The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-01-27

had to tell her. described each thrill
,, ing incident with such dramatic force
that she ayerred that nothing would ever
induce her In my absence to sleep in the
house again. This was perhaps but the
just punishment for trlfe of exaggera-
ton In the narrative with which had
here and there INDUCED myself, but ii
was very unfortunate. Now and then ]
find myself detained In town, after dining
at the club, by circumstances over which
I have no control (such as a rubber at
Whist, which will sometimes stretch like
india-rubber), and hitherto had only
had to telegraph in the afternoon to e1-
press my regret that there was a posi-
bility of my non-return. Here was an
end to all this, unless I could reassure
her. I therefore began to dwell upon
the unlikelihood of second burglar
ever visiting the house, which I COM
pared with that famous hole made by a
cannon ball, said to be place Of secu-
rity from cannon balls for evermore.
'sOh, don't tell me, cried my wife,
with just trace Of impatient irritation
In her voice. Hark goodness gra-
cious, what is that coming along the
road ?"
she thought it was burglar on horse
back, whereas, if I may so express it, it
was the very contrary namely, the
horse patrol.
"Knock at the window; call him in.
claimed. had no alternative, since she
said "insist las any married man will
understand, but to accede to her wishes
so I went out and told the patrol what
had happened.
How long ago was the fellow here,
sir?" he inquired.
"More than an hour. It is quite out
of the question you can overtake him.
And besides, / really think he is repen-
tant, and means for the future to lead an
honest life"
"You do, do you? ?" said the patrol, in
that sort of compassionate tone of vol ee
in which the visitor of a lunatic asylum
addresses an inmate warranted harmless.
"Well, as I am here, I'll just go over
the house and make sure there is no
more of them. 1t is not impossible,
you see, he may have left pal behind
him."
"Thavc was only one pair of boots. :"
said confidently; "of that l am GER
tain"
Nevertheless, as I felt it would be a
satisfaction to my wife, acceded to his
request. He tied his horse to the scrap
er, and came in with his lantern, and
looked about him. There was nobody
in the front hall, OF course, for I had just
come through it; in the drawing room
nobody, in the vestibule nobody-but
on the table where they had stood before
stood pair of gigantic navvy's boots.
"What dye think of that % whispered
the patrol, pointing to one of them.
"They're the same I answered in
hushed amazement, "they're the very
same. could swear to them among a
thousand. What can it mean?"
"Well, it means that the gentleman
who was going to lead a new life," he
answered dryly, "has thought better Of
it and has come back again.
And so he had. We found him lying
in the very same place under the dresser,
awaiting, 1 suppose. events.
40 Lor is thatyou, Mr.. Policeman p"
he SAID, complainingly. "Then, it's all
up"
Ii he had had to deal with me alone,
Unexpected, perhaps, to have got another
haf-ciown out Of me. But the great
probability was, he had doubtless argued
that all suspicion of burglars, for that
night at least, would have died out, and
that he would have had the undisputed
range of the house. 1t was bold game,
but one in which all the chances seemed
to be on his side.
[ helped to fasten a strong strap to his
wrist, which was already attached to
that of the horse patrols. "And now, y
said the latter coolly, eve will go and
put on our boots"
For the second time that night I saw
| that operation accomplished by my bur-
glar, for the second time saw him walk
off, though on this occasion q captive
to his mounted companion. I did
not wish, as the Judges say when
they put on the black cap, to add poign-
ancy to the feelings of the unhappy man
Che was on ticket of-leave, and presently
got five years penal servitude), but I
could not help saying:
s. [ think you ought to have been con-
tent with your supper and half-a-crown,
and not come here again, at all events
in search Of plumber"
This argument, it seemed. had no sort
of weight with him gratitude was un.
known to that savage breast. Like
many more civilized individuals, he at
tributed his misfortunes to his own
virtue.
"No, sir, it amt that" he answered
scornfully. "Im the victim of perses
verance."