided,
and in intense admiration / sat gazing
at his red cheeks and bright eyes, while
he told me he had resolved to die, if
| necessary, in defense of fathers prop
| erty.
81 shall never forget our wait for the
burglars that night, as we sat close to
the cracking fire. Outside a storm rose,
and the snow blew against the window.
When the clock struck eleven Jim
said soemnly, 1t is time to make prep
arations.'
Il had such entire confidence in him
that ! never thought of questioning any
| thing he did. Like little dog, follow
ed him about the house, watching him
lock doors and store in out-of- the way
places the few valuables we possessed.
Finally he shut all the doors and went
back to the kitchen.
Then he laid his hand on the big ring
of the trap-door leading to the cellar,
and threw it open.
Il wondered what he was going to do,
but my teeth We've chattering so that
could not frame a question
Descending the short, steep steps,
while ! held the candle for him, Jim
surveyed the winter apples about him.
Then he drew Immediately under the
open door tub of picked pork, a few
cabbages and some potatoes, and while
he did so | heard him mutter to himself
something about breaking a fall
These preparations made, he skipped
nimbly up the steps, and watched him
in anna ement, as, instead of dropping
the door, he allowed it TO remain open.
IF they're coming tonight, they'll soon
Ht IVY, ne Sd'u NOlIle, pun tnat can
die on the window ledge and listen to
me. When say "EXtinguish!" put out
the candle, and when | call out light"
be all ready to light it again. That is
your duty. Stand well in the corner be-
hind the table so you won't get hurt
Now here is my trusty friend all ready
for use, and lovingly handling that
wretched revolver, he laid it on chair
near the side door.
"All the other chairs he placed against
the wall, and threw the rag mats in a
heap in the corner, making a clear
course from the entrance to the trap
door.
over by the window, my head rising
above the table whenever my limbs did
not double helplessly under me, / kept
my astonished eyes on him. Occasionally
he let fall such bold sentences as The
time draws near Stout hearts and ready
hands" and at last with the exclamation,
IN make an observation he approached
the window.
With a cautious hand he raised
AF