| Show helen gaisford GaI I 1 so LD MB MR THOMPSON sat quietly 0 OLD by Us his fire he had sat so watching the leaping flames ev cry ery evening for years at nine 0 clock he would rise rather unsteadily lately drink a glass of hot water and go to bed but tonight was new tear year a eve and although the clock on the mantel whirred loudly and struck nine times and the fire died to smoldering cm em bers hers he did not move the family had gone to the new years party at the schoolhouse where all but the very young and very old were gathered As be he sat on dreaming of other new tears year s the old man had a daring thought now tonight he would go out and visit with his cronies as he used to do and welcome the year in with toasts and laughter and have a good time he struggled into his heaviest wraps and taking his cane went out on the windswept porch carefully he picked his way through the falling snow hold ing fast to the rail ing then the fence and then the neigh bor x he ile turned in at the next gate and safely crossed the icy ley walk slowly laboriously he climbed the steps and rang the bell although he could couta have sworn a aig light lit had just been amov ing through the house now all was dark and still he ile rang again A child cried and there was a mut fled curse old mr thompson pounded on the door he ile heard beard a table fall and the crash of glass the child screamed in the back a door slammed men were run ning and an engine roared away into the distance the old man tried the door it was unlocked he ile went in and felt tor for a light on the floor lay old mrs peabody limp As he struggled to raise her she regained consciousness oh she cried did they get the baby I 1 don t know he answered what happened kidnapers they tried to steal little barbara I 1 guess one of them knocked me down from the hall came a cry and at that moment the old couple smelled smoke flames were licking the over turned table but they were soon ex and the frightened barbara released from auf fling blankets how fortunate you came said mrs peabody you have saved us both it was nothing he answered I 1 just dropped in to say happy new year if you are sure you re all right I 1 R go now its nearly twelve atay and celebrate thank you not tonight he ile made his way home through the swirling snow horns were blowing as the old man climbed the stairs and silently went to bed 6 06 western union |
