Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1915-01-22

Abe's first impulse was to go - TIC
lack door, but it was doubtful It he
could arouse Colonel Twiddie in that
way. So he reluctantly went to the
front door and reverently pulled the
big brass bellknob.
The changing sound thrilled through
the great rooms Of the house. TRert1
was distant stirring overhead. y
light pricked out of the darkness, an>;
Abe, peeriny through the side lights OF
the door, could see Colonel Ywidlie~
wrapped in his dressing gown, descend
ing the stairs, holding Il lighted can
die. 1T the head OF the stairs tiutterett
white robes that indicated that Mrs
TWiddie and the Young ladies had also
been aroused by the uneXpcct,u SUM
mons.
Doubtless visions of kilograms con
tanning uilv'Ul l,Ws LuNc',u around
them.
What the colonel thought one might
not guess, but Abe noticed that his
white hair was tumbled over his fine.
head and that gave to his stern fea-
lures a rather fierce expression.
"Lordy, it may mean jail-but hold
tight, Massa Linkum, l gotter do it,
whispered Abe as the door was throws
open.
"Well:" demanded the colonel. peer
ing out into the porch. 'Oh, it's you,
Abe! What in thunder do you want
ut this time of night"
please, Kunnel Twiddie. I gotter
see you most important, sah,:' pleaded
! Abe.
VERY well, come in-but Wha: has
, happened that you are wandering
around at midnight with a picture un-
der your arm? Your house hasn't;
burned down, eh?''
mo, sab, thank de Lord" returned
Abe, then clutching the frame tightly
under his arm he launched forth into
his story. He spared no detail OF the
plot to steal the colonel's chickens, ex-
cept that he would not divulge the
names of the other conspirators--Dal
Fieer and the hotel proprietor.
"a set of scou;!drels!' fumed the
| colonel testify, turning toward the
stairs, and Abe saw to his mortifica-
ton that Mrs. Twiddie and her two
lovely daughters had donned dressing
| gowns and formed an interested audi
| cnce on the stairs.
You mustn't blame Uncle -Abc, Hol:
ace protested Mrs. TWiddie. -
| Eyes, ole MISS" said Ale sadly. x
!. done planned ter steal them hens. I
! talked it over with Marsc Lilkum,
| and he looked so nachurally sad and
| Disguised dat I turned his kind face
! to dc wall and went my wicked way.
Den, waiting dcre by de henhouse for
! Ode Odder villun, sab, jes' couldn't
! make out ter do it-and, being q weak
sinner, L jes' brought .Marsc %Linkups
.erlong to sort of bolster me upland
OATS ALL
lie mean?" cried the ladies in chorus.
So Colonel Twiddie lighted the big
globular lamp On the newell post and
made Abe display his treasure and ex-
plain how 1t had helped him to over
come the temptation to steal in order
to obtain the much coveted money to
pay his expenses north, where HANNAH:
! Mary AMI tn" "chillun'' awaited his
coming.
If | die before l gifts dere," Abe
| ended yravcly. Il reckon my con
science will be clear anyways! And
fat'S SOmafhinp evan If dom morn chill
]uns don't never see dere wicked old
| grandpappy!'
Colonel Twiddie's hand came dow,
upon the bent shoulder. Don't you
| worry about that, Abe" he said hearti-
~. 1--WE been wanting tc buy your
land and cabin, but l didn't know you
wanted to sell 1t. Come over at II