Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-06-09


when you get claw at them, fast enough, -
said Peters.
Il am inclined to think" said Goggs,
bringing bis chair down again on its four
legs with tremendous crash, THAT I
shall not look at those papers after they
are got"
"But you won't withdraw the cash p
suggested Peters, incredulously smiling.
That would be meant
"Well, n-n-noo," said Goggs, not
quite brave enough to bear being called
mean.
"And you wont sneak out of the fun
Thursday night"
"N-noo," said Goggs once more not
brave enough to lose such fun.
Then the door was shut, and Peters
was. gone, and the boy who wouldn't chat
ter lightly about little wee white school
girl. in sky-blue dress, had subscribed
fifty dollars to effect burglary, and CIV
en- his word that he would take part in it!
''Tbat's just such fool as 1 am r.
thought Goggs. with melancholy smile.
But how could he help it now? Alb, that
was the worst of it, There is the folly of
a foolish thing and the wrong of bad
thing: it is SO hard to help it! Folly and
wrong will 60 their own ways and do their
own work, generally, in spite of one.
"And then, thought Goggs again, still
hopelessly smiling, there is that railroad
bond y
There was that railroad bond. indeed,
fast in the brown boys brown hand, on
Thursday night; and there was Goggs
with Painter and Burnett skulking about
the college yard outside of the Treasurer's
Office, waiting for Peters and the 'profes-
sional gentlemen" from New Cork. That
was at eleven o'clock. The affair was ar
ranged to come off at half-past. So that
Goggs had half an hour in which to skulk
and think.
If you had been in Goggs' place, what
would you have thought?
Well! that is just what Goggs thought.
but I won't see the papers," conclud-
ed Goggs. ''I'll see the fun but not the
papers"
Now. as we all very we'll know, Goggs
was doing exceedingly wrong, and he
might have broken his mothers heart,
besides getting into States prison-but
what can kdo about it? Goggs did not
repent. and go back to his room at the last
moment-but how can l help it?
The half hour, and the professional
gentlemen, and Peters, came together
promptly.
From the station" whispered Peters
hoarsely, Train 8 just in. had to wait
an hour and quarter for 'em, hid behind
telegraph pole the whole confounded
time!'
you hold your blab." said one of the
professional gentlemen, politely.
"Heave ahead, and show the job"
It was dark night, and very windy.
A dozen times, on the college steps, Goggs
was sure he heard the Calculus Professor
striding up the broad walk under the
trees. A dozen times, while the profess
sional gentlemen were fitting forged keys
to the lock of the outer door (Which they
did with the utmost ease,) Peters swore
that there was tutor about somewhere,
calling through the wind.
Through the outer door, through the
entry door. through the Office door, into
the Office, the professional gentlemen, with
Peters and Burnett and Painter and Goggs
behind them, made their noiseless, skill
full, wonderful way.
In the middle of the Treasdrer's Office
the dark, little, awful, reproachful room
they all paused.
"'Pon my word" said Peters. just over
his breath, Il most wish there'd been
some other way. We offered the. printer
two hundred down for one proof of the
confoundcd things; but he wouldn't take
four. This is our last throw. 'pon my
word. But pom my word, most wish
- Hurry up there, can't your
"A-a-ah p said the burg glar at last,
with soft admiring whistle, wasn't that
neat, nowp
AS he rose from his knees, the safe
door, with sound lock and velvet hinge,
swung solemnly open.
IA match !'' said one of the profession
al gentlemen.
All the boys felt in their pockets at
once.
"Only one at a time" said the other
professional gentleman: ''One at time,
and be spry. We've done our biz; you
tend to your'n.'
The two burglars stepped back step
or two from the open safe, and Peters and
Painters stepped up. Peters struck
match and held it down; his hand shook.
You'll drop it and set everything a.
fire p growled Painter.
Painter got down on his knees and
glared into the safe.
He drew something out.
He held it up to Peters match.
Goggs and Burnett held their breath.
One OF the burglars, not much interested,
yawned audibly. His share of the work
was over. He was in hurry to get a.
way.
Got 'em p whispered Goggs. shaking
all over.
''Yes!"
whats the matter. then :"
Something was the matter. Painter
threw down the-packet which he held with