thundering down upon the devoted heads of her outraged family. Perhaps, at
that terrible moment, she wished her husband had been like other women's
husbands, a true and loyal man, cheering the old flag, and hurling
harmless anathemas at the graceless rebels.

But the chimney did not go by the board, nor the roof come thundering down
upon her head. There was not even a sound of destruction to be heard, and
the sides of the house seemed to be firm and decided in their intention to
maintain their perpendicular position. A few minutes later, when the
committee announced to the multitude the success of their undertaking, and
Fred had displayed the flag from the window, peal upon peal of stunning
huzzas saluted her ears, and the awful peril of the preceding moments
appeared to be averted. The squire, having closed and barricaded the
broken door as well as he could, returned to the room, with curses deep
and bitter upon his lips. He was not in the habit of swearing, but the
magnitude of the occasion seemed to justify the innovation, and he swore
hugely, roundly, awfully. He paced the room, ground his teeth, and stamped
upon the floor.

"Father, did you hear that terrible racket just now?" asked Mrs.
Pemberton. "I thought the side of the house had fallen in."

"What racket?" demanded the squire, pausing in his excited walk.

"I am sure they have broken something."

"It sounded as though it was down cellar," added Susan, the daughter.

"What was it?" asked the father.