The Osceola times., 1877-03-17
CLOSE YOUR SHUTTERS.

II was between ten and eleven o'clock
on a wet and chilly evening in Novcm
her, that ] sat alone by my comfortable
library fire. My sister and nieces had
gone 10 a party, and the servants had re-
tired, the kitchen, being as is generally
tho case at the south, building de.
tached from the house.
had been very busy settling some
household and other accounts, and count.
ing money just collected, to be next day
deposited in bank. Having now con-
Cluded this business, put away my
books and papers. carefully locked the
money In q private drawer of my secre-
tary; then, producing decanter and
little brass kettle, was presently calmly
imbibing steaming beverage Of sugar,
lemon,juice, water and one or two other
ingredients-a sovereign remedy against
cold. Not that ! was as yet affected
with that complaint; but am believer
in the adage that "an ounce OF preven-
tive is worth a pound of cure"
! was just falling int state of luxu-
Tious drowsiness, when slight noise at
my window aroused me. listened. and
the sound was repeated. The library, !
may observe, was on the first parlor-foor
cf the house, and the window was about
eight feet from the pavement.
Rising, opened the window and saw
two figures standing on the portco of
the adjoining house, which, by-the-bye,
had been for some time unoccupied.
The dim light Of the nearest strcet-lamp
showed one Of these men mufllcd in a
great coat, whilst from beneath the loose
cloak Of the other caught q CLEAN of
the belt and buttons Of policeman s
uniform.
I" want to speak 10 YOU" said the
latter, leaning forward and speaking in a
low voice. am officer Perrin of the
Third district. Open the door, but do it
with as little noise as possible"
l ebeycd, and found the two men
standing on the threshold. Officer Per
rim, rs ] ccnlronted him, looked not al
me, but beyond me, over my shoulder,
into the farthest recesses of The hall, as
though searching for some one. Then,
with silent salute, he entered, followed
rather Reluctantly, IL sccmcd--by the
other man, and both tiptoed noisciessly
ACROSS the hall into the library. But
first, To my surprise, the policeman, on
my turning the key in the door, had
tried the bolt, and, removing the key,
silently handed IL to me.
In the library Perrin turned TO me.
You are Mr.. Sanders, presume" ;"
he said in the same low voice as before,
whilst he carefully shook the rain-drops
from his oil-skin cap.
"Yes."
Have you, or has one of the house.
hold, admitted any person at the front
door within the last quarter of an hour ?"
No; am alone in the house. No
one has entered but yourselves"
The two exchanged glances and signi.
fcant mods.
"Then," resumed Perrin impress lively,
have 10 inform you don't be startled
or make any exclamation-thatt there i.
probably at this moment burglar in the
house."
"a burg"
He checked me with a motion of hi.
finger, and at the same time turned hi.
ear IN listening attitude towards the
door Of the dning-room, adjoining.
"What room is that 2"
told him. He turned on a full blaze
Of gas, went to the door, drawing a pistol
rs he did 30, listened moment or two.
then, opening the door wide, razed
around with keen, searching eyes.
Is the farthest door locked? And
those closets?"
believe 50; but he proceeded IN in.
vestigate for himself, still holding the
cooked pistol in his hand, and said. as he
nodded toward the plate on the closet
shelves:
II is here that they will naturally
try. No doubt it is this that they are
alter, unless you have other valuabies in
the house."
Nothing, except the ladies' iewelry."
That is up stairs, ! suppose? We
will first search this hsor thorourhly
and then proceed above"
But, said a little nervously "what
leads you to suppose that there are burg
lars in the house ?"
i was coming up Foushee street ius,
now-not on duty tonight, you see
when met this gentleman here Mr.
eh ?n
Goodman - James Goodman Bel.
win furniture factory" said the man in
the great coat, speaking for the first
time.
All. He stopped me, and said he
mai Just seen something suspicious-a
man standing ir the portico of the next
house here, leaning over and stealthiIv
looking in at lighted window this
window, you see."
Good gracious." said /, remember.
ing the money had been counting.
That led me TO watching him y said
Goodman, taking up the narrative ~.
stepped into dark doorway. and saw
him come down and 60 up the front steps
OF this house. He stood there A con.
adorable time, now and then steopinr
down, a. If doing something TO the LOCK-
Then the door opened and he went In y
>" But the door was locked on the in.
side" said:
The policeman shrugged his shoulders.
I" Not much of an obstacle TO this ci.s.
OF citizens. When you examine that
lock tomorrow you'll find something
wrong with IT,"
" What's TO be done ?" inquired in
some agitation.
" Capture the fellow" returned Perrin
cody, ~ he examined the lock Of his re.
voiver, and carefully placed on a new
cap. IF / can count ON you two. the
ttfpe cnn = dene q 0nos.T
z HI n ri pned y III iind Of bus.
- - ~ Gooamaq |eslta, !
II55t ~ 81 ls2 i $50 /, sss...s |