Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-06-12
"Jacke" she cried as he stepped

1
back.
"Yes. What made you do that?"
"Oh, Jack, l was so frightened! /
thought you'd gone to bed, and the
door opened. And you know what
the paper said about these new
people being strong-arm men and
robbers. / was sure they were COM
ing in to steal everything in the
house, and perhaps murder us after
ward. You don't know how nervous
am! I'll tell the police in the
morning. What were you doing out
here?"
Getting some fresh air. That's
ALL"
Il thought you were one of those
strong-arm men in No. 90. Have you
seen anything of them this evening
since / went out!"
Mrs. Ladd had way of asking
questions without waiting for an an
swer. So, as Jack did not reply i'm
medately, she let this one 60 and
struck off on another track:
YOU'D better go to bed, Jack.
You'll never be able to get up in
time for business in the morning.
Come in, and III bolt the door and
close the window shutters myself
Then III know it is done"
"But-but-dad isn't in yet
Mrs. Ladd swung around with
bounce to face her son.
What? Do you mean to tell me
your father is staying out till after
eleven, with me worried and fright
ened as l am? Nonsense! III 60
and see."
She went in and ran up the stairs.
| "Christopher!" blurted out Jack.
|"I wish dad would come out of
thatw
In sheer desperation he leaned
over the railing and pressed the bell
button of No. 90.
| 1t seemed to him as if there never
would be a response to his ring. Blu,
he resolved to find out something il
he had to wait out there till morn.
ing.
He was reaching over the rail
again to get at the bell when sud.
denly the door opened.
AT the same instant he heard his
mothers step in his own hall.
She had left the door open when
she ran in to find out whether her
husband was in bed. Jack banged it
shut. His mother, in the pitch-dark
hall-for the dining-room and kit
chen doors were closed-uttered
little shrieks of mingled fright and
anger.
where is she, Jack?" asked hol-
low voice.
1t was Jacks father. Mr.. Ladd was
ed out of the doorway of No. %.
She's coming, dad!" was Jacks
sharp warning. Get back there"
A tremendous rafting inside the
Ladd's front door bore out Jacks
words. Clearly Mrs. Ladd was hav.
ing lively time with the spring.
lock in the dark. Her tone was
muffled by the thickness of the door
| as she called out to her son:
Jack, l can't get this knob to
turn! What's the matter with it?'
You must be twisting it the
wrong way, mother!" he shouted.
Then, in low, earnest voice to
his father, who was about to run
down the steps of No. % TO the
gate:
Don't do that, dadl Mothers
coming right out"
"Thundcration! What shall ] do?"
Cant you so back where you
came from-into that house? They
haven't turned you out, have they?"
Certainly we have not" inter.
jected the strong-arm girl-and Jack
noted that her articulation was like
the tinkle of silver bell. 'He can
come back if he will"
"Sure he can!" chorused the stocky
man and boy, standing just inside.
Then, for Heavens sake, do it,
dad, while you're safe!"
That's all right, my boy. But
can't stay in there. l want to get
home to bed. have to go to work
in the morning"
what were you doing in there,
anyway, dad?"
Just a little business with Mr.
Well, can't tell you his name nor
what the business is. That is, II
can't tell you now. ! will later
Lord, this is awful'
He was in profuse perspiration.
His derby hat hung on the back OF
his head with forlorn droop. His
necktie had worked around under
one ear; his waistcoat was unbot.
toned at the top, and his white SHIRT.
front stuck out.
The night air sent a chill over him
He uttered a wheczy cough
What the dickens am ! TO do.
T.,